HMS Virago (R75)
Encyclopedia
HMS Virago (R75) was an V-class
destroyer
of the British
Royal Navy
that saw service during World War II
. She was later converted into a Type 15
fast anti-submarine
frigate
, with the new pennant number
F76.
She participated with other British destroyers in the Battle of North Cape
, where her torpedoes sank the badly beaten , following a fierce fight between the battleship and .
During the Invasion of Normandy she fired on German positions behind Lion Sur Mer on Sword beach, and gave cover fire for troops advancing inland.
She participated in the Battle of the Malacca Strait with HMS Saumarez
, Verulam
, Venus
and Vigilant
which culminated in the sinking of the Japanese cruiser Haguro
on the 16 May 1945.
In 1946, Virago and participated in the rescue of crew from the British tanker
, which caught fire, exploded and sank at Haifa
, Palestine, with the loss of up to 25 lives.
U and V class destroyer
The U and V class was a class of sixteen destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1942–1943. They were constructed in two flotillas, each with names beginning with "U-" or "V-"...
destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
that saw service during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was later converted into a Type 15
Type 15 frigate
The Type 15 frigate was a class of British anti-submarine frigates of the Royal Navy. They were conversions based on the hulls of World War II-era destroyers built to the standard War Emergency Programme "utility" design.-History:...
fast anti-submarine
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
, with the new pennant number
Pennant number
In the modern Royal Navy, and other navies of Europe and the Commonwealth, ships are identified by pennant numbers...
F76.
She participated with other British destroyers in the Battle of North Cape
Battle of North Cape
The Battle of the North Cape was a Second World War naval battle which occurred on 26 December 1943, as part of the Arctic Campaign. The German battlecruiser , on an operation to attack Arctic Convoys of war materiel from the Western Allies to the USSR, was brought to battle and sunk by superior...
, where her torpedoes sank the badly beaten , following a fierce fight between the battleship and .
During the Invasion of Normandy she fired on German positions behind Lion Sur Mer on Sword beach, and gave cover fire for troops advancing inland.
She participated in the Battle of the Malacca Strait with HMS Saumarez
HMS Saumarez (G12)
HMS Saumarez was an S class destroyer of the Royal Navy, completed on 1 July 1943. As a flotilla leader, her standard displacement was 20 tons heavier than other ships of her class...
, Verulam
HMS Verulam (R28)
HMS Verulam was an V-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F29....
, Venus
HMS Venus (R50)
HMS Venus was a V-class destroyer of the Royal Navy that saw service during the Second World War. She was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, of Govan, Scotland and launched on 23 February 1943...
and Vigilant
HMS Vigilant (R93)
HMS Vigilant was an V-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy that saw service during World War II. She was later converted into a Type 15 fast anti-submarine frigate, with the new pennant number F93....
which culminated in the sinking of the Japanese cruiser Haguro
Japanese cruiser Haguro
|-External reference links: -External links:**...
on the 16 May 1945.
In 1946, Virago and participated in the rescue of crew from the British tanker
Tank ship
A tanker is a ship designed to transport liquids in bulk. Major types of tankship include the oil tanker, the chemical tanker, and the liquefied natural gas carrier.-Background:...
, which caught fire, exploded and sank at Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
, Palestine, with the loss of up to 25 lives.