HMS Comet (R26)
HMS "Comet" was one of thirty-two destroyers built for the Royal Navy during the Second World War, a member of the eight-ship Co sub-class. Design and description. The Co sub-class was a repeat of the preceding Ch sub-class. "Comet" displaced at standard load and at deep load. They had an overall length of , a beam of and a deep draught of . The ships were powered by a pair of geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam provided by two Admiralty three-drum boilers. The turbines developed a total of  and gave a speed of at normal load. During her sea trials, "Comet" reached a speed of at a load of . The Co sub-class carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of at . The ships' complement was 186 officers and ratings. The main armament of the destroyers consisted of four QF Mk IV dual-purpose guns, one superfiring pair each fore and aft of the superstructure protected by partial gun shields. Their anti-aircraft suite consisted of one twin-gun stabilised Mk IV "Hazemeyer" mount for Bofors guns and two single 2-pounder (40 mm) AA guns  amidships, and single mounts for a Oerlikon AA gun on the bridge wings. The ships were fitted with one quadruple mount for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes. The ships were equipped with a pair of depth charge rails and two throwers for 35 depth charges. Construction and career. "Comet" was ordered from Yarrow on 12 September 1942 and the ship was laid down on 14 June 1943 at its shipyard in Scotstoun, launched on 22 June 1944 and was commissioned on 6 June 1945. On commissioning "Comet" worked up at Scapa Flow, before carrying out occupation duties at Wilhelmshaven  in Germany in August and October 1945, before leaving for the Far East for service with the British Pacific Fleet, arriving at Kure, Japan in February 1946. She served as part of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla (later the 8th Destroyer Squadron) during her time in the Far East. She returned to the UK for a refit in 1948. She was given an interim modernization and was fitted for minelaying. The ship then served as part of the 6th Destroyer Squadron in the Home Fleet between 1953 and 1957. "Comet" was paid off in February 1958. Following her sale she arrived  at the breakers yard for scrapping at Troon on 23 October 1962.