HMS Acheron (H45)
HMS Acheron | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | |
| Name | HMS Acheron |
| Namesake | Acheron, a river in Greek mythology |
| Ordered | 29 May 1928 |
| Builder | John I. Thornycroft & Company, Woolston, Hampshire |
| Laid down | 29 October 1928 |
| Launched | 18 March 1930 |
| Commissioned | 13 October 1931 |
| Motto | "Post tenebras lux" (After darkness light) |
| Fate | Sunk, 17 December 1940 after hitting a mine |
| Badge | On a Field Black, barry wavy of 4 Silver. |
| General characteristics (as built) | |
| Class & type | A-class destroyer |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 323 ft (98 m) (o/a) |
| Beam | 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m) |
| Draught | 12 ft 3 in (3.73 m) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 × shafts; 2 × geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
| Range | 4,800 nmi (8,900 km; 5,500 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) |
| Complement | 134; 140 (1940) |
| Armament |
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HMS Acheron was an A-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. The ship was built by John I. Thornycroft & Company at their Woolston, Hampshire shipyard, and was launched on 18 March 1930, completing in October 1931. Acheron differed from other ships of her class in having experimental high pressure machinery, but this caused the ship to suffer mechanical problems throughout her career.
Between 1932 and 1936, Acheron served with the British Mediterranean Fleet, before returning to British waters where she was relegated to training duties. Acheron served during the Second World War in Home waters and off the Norwegian coast, before becoming an early war loss when she sank after hitting a mine off the Isle of Wight on 17 December 1940. The wreck site is designated under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.