| HMS Zulu (F18) | |
|---|---|
 HMS Zulu | |
| Career (UK) |  |
| Name: | HMS Zulu |
| Builder: | Alexander Stephen and Sons |
| Laid down: | 10 August 1936 |
| Launched: | 23 September 1937 |
| Commissioned: | 7 September 1938 |
| Fate: | Lost to Italian aircraft off Tobruk, 14 September 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class & type: | Tribal-class destroyer |
| Displacement: | 1,870 long tons (1,900 t) |
| Length: | 344 ft (105 m) |
| Beam: | 36 ft 6 in (11.13 m) |
| Installed power: | 44,000 shp (33,000 kW) |
| Propulsion: |
2 × Parsons geared steam turbines 2 × shafts |
| Speed: | 36 kn ([convert: unknown unit]) |
| Complement: | 190 |
| Armament: | 8 × 4.7 in (120 mm) dual purpose guns, 7 × smaller guns , 4 × 21 in (530 mm) torpedo tubes |
The second HMS Zulu (pennant number L18, later F18) was a Tribal-class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was built in Glasgow by Alexander Stephen and Sons. Her keel was laid down on 10 August 1936. She was launched on 23 September 1937 and commissioned on 7 September 1938. She had the task of scuttling Coventry after she was damaged in an air raid.
On 4 August 1942, Zulu — together with Sikh, Croome and Tetcott — sank the German submarine U-372 off Haifa. Zulu's commanding officer — Commander R.T. White, D.S.O.* — was Mentioned in Despatches for his efforts in sinking U-372.
Zulu was sunk by Italian Macchi C.200 Saetta fighter-bombers on 14 September 1942, after bombarding Tobruk, following the rescue of Sikh. The two ships were covering a commando raid at Tobruk (see: Operation Agreement). Shore batteries hit Sikh which began to sink. White manoeuvred his ship to try to rescue Sikh and her crew, attaching lines to her to drag her out of danger, having laid a smokescreen. Sikh eventually sank but Zulu succeeded in saving the lives of a number of her crew. Aircraft continued to attack Zulu and she finally succumbed, sinking the following day.
Notes
References
- Brice, Martin H. (1971). The Tribals. London: Ian Allan. ISBN 0-7110-0245-2.
- English, John (2001ISBN 0-905617-95-0). Afridi to Nizam: British Fleet Destroyers 1937–43. Gravesend, Kent: World Ship Society.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to HMS Zulu (F18). |
- Uboat.net
- HMS Cavalier.org
- www.Unit histories.com White, Richard Taylor
Coordinates: 32°0′N 28°56′E / 32°N 28.933°E
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