View source for HMAS Napier (G97)

{{other ships|HMS Napier}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMS Napier during the Second World War IWM photo A13956.jpg
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Napier''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=Australia
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|Australia|naval-1913}}
|Ship namesake=Admiral Sir [[Charles John Napier|Charles Napier]]
|Ship ordered=1939
|Ship builder=[[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering]]
|Ship laid down=26 July 1939
|Ship launched=22 May 1940
|Ship commissioned=28 November 1940
|Ship decommissioned=25 October 1945
|Ship motto=
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=*'''Battle honours:'''
*[[Battle of Crete|Crete]] 1941
*Libya 1941
*[[Indian Ocean in World War II|Indian Ocean]] 1942–44
*[[Burma campaign|Burma]] 1944–45
*[[South West Pacific theatre of World War II|Pacific]] 1945
*[[Battle of Okinawa|Okinawa]] 1945
|Ship fate=Returned to Royal Navy 1945 and scrapped 1956
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=(as built)
|Ship class= [[J-, K- and N-class destroyer|N-class]] [[destroyer]]
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|1773|LT|t}} ([[Standard displacement|standard]])
*{{convert|2384|LT|t}} ([[deep load]])
|Ship length= {{convert|356|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}} ([[Length overall|o/a]])
|Ship beam= {{convert|35|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship draught= {{convert|12|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on|1}}
|Ship power=*{{convert|40000|shp|lk=in|abbr=on}}
*2 × [[Admiralty 3-drum boiler]]s
|Ship propulsion= 2 shafts; 2 [[steam turbine]]s
|Ship speed= {{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}
|Ship range= {{convert|5500|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|15|kn}}
|Ship complement=183
|Ship sensors=*[[ASDIC]]
*[[Type 285 radar|Type 285 gunnery radar]]
*[[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 286|Type 286 radar]] surface-search radar 
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=*3 × twin [[QF 4.7-inch Mk IX & XII naval gun|QF 4.7-inch (120&nbsp;mm) Mk XII guns]]
* 1 × single [[QF 4-inch naval gun Mk V|QF 4-inch Mk V (102&nbsp;mm)]] [[AA gun]]
* 4 × single [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|{{convert|20|mm|1|abbr=on}} Oerlikon]] AA guns
* 2 × twin [[Vickers .50 machine gun|QF 0.5-inch (12.7&nbsp;mm) Mk III]] machineguns
* 1 × quintuple [[British 21-inch torpedo|21-inch (533&nbsp;mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s 
*45 × [[depth charge]]s, 1 × rack, 2 × throwers
}}
|}
'''HMAS ''Napier'' (G97/D13)''' was an [[J-, K- and N-class destroyer|N-class]] [[destroyer]] serving in the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) during World War II. Built during 1939 and 1940, the destroyer was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] into the RAN, although she was ordered and owned by the British government. During 1941, ''Napier'' operated in the Mediterranean, before being transferred to the [[British Eastern Fleet]] at the start of 1942, then to south Atlantic operations in early 1944. In 1945, ''Napier'' was assigned to the [[British Pacific Fleet]], and spent the rest of World War II in the fight against Japan. After the war's end, the destroyer was [[Ship commissioning#Ship decommissioning|decommissioned]] and returned to the British. She was sold off in 1955, and [[ship breaking|broken up]] in 1956.

==Design and construction==
The [[J-, K- and N-class destroyer|N-class destroyer]] had a [[displacement (ship)|displacement]] of 1,760 tons at standard load, and 2,353 tons at full load.<ref name=Cassells51>Cassells, ''The Destroyers'', p. 51</ref> ''Napier'' was {{convert|356|ft|6|in|m}} [[length overall|long overall]] and {{convert|229|ft|6|in|m}} long [[between perpendiculars]], had a [[beam (ship)|beam]] of {{convert|35|ft|8|in|m}}, and a maximum draught of {{convert|16|ft|4|in|m}}.<ref name=Cassells51/> Propulsion was provided by [[Admiralty 3-drum boiler]]s connected to Parsons geared steam turbines, which provided 40,000 shaft horsepower to the ship's two propellers.<ref name=Cassells52>Cassells, ''The Destroyers'', p. 52</ref> ''Napier'' was capable of reaching {{convert|36|kn|lk=in}}.<ref name=Cassells51/> The ship's company consisted of 226 officers and sailors.<ref name=Cassells52/>

The ship's armament consisted of six [[QF 4.7-inch Mk IX & XII naval gun|4.7-inch QF Mark XII guns]] in three twin mounts, a single [[QF 4-inch naval gun Mk V|4-inch QF Mark V gun]], a [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|2-pounder 4-barrel Pom Pom]], four [[0.5 inch Vickers machine gun|0.5-inch machine guns]], four [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns]], four [[Lewis gun|.303 Lewis machine guns]], two Pentad dual torpedo launcher tube sets (with 8 torpedoes carried), two [[depth-charge]] throwers and one depth-charge chute (with 45 charges carried).<ref name=Cassells51.2>Cassells, ''The Destroyers'', pp. 51–2</ref> The 4-inch gun was removed later in ''Napier''{{'}}s career.<ref name=Cassells51/>

''Napier'' was the first of the eight-ship N class laid down under the [[War Emergency Programme destroyers|War Emergency Programme]] when construction started at the [[Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering]] Company shipyard in [[Govan]], Scotland on 26 July 1939.<ref name=Cassells51.2/> The destroyer was launched on 22 May 1940 by the wife of one of the company directors, and was commissioned into the RAN on 28 November 1940.<ref name=Cassells52/> Although commissioned as an Australian warship, ''Napier'' remained the property of the Royal Navy.<ref name=SPC>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-napier|title=HMAS Napier |accessdate=15 September 2008 |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia}}</ref> The ship was named after Scottish Admiral Sir [[Charles John Napier|Charles Napier]], with the [[ship's badge]] taken from the family coat of arms, and cost 403,960 pounds to build.<ref name=Cassells52/>

==Operating history==
During the ship's first weeks of operation, several sailors threatened to mutiny by refusing to leave the mess decks; this was defused when the ship's first lieutenant humorously threatened to "flog 'em out of the mess decks with ropes' ends".<ref>Frame & Baker, ''Mutiny!'', pp. 153–4</ref>

In January 1941, "Napier" carried [[Winston Churchill]] to the Royal Navy base at [[Scapa Flow]] from nearby Scrabster when Churchill accompanied Lord Halifax there for his departure for the United States to serve as British Ambassador.<ref>Larson, Erik. (2020). The Splendid and the Vile. New York. Crown.</ref>

After completing sea trials, ''Napier'' spent the first part of her career operating as a convoy escort in the North Atlantic.<ref name=Cassells52/> ''Napier'' and sister ship {{HMAS|Nestor|G02|2}} were transferred to the Mediterranean, arriving in time to participate in the [[Battle of Crete#Evacuation, 28 May – 1 June|evacuation of Crete]].<ref name=Cassells52/> ''Napier'' was then assigned to [[Port Said]] for {{frac|2|1|2}} months, serving as control ship for the harbour's defence at night, while undergoing repairs and refits in the day.<ref name=Cassells52/> On completion in August, the destroyer was assigned as lead ship of the [[7th Destroyer Flotilla]].<ref name=Cassells52/> During the remainder of the year, ''Napier'' participated in the [[Tobruk Ferry Service]], escorted convoys through the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and transferred troops between Cyprus and Hafia.<ref name=Cassells52/>

At the start of 1942, ''Napier'', ''Nestor'', and {{HMAS|Nizam|G38|2}} were transferred to the [[British Eastern Fleet]].<ref name=Cassells52/> The ships' first task was to escort the carrier {{HMS|Indomitable|R92|6}} to the Malaya-Java area.<ref name=Cassells52/> In June, ''Napier'' and ''Nestor'' returned to the Mediterranean for [[Operation Vigorous]], a major convoy to support besieged [[Malta]].<ref name=Cassells52/> ''Napier'' returned to duties with the Eastern Fleet after the unsuccessful convoy run, and in September participated in the [[Madagascar campaign]], particularly the surrender of [[Majunga]] and the occupation of [[Tamatave]].<ref name=Cassells52/> 

The destroyer commenced patrols of the East Indian Ocean in October, which she continued until March 1943, when she joined the Atlantic anti-submarine force based in South Africa.<ref name="Cassells52" /> At the start of 1944, ''Napier'' was assigned to Indian waters.<ref name="Cassells52" /> Later in the year, the ship sailed to Australia for a long period of refitting at Williamstown, but returned to the Eastern Fleet in early November.<ref name="Cassells52" /> During December, ''Napier'' supported operations of the [[74th Indian Infantry Brigade]].<ref name="Cassells52" /> In January 1945, ''Napier'' took part in landings at Akyab and Ramree.<ref>Gillett & Graham, ''Warships of Australia'', p. 162</ref>

In early 1945, ''Napier'' was reassigned to the [[British Pacific Fleet]], changing her pennant from G97 to D13.<ref name=Cassells51.2/> During May, the destroyer was part of the escort screen for the carrier air raids on [[Sakishima Islands|Sakishima]].<ref name=Cassells53>Cassells, ''The Destroyers'', p. 53</ref> ''Napier'' was present in [[Tokyo Bay]] on [[Victory over Japan Day]] (2 September 1945), when the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]] was signed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-2.htm |title=Allied Ships Present in Tokyo Bay During the Surrender Ceremony, 2 September 1945 |accessdate=13 January 2007 |date=27 May 2005 |publisher=Naval Historical Center – U.S. Navy |quote=Taken from ''Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas (CINCPAC/CINCPOA) A16-3/FF12 Serial 0395, 11 February 1946: Report of Surrender and Occupation of Japan'' |archive-date=5 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205021301/http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq69-2.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> After supporting the occupation landings, the destroyer sailed to Sydney.<ref name=Cassells53/>

''Napier'' earned six [[battle honour]]s for her wartime service: "Crete 1941", "Libya 1941", "Indian Ocean 1942–44", "Burma 1944–45", "Pacific 1945", and "Okinawa 1945".<ref name=newhonours>{{cite news |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |title=Navy Marks 109th Birthday With Historic Changes To Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184920/http://www.navy.gov.au/Navy_Marks_109th_Birthday_With_Historic_Changes_To_Battle_Honours |archivedate=13 June 2011 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref><ref name=honourslist>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |title=Royal Australian Navy Ship/Unit Battle Honours |date=1 March 2010 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614064156/http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Units_entitlement_list.pdf |archivedate=14 June 2011 |accessdate=23 December 2012}}</ref>

==Decommissioning and fate==
The Australian ship's company left on 25 October 1945, and ''Napier'' was returned to the RN.<ref name=SPC/> The ship was not recommissioned, and was sold to [[Thos. W. Ward]] for scrap in 1955.  She arrived at [[Briton Ferry]] in January 1956 for [[ship breaking|breaking]].<ref name=Cassells53/>

==Citations==
{{reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |last=Cassells |first=Vic |title=The Destroyers: Their Battles and Their Badges |year=2000 |publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=East Roseville, New South Wales |isbn=0-7318-0893-2 |oclc=46829686}}
*{{cite book |last=Frame |first=Tom |author2=Baker, Kevin  |title=Mutiny! Naval Insurrections in Australia and New Zealand |publisher=Allen & Unwin |location=St. Leonards, New South Wales |year=2000 |isbn=1-86508-351-8 |oclc=46882022}}
*{{cite book |last1=Gillett |first1=Ross |last2=Graham |first2=Colin |title=Warships of Australia|year=1977 |publisher=Rigby |location=Adelaide, South Australia |isbn=0-7270-0472-7}}

==Further reading==
*{{Cite Colledge2006}}
* {{cite book|last=English|first=John|title=Afridi to Nizam: British Fleet Destroyers 1937–43|publisher=World Ship Society|location=Gravesend, Kent|year=2001|isbn=0-905617-64-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|date=2006|isbn=1-86176-137-6}}
* {{cite book |last=Hodges |first=Peter |author2=Friedman, Norman |title=Destroyer Weapons of World War 2 |year=1979 |publisher=Conway Maritime Press |location=Greenwich |isbn=978-0-85177-137-3 }}
*{{cite book|last=Langtree|first=Charles|title=The Kelly's: British J, K, and N Class Destroyers of World War II |year=2002|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=1-55750-422-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Lenton|first=H. T.|title=British & Empire Warships of the Second World War|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1998|isbn=1-55750-048-7}}
*{{cite book|last=March|first=Edgar J.|title=British Destroyers: A History of Development, 1892–1953; Drawn by Admiralty Permission From Official Records & Returns, Ships' Covers & Building Plans|year=1966|publisher=Seeley Service|location=London |oclc=164893555}}
* {{Cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005|edition=Third Revised|isbn=1-59114-119-2}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitley|first=M. J.|title=Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1988|isbn=0-87021-326-1|location=Annapolis, Maryland}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|HMAS Napier (G97)|HMAS ''Napier'' (G97)}}

{{J, K and N class destroyer}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Napier (G97)}}
[[Category:N-class destroyers of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Govan]]
[[Category:1940 ships]]
[[Category:World War II destroyers of Australia]]