HMS Teazer (pennant number R23) was a T-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, built during the Second World War as part of the 1940 Emergency Programme.
Construction and Design Ordered on 14 March 1941, Teazer was laid down by Cammell Laird at Birkenhead on 20 October 1941. She was launched on 7 January 1943 and commissioned into service on 12 April 1943. As a T-class destroyer, she was designed for escort duties, anti-submarine warfare, and general fleet support, armed with 4.7-inch guns and torpedo tubes.
Service History Teazer saw active service throughout the latter half of the Second World War:
- Mediterranean Theatre: Upon commissioning, Teazer joined the Mediterranean Fleet. She participated in various operations, including escort duties for convoys to and from North Africa, support for Allied landings in Italy (such as the Salerno landings), and shore bombardments along the Italian coast. She was involved in operations in the Adriatic Sea, engaging enemy shipping and providing fire support for land forces.
- Far East Operations: In 1945, Teazer was transferred to the British Pacific Fleet. She participated in the final stages of the war against Japan, including operations off Okinawa and the Japanese mainland, providing screening for larger units and undertaking patrol duties.
Post-War and Fate After the war, Teazer returned to the United Kingdom and was placed in reserve. In 1949, her pennant number was changed from R23 to D23 as part of a general re-organisation of Royal Navy pennant numbers.
In the mid-1950s, she underwent a partial conversion to a Type 16 anti-submarine frigate, a programme intended to modernize a number of older destroyers for specialized anti-submarine roles. However, due to changing naval priorities and budget constraints, Teazer was not recommissioned for active service following her conversion. She remained in reserve until being deemed surplus to requirements.
HMS Teazer was sold for scrap in February 1965 and subsequently broken up at Inverkeithing.