HMS Crusader (H60)

HMS Crusader (H60) was a C-class destroyer of the Royal Navy, launched in 1931. She served throughout the Second World War, participating in numerous operations in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Arctic theatres.

Crusader was built by Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan. As a C-class destroyer, she was primarily designed for fleet support and anti-submarine warfare. She carried a standard armament of four 4.7-inch guns, along with anti-aircraft weaponry and torpedo tubes.

During the early stages of the war, Crusader was involved in convoy escort duties in the Atlantic. In 1941, she participated in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck. Later, she transferred to the Mediterranean, where she took part in various operations, including convoy escorts to Malta and support for Allied landings.

In 1942, Crusader was involved in the Arctic convoys, enduring harsh weather conditions and constant threat from German U-boats and aircraft while protecting vital supplies bound for the Soviet Union. She also saw action in the Indian Ocean later in the war.

HMS Crusader survived the Second World War and was scrapped in 1946. Her wartime service was recognized with numerous battle honours.