HMS Fortune (H70)

HMS Fortune (H70) was an F-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy in the 1930s. She served extensively during World War II. One of nine ships in her class, Fortune was ordered in March 1933, laid down at the John Brown & Company shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, on 5 May 1933, launched on 20 March 1934, and commissioned on 27 November 1934.

The F-class destroyers were designed as improved versions of the earlier A-class. They displaced 1,350 long tons (1,370 t) at standard load and 1,861 long tons (1,891 t) at deep load. The ships had an overall length of 339 feet 6 inches (103.5 m), a beam of 33 feet 9 inches (10.3 m) and a draught of 12 feet 6 inches (3.8 m). They were powered by Parsons geared steam turbines, driving two shafts, which developed a total of 36,000 shaft horsepower (27,000 kW) and gave a maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). Steam for the turbines was provided by three Admiralty 3-drum water-tube boilers. The Fortune carried a maximum of 470 long tons (480 t) of fuel oil that gave them a range of 4,800 nautical miles (8,900 km; 5,500 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph). The ship's complement was 145 officers and ratings.

Her main armament consisted of four 4.7-inch (120 mm) Mark IX guns in single mounts, designated 'A', 'B', 'X' and 'Y' from front to rear. For anti-aircraft (AA) defence, Fortune had two quadruple mounts for the 0.5 inch Vickers Mark III machine gun. She also mounted two quadruple torpedo tube mounts for 21-inch (533 mm) torpedoes. One depth charge rail and two throwers were fitted; 20 depth charges were originally carried, but this increased to 35 shortly after the war began.

During World War II, HMS Fortune participated in various operations, including convoy escort duties in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. She took part in the Norwegian Campaign in 1940 and the evacuation of Dunkirk. Fortune also saw action in the Mediterranean theatre, including the Battle of Cape Matapan in 1941. She was later transferred to the Eastern Fleet and participated in operations in the Indian Ocean.

HMS Fortune survived the war and was sold for scrap on 11 February 1949, arriving at Troon for breaking up on 19 April 1949.