HMS Grebe

HMS Grebe was a Royal Navy river gunboat of the Insect-class. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders, Poplar, London, she was launched on 27 November 1915 and commissioned in 1916.

As an Insect-class gunboat, Grebe was designed for shallow-water operations and saw extensive service on rivers in various theatres of war. During World War I, she operated in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), providing fire support to land forces and patrolling the Tigris River.

After World War I, Grebe continued her service, often being deployed to areas of unrest or conflict where a British naval presence was required. Like her sister ships, she was lightly armed to allow for a shallow draft and maneuverability. Her armament typically consisted of two 6-inch guns and several smaller weapons for close-range defence.

The Insect-class gunboats were known for their longevity and versatility, and Grebe was no exception. She served throughout the interwar period and into World War II, again seeing action in the Middle East.

Grebe was eventually sold for scrap in 1948, marking the end of her long and distinguished career in the Royal Navy.