Destroyer histories. Royal naval Town Class destroyer 1st and 2nd groups. Destroyer website dedicated to the history of HMS Lewes, HMS Leeds and HMS Ludlow from their launch to their participation in major wars also notice board for families of ex-crew of Town Class destroyers.

Specifications for HMS Lewes

Displacement: 1,020 tons   Speed: 30kts    Complement: 146

Armament: Two 2 pdr anti-aircraft guns.  Five 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

HMS Lewes was built at Norfolk shipyard on the 29th June 1918 and named USS Craven and then USS Conway.  HMS  Lewes arrived at Devonport ,Plymouth on the 17th November 1940. while in refit she was damaged during a air raid on the 22nd April 1941. which caused a delay in her joining  service, finally arriving at Rosyth in February 1942. She served for 10 months on the east Coast command. before being refitted as an SAir target Ship, serving until March 1943. after this date she was transferred to Capetown as part of the South Atlantic Command.  continuing service as a Air target Ship, except for one occassion escorting Convoy WS29. and one other trip to Casablanca..  HMS Lewes continued her travels becoming the Air Target Ship at Ceylon for the East Indies Fleet. HMS Lewes was also used on some supply convoy duties to Addu Atoll during September 1944. In 1945 she went to Sydney as part of the new British Pacific Fleet. HMS Lewes  was the last of the "Town Class" to be scrapped. finally being scuttled on the 25th May 1946 off Sydney, Australia.

.

 HMS Ludlow 

HMS Ludlow built by Cramp on the 17th July 1917 and named USS Stockton. On the 23rd October 1940 arriving for refit at Devonport, Plymouth on the 17th November 1940 completing for service 1st March 1941. joining the Rosyth command. HMS Ludlow served on convoy duty for east  Coast convoys for the entire war. She was stripped of all useful salvage and then beached and used for target practice for rocket firing aircraft.  The remains of HMS Ludlow can probably still be seen at low tide off Findra Island on the Forth.

HMS Leeds

HMS Leeds was built by Cramp, the same as her sister ship and launched on the 21st August 1917. and named USS Conner (DD72). arrived at Devonport, Plymouth for refit  on the 17th November 1940 finally being completed on the 2nd March 1941. her time was spent on escort duty on the eats Coast convoys but spent half of the time in Docks for repairs and refit.  HMS Leeds was finally paid off in April 1945 and broken up at T W Ward ltd, at Grays Essex on the 19th January 1949.

Displacement: 1,020 tons   Speed: 30kts    Complement: 164

Armament: Two 4 inch guns, two 2 pdr anti-aircraft guns and four 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

Contact Details
Shipping Info
Terms and Conditions
Cookie Policy
Privacy Policy

Sign Up To Our Newsletter!

Stay up to date with all our latest offers, deals and events as well as new releases and exclusive subscriber content!

This website is owned by Cranston Fine Arts.  Torwood House, Torwoodhill Road, Rhu, Helensburgh, Scotland, G848LE

Contact: Tel: (+44) (0) 1436 820269.  Email: cranstonorders -at- outlook.com