Scorpion

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Following Home Service commissions, Scorpion undertook a commission in the Mediterranean during 1955 and 1956, after which she was placed in reserve. In 1957 all Weapon-class destroyers started conversions to radar pickets, which involved the removal of their torpedo tubes. Scorpion underwent her conversion at Devonport Dockyard and was fitted with an extra mast to carry a large AKE-1 antenna. She was the last Weapon-class vessel to re-commission in 1959 and was part of the 7th Destroyer Squadron until being placed in reserve in April 1963. After decommissioning, Scorpion was used for underwater explosive trials at Rosyth and was finally scrapped at Bo'ness in 1971.

In Their Own Story

In 1954, Scorpion became the sole Weapon-class destroyer to be fitted with the Limbo depth charge mortar, a trial intended to modernise the entire class by replacing the older Squid mortar. The conversion to a radar picket at Devonport Dockyard in 1957 saw her torpedo tubes removed and an extra mast added to carry a large AKE-1 antenna. She was the last of her class to re-commission, in 1959, joining the 7th Destroyer Squadron until she was placed in reserve in April 1963. After decommissioning, she served as a target for underwater explosive trials at Rosyth before being scrapped at Bo'ness in 1971.

Reader's Guide

HMS Scorpion was a Weapon-class destroyer of the British Royal Navy. Key facts: she was originally named Centaur, then Tomahawk, and finally Scorpion in September 1943 before launch. She served from 1947 until scrapping in 1971. She was allocated to the 6th Destroyer Flotilla (later squadron) on commissioning. In 1953 she participated in the Fleet Review for the Coronation of Elizabeth II. In 1954 she was the only Weapon-class ship fitted with the Limbo depth charge mortar as a trial. She served in the Mediterranean during 1955–1956, then was placed in reserve. In 1957 she began conversion to a radar picket at Devonport Dockyard, losing her torpedo tubes and gaining an extra mast with a large AKE-1 antenna. She was the last Weapon-class vessel to re-commission in 1959, serving with the 7th Destroyer Squadron until April 1963. After decommissioning, she was used for underwater explosive trials at Rosyth and scrapped at Bo'ness in 1971.

Did You Know?

• HMS Scorpion was originally named Centaur, then Tomahawk, before being renamed Scorpion in September 1943.
• In 1954, Scorpion was the only Weapon-class destroyer fitted with the Limbo depth charge mortar as a trial to modernise the class.
• During her 1957 radar picket conversion at Devonport Dockyard, Scorpion had her torpedo tubes removed and an extra mast added for a large AKE-1 antenna.
• Scorpion was the last Weapon-class vessel to re-commission, in 1959.
• After decommissioning, Scorpion was used for underwater explosive trials at Rosyth before being scrapped at Bo'ness in 1971.