This was a 'D' class destroyer of which 9 were built between 1931 - 33. The Daring being completed on 25 November 1932 by Thorneycroft & Co. Her length was 329' (100m), beam 33', (10m), depth 8.5' and she was 1375 tons. Guns were 4x4.7in LA and 2x2pdr AA, she also carried 8x21in torpedo tubes. The vessel had a normal compliment of 145 and the steam turbine engines and 3-drum boilers developed 36,000shp giving a top speed of 35.5kts.
The wartime HMS Daring was one of four destroyers escorting a convoy from Norway. On February 18 at 02.55hrs, 40 miles (75km), east of Duncansby Head, the convoy was spotted by U-Boat 23 commanded by Otto Kretschmer, but while still on the surface U-23 became trapped between the two port-side escorts. To escape she attacked the stern destroyer, HMS Daring. Apparently Daring's "darken ship" screens were inadequate, which allowed U-23 to easily target her.
Two torpedoes were fired and at least one of them hit HMS Daring and caused a secondary explosion which broke the vessel in half. She sank in two minutes.
Among those who died was an Isle of Wight sailor who had spent just two days with his new bride before having to leave with the Daring. He was Acting PO Charlie Webster, an only son. His father, Harry, was a member of the Royal Marines Light Infantry, killed in November 1914 when the old battleship HMS Bulwark blew up as she was taking on ammunition at Sheerness.
HMS Daring had a compliment of 162 at the time, of whom nine officers including Cdr S. A. Cooper and 148 ratings were killed. For a full list of the names of those killed click here.
Sunk at German position AN1692. Possible positions 58 38 50N, 01 45 00W or 58 27 00N, 01 37 00W or 58 37 00N, 01 06 00W.
The wartime HMS Daring was one of four destroyers escorting a convoy from Norway. On February 18 at 02.55hrs, 40 miles (75km), east of Duncansby Head, the convoy was spotted by U-Boat 23 commanded by Otto Kretschmer, but while still on the surface U-23 became trapped between the two port-side escorts. To escape she attacked the stern destroyer, HMS Daring. Apparently Daring's "darken ship" screens were inadequate, which allowed U-23 to easily target her.
Two torpedoes were fired and at least one of them hit HMS Daring and caused a secondary explosion which broke the vessel in half. She sank in two minutes.
Among those who died was an Isle of Wight sailor who had spent just two days with his new bride before having to leave with the Daring. He was Acting PO Charlie Webster, an only son. His father, Harry, was a member of the Royal Marines Light Infantry, killed in November 1914 when the old battleship HMS Bulwark blew up as she was taking on ammunition at Sheerness.
HMS Daring had a compliment of 162 at the time, of whom nine officers including Cdr S. A. Cooper and 148 ratings were killed. For a full list of the names of those killed click here.
Sunk at German position AN1692. Possible positions 58 38 50N, 01 45 00W or 58 27 00N, 01 37 00W or 58 37 00N, 01 06 00W.