700-010 A CLASS DESTROYER HMS ARDENT/ HMS ACASTA

HMS Ardent (H41) was a British destroyer, the keel of which was laid in July 1928, launched in June 1929, and entered service with the Royal Navy in 1930. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 98.5 m, width 9.83 m, with a standard displacement of about 1,370 tons. In turn, the maximum speed was up to 35 knots. The ship's armament at the time of launching consisted of: 4 single 120 mm guns, 2 single 40 mm anti-aircraft guns, 8 533 mm torpedo tubes and a small supply of depth charges. HMS Ardent (H41) was one of nine A class destroyers. The design of this type of destroyer was derived from the experience gained from the operation of HMS Amazon and HMS Ambuscade. Compared to these two ships, A-class destroyers were smaller and significantly cheaper to build. At the same time, they were slightly better equipped and had a further swimming range. They also had considerable trawling capabilities, which were achieved at the expense of the ZOP (anti-submarine) capabilities. HMS Ardent (H41) initially operated in the Mediterranean, and in 1936 made cruises in the waters surrounding Spain. In 1938 it was modernized, including the installation of the ASDIC system. In the first months of World War II, it operated mainly in its home waters, and in April 1940 took part in the Norwegian campaign. HMS Ardent (H41) was sunk on June 8, 1940.