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[Bruce E. Schwark]

Tenedos was one of four old 'Admiralty S' class DDs assigned to Hong Kong (the others were Thracian, Thanet, and Scout). These were part of a small group of survivors from the large class of DDs built 1918-1920 (the remainder were scrapped between the wars). Unfortunately, these are not included on the logs. The stats for these ships would be: Armament: 1x4" (forward), 1x3" AA (aft) AA Factors: .5 (1.25) 2 DC launchers (7 DCs) Sonar: = No Radar, No RFC Hull Boxes: 5 boxes (Speeds: 30, 24, 18, 13, 6) Note that they did not carry any torpedoes; these had been removed pre-war when they were converted to ASW escorts. Hope this helps! Please note, although no boardcode and smiley buttons are shown, they are still useable

I do thank you for the specs for the SDS for Tenedos, especially the speed and hull boxes. The armament noted above seems to apply to the Shikari, Sabre, Saladin, Sardonyx and Scimitar which stayed in the Atlantic. I have found one picture of Scimitar in 1942 with the ASW layout covering the whole quarterdeck.The following is what I have been able to piece together from the internet and three references at hand.The Admiralty S-class destroyers Scout, Thracian, Thanet, Tenedos and Stronghold which sailed for the China Station in 1939, did not seem to follow the ASW layout. When built they mounted 3-4" guns, 1-2 pdr, 5 machine guns and two twin 21" torpedo mountings. Tenedos (Abbreviated operational history up to Dec. 41)Sent to China Station in 1939. Converted to a minelayer removal of 4” Y mounting, 1-3”AA, carried 48 mines.Stationed at Singapore from September 1939. By November Tenedos reverted to A/S role carrying 60 DC. Performed escort and patrol duty from that time forward. Chosen to escort the ill-fated Force Z.Scout, Thracian, Thanet, Tenedos and Stronghold sailed for the Far East in 1939 to form local defense flotillas in Hong Kong and Singapore. Far East boats remained largely unaltered, as did Sturdy." At least Stronghold, Sturdy and Thracian had been fitted for minelaying before the war, and possibly all those destined for the Far East. Stronghold and Thanet were converted to minelayers in 1939 and had one gun removed from the quarter deck. These ships carried two 4 inch guns. (A and Q positions.) Exactly when the torpedo tubes were landed, I have not been able to ascertain. The minelaying or ASW equipment would probably have used the quarterdeck aft of the searchlight. I get no indication these ships removed the torpedoes to augment their AA.Thracian undergoing repairs in Hong Kong was sunk in Dec. 41 and later salvaged by the Japanese. Thanet was sunk a few weeks later in January 42. Stronghold was sunk in March 42, and Tenedos in April of 42.Skate and Scimitar were used for minesweeping trials during the first winter of the war and were modified accordingly. Shikari, Sabre, Saladin, Sardonyx and Scimitar were converted to ASW escorts late in 1940, equipped for 14 charge pattern DC arrangements. Both after guns and the torpedo tubes were landed, one 12pdr and two quadruple .5 inch machine guns added. Radar Type 286 and later 291 was added, but only Shikari received Type 271, at the cost of the 12pdr and some of the ASW equipment. Four single 20mm mountings eventually supplanted the .5 inch equipments. There is a note in Lenton's "British and Empire Warships of the Second World War" that in 1941 and 42, surviving units were converted to escorts and carried an armament of 1-4", a 12 pdr AA gun, and two quad .5" machine guns plus 8 ASW mortars and two stern racks for depth charges. Finally, to the question at hand.What would the mine-laying version of the Stronghold and Thanet SDS be?what would the anti-submarine version of the Tenedos SDS be if she was not updated with the SURVIVING units as Lenton suggested?

[Cpt M]

Wow! You did some first rate research here. As you found out, tracking the changes in a ship's armament can be tough. (My initial response was based on the basic information from Lenton and Colledge, so was somewhat limited). Anyway to your questions:

What would the mine-laying version of the Stronghold and Thanet SDS be?

My take (based on your research and other sources) for Stronghold and Thanet as minelayers would be as follows:2x4" (1 forward (A), 1 midships (Q))AA Factors: .5 (1.0) Sonar: =48 mnesNo torpedoesNo Radar, No RFCAccording to Lenton/Colledge, none of the 'R and S' class retained their torpedoes (although when they were landed is not noted) which would make sense in this case (removing the torpedoes would offset the weight of the mines and minelayer gear). My guess is that the sonar would be retained (little weight impact) and there doesn't seem to be any indication of a radar fit (too early and not really needed for a minelayer).

what would the anti-submarine version of the Tenedos SDS be if she was not updated with the SURVIVING units as Lenton suggested?

For Tenedos in the earlier ASW format, my best guess would be as follows (once again, based on your research and other sources):2x4" (1 forward (A), 1 midships (Q))AA Factors: .5 (1.0) 2 DC launchers (6 DCs)Sonar: = No torpedoesNo Radar, No RFCIn both cases, the hull boxes and speed would be as previously indicated.Anyway, that's about as close as I can come. Hope this helps.