IBG 70006 Zetland 1942 Hunt II class destroyer escort

HMS Zetland (L59) was a British WWII destroyer. The keel for this unit was laid in October 1940, and the launch took place in March 1942. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 85.34 meters and a width of 9.62 meters. Full displacement reached approx. 1,490 tons, and the maximum speed was approx. 26-27 knots. The armaments included 6 102 mm guns in three twin turrets, 2 20 mm cannons and 6 Thornycroft depth bomb throwers.

HMS Zetland was one of the Hunt II class destroyers. This type of units was built in connection with the Royal Navy's desire to acquire two basic types of destroyers in the late 1930s: the first type was to be a typical destroyer with strong weapons, adapted to work with other, larger ships, and the second type - the Hunt - it was to be smaller and dedicated to escort tasks and ZOP activities (fighting submarines). The Hunt II type was a development of the Hunt I type. Compared to its predecessor, it was primarily characterized by stronger anti-submarine weapons and an increased width. HMS Zetland began his combat career by participating in convoys operating in the Atlantic and heading towards Malta in the period 1942-1943. In the years 1943-1944, however, he served in the Mediterranean, supporting, among others, the Allied landing in southern France (Operation Dragoon) in August 1944. In 1946, HMS Zetland was transferred to the Royal Navy Reserve. In 1952, the vessel was leased and then sold to Norway, where it served as "Tromso" until 1965.