Editing E and F-class destroyer (section)

==Design and description==
[[File:E Class Destroyer Profile.png|thumb|left|Profile of an E-class destroyer]]
The E class were ordered as part of the 1931 Naval Construction Programme, the F class following in 1932. These ships were based on the preceding [[C and D-class destroyer|D class]] with minor changes to the hull and armament. Two of the ships were modified to accommodate 60 [[naval mine|mines]]. The F class were repeats of the E's with some minor differences. All of the destroyers were fitted with [[Sonar#History|ASDIC]] (sonar) and the ability to use the Two-Speed Destroyer Sweep (TSDS) [[minesweeper (ship)|minesweeping gear]].<ref>English, pp. 62–63, 75</ref>

The E- and F-class destroyers displaced {{convert|1405|LT|t}} at [[Displacement (ship)|standard]] load and {{convert|1940|LT|t}} at [[deep load]]. They had an [[length overall|overall length]] of {{convert|329|ft|m|1}}, a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|33|ft|3|in|m|1}} and a [[draft (hull)|draught]] of {{convert|12|ft|6|in|m|1}}. The ships' complement was 145 officers and [[naval rating|ratings]].<ref name=w78>Whitley, pp. 103, 105</ref> They were powered by two [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s, each driving one [[propeller shaft]], using steam provided by three [[Admiralty 3-drum boiler]]s that operated at a pressure of {{convert|300|psi|kPa kg/cm2|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} and a temperature of {{convert|620|°F}}. The turbines developed a total of {{convert|36000|shp|lk=in}} and gave a maximum speed of {{convert|35.5|kn|lk=in}}. The destroyers carried a maximum of {{convert|470|-|480|LT|t}} of [[fuel oil]] that gave them a range of {{convert|6350|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|15|kn}}.<ref name=l0>Lenton, pp. 156, 58</ref>

[[File:HMS Foxhound forward guns IWM A 18772.jpg|thumb|left|''Foxhound''{{'}}s forward guns, August 1943]]
All of the ships had the same main armament, four [[List of British ordnance terms#QF|quick-firing (QF)]] [[4.7 inch QF Mark IX & XII|{{convert|4.7|in|mm|adj=on}} Mark IX]] guns in single mounts, designated 'A', 'B', 'X', and 'Y' from front to rear. The guns had a maximum elevation of 40° which was achieved by using a lowered section of the deck around the mount, the "well", that allowed the [[Breech-loading weapon|breech]] of the gun to be lowered below deck height.<ref>Whitley, p. 103</ref> They fired a {{convert|50|lb|kg|adj=on|1}} shell at a [[muzzle velocity]] of {{convert|2650|ft/s|m/s|abbr=on}} to a range of {{convert|16970|yd|m}}.<ref>Campbell, p. 48</ref> For [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] (AA) defence, they had two quadruple mounts for the [[Vickers .50 machine gun|QF 0.5-inch Vickers Mk III]] machine gun on platforms between the [[funnel (ship)|funnel]]s. The E- and F-class ships were fitted with two quadruple mounts for [[British 21-inch torpedo|21-inch (533&nbsp;mm)]] [[torpedo tube]]s. The ships, except for the minelayers, were also equipped with two throwers and one rack for 20 [[depth charge]]s. The stern of the minelayers was fitted with a pair of [[sponson]]s that housed part of the mechanical chain-conveyor system and to ensure smooth delivery of her mines.<ref name=l1>Lenton, pp. 156–58</ref> To compensate for the weight of her Mark XIV mines, their rails, two 4.7-inch guns, their ammunition, both sets of torpedo tubes, their whalers and their [[davit]]s had to be removed.<ref>Friedman, p. 218</ref>

The main guns were controlled by an [[Admiralty Fire Control Clock]] Mk I that used data derived from the manually-operated [[List of British ordnance terms#DCT|director-control tower]] and the separate {{convert|9|ft|adj=on}} [[Rangefinding telemeter|rangefinder]] situated above the [[bridge (nautical)|bridge]]. They had no capability for anti-aircraft fire and the anti-aircraft guns were aimed solely by eye.<ref>Campbell, pp. 14–15; Hodges & Friedman, pp. 12, 17</ref>

===Wartime modifications===
Beginning in May 1940, the after bank of torpedo tubes was removed and replaced with a [[QF 3 inch 20 cwt gun|QF 12-pounder 20-cwt anti-aircraft gun]],<ref group=Note>"Cwt" is the abbreviation for [[hundredweight]], 20 cwt referring to the weight of the gun.</ref> the after mast and funnel being cut down to improve the gun's field of fire. Four to eight [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|QF 20&nbsp;mm Oerlikon]] [[Autocannon|cannon]]s were added to the surviving ships, usually replacing the .50-calibre machine gun mounts between the funnels. One pair of these was added to the bridge wings and the other pair was mounted [[wikt:abreast|abreast]] the [[searchlight]] platform.<ref name=l1/> Early in the war, depth charge stowage increased to 38.<ref>Friedman, pp. 236–37</ref> By 1943, all the surviving ships, except {{HMS|Fury|H76|2}} had the 'Y' gun on the [[Deck (ship)|quarterdeck]] removed to allow for additional depth charge stowage and two additional depth charge throwers. The 12-pounder was removed to allow for the installation of a [[Huff-Duff]] [[radio direction finder]] on a short [[mainmast]] and for more depth charges. All of the survivors, except perhaps for {{HMS|Echo|H23|2}}, had 'A' or 'B' gun replaced by a [[Hedgehog (weapon)|Hedgehog]] anti-submarine [[spigot mortar]], and their director-control tower and rangefinder above the bridge removed in exchange for a [[Type 271 radar|Type 271]] target-indication [[radar]], {{HMS|Fame|H78|2}} had her 'A' gun reinstalled by 1944. A [[Type 286 radar|Type 286]] short-range, surface-search radar, adapted from the [[Royal Air Force]]'s ASV radar, was also added. The early models, however, could only scan directly forward and had to be aimed by turning the entire ship.  {{HMS|Express|H61|2}}'s modifications differed somewhat in that 'B' gun was replaced by a twin-gun [[QF 6-pounder Hotchkiss]] mount and a split Hedgehog installation. In addition, she retained her 12-pounder gun, but her remaining torpedo tubes were removed.<ref name=l1/>

===Flotilla leaders===
For the first time since the [[A-class destroyer (1929)|A class]] of the 1927 programme, the [[flotilla leader]]s were built to an enlarged design, being lengthened to incorporate an additional QF 4.7-inch gun between the funnels. The lengthened design resulted in a three [[Boiler room (ship)|boiler room]] layout to enhance water-tight integrity. The leaders were not fitted for minesweeping or minelaying.<ref>Whitley, p. 105</ref> They displaced {{convert|1475|-|1495|LT|t}} at standard load and {{convert|2010|-|2050|LT|t}} at deep load. The ships had an overall length of {{convert|343|ft|m|1}}, a beam of {{convert|33|ft|9|in|m|1}} and a draught of {{convert|12|ft|6|in|m|1}}.<ref name=l0/> The ships carried a total of 175 personnel which included the staff of the [[Captain (D)]], commanding officer of the flotilla.<ref>Whitley, pp. 97, 105</ref> Their turbines were {{convert|2000|shp|abbr=on}} more powerful than the [[private ship]]s, which made them {{convert|0.5|kn}} faster; their propulsion machinery was otherwise identical. {{HMS|Exmouth|H02|2}} was an early wartime loss and consequently received no modifications, but {{HMS|Faulknor|H62|2}} survived the war. Her modifications differed somewhat from those of the private ships. She received a {{convert|4|in|adj=on|0}} AA gun in lieu of her aft torpedo tubes, although they were later reinstalled and the 4-inch gun replaced 'X' 4.7-inch gun. Two Oerlikons were later added on the forward part of her aft superstructure and a quadruple [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|QF two-pounder "pom-pom"]] mount replaced 'Q' gun between the funnels. Finally her rangefinder was replaced by a high-angle director fitted with a [[Type 285 radar|Type 285]] gunnery radar.<ref name=l1/>