ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Miaoulis (L91)

The HMS Miaoulis was a Type III Hunt-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy, but it never saw active service with its original designation. Instead, it was commissioned into the Hellenic Navy during World War II.

Commissioned under the name of HMS Modbury in 1940 as part of the 1940 War Emergency Program at the Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson Ltd. shipyard in Wallsend-on-Tyne, England (number J4297), the vessel underwent construction with its keel laid on August 5, 1941. However, before completion, it was transferred to the Hellenic Navy on March 24, 1942, as HHMS Miaoulis.

The decision to transfer the ship to the Greek navy came in response to the heavy losses suffered by the Hellenic Navy during the German invasion of Greece in 1941. The vessel's original purpose was to alleviate these losses and provide additional support for the Greek naval forces.

Launched on April 13, 1942, Miaoulis entered service on November 25, 1942. As a Type III Hunt-class destroyer, it featured two torpedo tubes mounted centrally in the hull, which were intended to enhance its capabilities as an escort vessel and fleet operator. However, due to weight constraints imposed by these additional tubes, only two 4-inch twin gun supports were installed, with the "Y" gun removed from the design.

The distinctive features of Type III Hunt-class destroyers included a straight chimney with an inclined top and a mast without rake. Notably, fourteen vessels in this class had their stabilizers either removed or not installed initially, which allowed for additional fuel oil storage space.

Miaoulis measured 80.54 meters (262 feet) between perpendiculars and 85.34 meters (279 feet) at its full load length. The vessel's master boat was approximately 9.60 meters (31.5 feet), with a draught of 3.51 meters (11.4 feet). Its standard displacement was around 1,070 tons, increasing to 1,510 tons when fully loaded.

During World War II, Miaoulis played an important role in the Dodecanese Campaign on October 10, 1943, where it rescued the crew of British destroyer HMS Panther from a sinking ship.