Wrangel-class destroyer

The Wrangel class completed a line of Swedish 30-knot (56 km/h; 35 mph) destroyers, originating from HSwMS Wale. Compared to contemporary destroyers in other navies, the Wrangel class was significantly smaller and lighter armed. However, they were improved versions of the preceding Hugin class and were the first Swedish destroyers to use single-reduction geared turbines.[1] The Wrangel class had a standard displacement of 415 tonnes (408 long tons) and 498 t (490 long tons) at full load. The destroyers measured 69.6 metres (228 ft 4 in) long at the waterline and 72.0 m (236 ft 3 in) overall with a beam of 6.9 m (22 ft 8 in) and a mean draught of 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in).[2][lower-alpha 1]

The Wrangels were powered by steam provided by four coal-fired Yarrow boilers, each with their own uptake, to two de Laval geared turbines, each turning one shaft, designed to create 11,000 shaft horsepower (8,200 kW)[1] but actually created 13,000 shp (9,700 kW).[2] Each turbine had their own engine room with the foremost turbine turning the starboard shaft.[1] The ships carried 105 t (103 long tons; 116 short tons) of coal and in 1927, they were converted to oil burning and carried the same amount of fuel oil.[2] This gave them a maximum speed of 34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph). The destroyers had a complement of 81 officers and ratings.[1][2]

The destroyers were armed with four single-mounted 75-millimetre (3.0 in)/53 M12 guns.[2][lower-alpha 2] One gun was situated fore, one aft and one to either side of the ship along the beam.[1] They also mounted two 6.5 mm (0.26 in) M14 machine guns and six torpedo tubes for 457 mm (18 in) torpedoes.[2] Four of the torpedo tubes were located in pairs and two single mounts were located abreast the second and third funnels to each side.[1]

Four ships were authorised in 1914 at the beginning of World War I. However, the final two ships of the class were cancelled due to economic reasons. Constructed in Sweden, HSwMS Wrangel and HSwMS Wachtmeister were both laid down in 1916 and completed in 1918. They were initially given the pennant numbers 9 and 10 respectively, but in 1940, these were changed to 25 and 26 respectively.[2] Both destroyers saw little action during their service due to Sweden's neutrality during both world wars beyond sailing on neutrality patrols.[3] Wrangel was stricken for the Navy Directory on 13 May 1947. The vessel was used as a target ship for tests and was sunk in 1960. Wachtmeister was stricken on 13 June 1947 and sold for scrap in 1951.[2][lower-alpha 3]

• Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal, eds. (1985). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
• Whitley, M. J. (2000) [1988]. Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.