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HMS Gannet (1927)

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History
United Kingdom
NameGannet
BuilderYarrow Shipbuilders
Launched10 November 1927
CommissionedJanuary 1928
DecommissionedMarch 1942
FateGiven to the Nationalist Chinese Navy in March 1942
Nationalist China
NameYing Shan (英山)
AcquiredMarch 1942
CommissionedMarch 1942
Decommissioned30 November 1949
Captured30 November 1949
FateDefected to Communist China
Communist China
NameNu River
NamesakeNu River
Acquired30 November 1949
Commissioned30 November 1949
Decommissioned1975
FateRetired in 1970s
General characteristics
TypeRiver gunboat
Displacement310 tons
Length184 ft (56 m)
Beam29 ft (8.8 m)
Draught3.2 ft (0.98 m)
Propulsion
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement55
Armament

HMS Gannet was a river gunboat of the Royal Navy built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in 1927 for Yangtze Patrol.[1][2] Gannet is the sister ship of HMS Peterel.[2]

Originally functioning in the area of Hong Kong, Gannet was damaged by Japanese aircraft and went to the Chinese wartime capital Chongqing for repair. The gunboat and its sister ship Peterel were chosen by the British to be presents for China, and the transfers were made in February 1942.[1] The following month, both gunboats officially joined the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) and Gannet was renamed as Ying Shan (英山, literal translation = British Mountain).

The gunboat served with the ROCN until 30 November 1949, when the ROCN Riverine Flotilla commander defected to advancing communist force that blocked the Yangtze River, taking seven boats to the communist side, including Ying San.[2] After joining the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), the gunboat was once again renamed Nu River.[3]

She served until being retired in 1975.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "HMS Gannet (1927)". Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "HMS Gannet". Archived from the original on 27 June 2010. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
  3. ^ Raymond V B Blackman (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 54.

Publications

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