The Draug class was the first multi-vessel class of destroyers built for the Royal Norwegian Navy in the early 20th century and the first destroyers constructed for the Royal Norwegian Navy since Valkyrjen, which was commissioned on 17 May 1896. The class comprised three ships, Draug, Troll and Garm. All three were built at the naval shipyard at Horten. The Draug class were the last Norwegian-constructed destroyers until the Aalesundclass was laid down in 1939. The Draug class saw service until the 1940s. In 1940, Garm was sunk while the other two remained in service until sold and broken up for scrap.
The Draug class was patterned on the British Riverclass, only somewhat larger and more heavily armed.[1] The destroyers had a displacement of 587 tonnes (578 long tons) and were 69.2 metres (227ft 0in) long with a beam of 7.3 metres (23ft 11in) and a draught of 2.9 metres (9ft 6in). The destroyers had a complement of 76 officers and ratings.[2]
The ships of the class were coal-powered vessels with a capacity of 107 tonnes (105 long tons). While Draug and Troll had vertical triple expansion steam engines driving two shafts, rated at 7,500 horsepower (5,600kW), Garm was powered by Germania direct steam turbines, rated at 8,000 indicated horsepower (6,000kW). Draug had a maximum speed of 26.5 knots (49.1km/h; 30.5mph), Troll, 27 knots (50km/h; 31mph) and Garm, 27.4 knots (50.7km/h; 31.5mph). They carried six 76-millimetre (3in)quick-firing guns, as well as three trainable 457-millimetre (18in)torpedo tubes.[1][2][3]
As the single Valkyrjen was not enough to fulfil the need for destroyers, the Draug class was ordered and built in the years 1908–1913. Draug was the lead ship, launched in 1908, followed by Troll| in 1909 and Garm in 1913.[1] The class, and lead ship, was named after the Draugr – a sinister, malevolent being of Nordic origin and often connected with mariners and the sea.
All three ships were kept in commission until the Second World War, although they were mothballed years before 1939. As war became imminent, the three ships were returned to active service, Troll and Garm on 28 August, Draug on 5 September 1939. As all three ships were in poor condition, it took much time and work before they could be declared operational. After mobilisation, the Draug-class vessels were considered fit only for escort and guard service.[citation needed] They served with the 1st Destroyer Division based at Bergen.[5]
On 8 April 1940, as the German invasion of Norway was imminent, the three Draug-class ships were posted to the 2nd Naval District in south- and mid-western Norway. Draug was based at Haugesund, Garm at Bergen and Troll at Måløy.[citation needed]Draug escaped to the United Kingdom on 9 April 1940 after an action against German transports. Garm was sunk by German bombers at the village of Bjordal in the Sognefjord on 26 April 1940. Troll, which had been ordered to Shetland, was abandoned by her crew at Florø was captured at anchor by the advancing German forces on 18 May 1940.[4][5]Troll was used as a condensor vessel and heating barge in the shipyard at Laksevaag.[5]
Draug served as an escort vessel on the east coast of Britain until she was scrapped in 1944. Troll was returned to Norway by the Germans following the end of the Second World War. The ship was sold in 1947 and broken up for scrap.[4]
Whitley, M. J. (2000) [1988]. Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN0-87021-326-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Further reading
Abelsen, Frank (1986). Norwegian naval ships 1939–1945 (in Norwegian and English). Oslo: Sem & Stenersen AS. ISBN82-7046-050-8.
The destroyer HNoMS Troll, known locally as Torpedojager Troll, was the second destroyer built for the Royal Norwegian Navy, as the second ship of the Draug-class destroyers. She was built at the naval shipyard in Horten, with yard number 104. She was kept in service long after she was obsolete, and took part in the defence of Norway after the German invasion in 1940.
HNoMS Garm was the third destroyer built for the Royal Norwegian Navy, and was a Draug class destroyer. Garm was constructed several years after her two sister ships, but to the same plans. She was built at the naval shipyard in Horten, with yard number 107.
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