HSwMS Klas Horn

History
Sweden
Name	Klas Horn
Builder	Kockums, Malmö
Launched	13 June 1931
Commissioned	16 September 1932
Stricken	15 August 1958
Identification	Pennant number: 3
Fate	Scrapped, 1967
General characteristics (as built)
Class & type	Klas-class destroyer
Displacement	1,020 long tons (1,036  t) (standard)
Length	92.4 m (303 ft 2 in) (o/a)
Beam	8.9 m (29 ft 2 in)
Draught	2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Installed power	3 Penhoët boilers 26,000  shp (19,388  kW)
Propulsion	2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines
Speed	36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph)
Range	1,600 nmi (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement	130
Armament	3 × single 120 mm (4.7 in) guns 2 × single 40 mm (1.6 in) AA guns 2 × single 8 mm (0.31 in) machine guns 2 × triple 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes 2 × depth charge throwers 40–46 × naval mines

Klas Horn was one of two Klas-class destroyers built for the Royal Swedish Navy during the 1930s. Completed in 1932, she conducted neutrality patrols during World War II before she was sunk by a explosion in 1941. The ship was repaired and returned to service two years later.

Design and description

The Klas-class destroyer was an improved version of the preceding Ehrensköld class. ^[1] The ships displaced 1,020 long tons (1,040  t ) at standard load. They measured 92.4 meters (303 ft 2 in) long overall with a beam of 8.9 meters (29 ft 2 in), and a draft of 2.6 meters (8 ft 6 in). The Klas's were propelled by two de Laval geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft using steam from three Penhöet water-tube boilers. The engines were designed to produce a total of 26,000 shaft horsepower (19,000  kW ) for an intended maximum speed of 36 knots (67 km/h; 41 mph). During their sea trials, they reached 37.3 knots (69.1 km/h; 42.9 mph). The ships carried enough fuel oil to give them a range of 1,600 nautical miles (3,000 km; 1,800 mi) at 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). The ships' crew numbered 119. ^[2]

The main armament of the Klas class consisted of three Bofors 120-millimeter (4.7 in) M/24B guns in single mounts. One gun each was located at the forecastle and stern; the third gun was positioned on a platform between the funnels. Anti-aircraft defense was provided by two 40-millimeter (1.6 in) M/22-M/30 AA guns and two 8-millimeter (0.31 in) M/14-M/29 machine guns. The ships were equipped with six 533-millimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes in two rotating, triple-tube mounts located between the rear funnel and the stern gun. Two depth charge throwers were fitted and the ships could carry 40–46 mines. ^[2]

Construction and career

Klas Horn was launched on 13 June 1931 by Kockums Mekaniska Verkstad at its shipyard in Malmö. The ship was commissioned on 16 September 1932. She conducted neutrality patrols during World War II before she was sunk by an explosion on 17 September 1941. Klas Horn was refloated and returned to service in December 1943. ^[2]

Citations

1. Westerlund, p. 372
2. Hofsten, Waernberg & Ohlsson, p. 157

References

• Borgenstam, Curt; Insulander, Per & Kaudern, Gösta (1989). Jagare: med Svenska flottans jagare under 80 år[Destroyers: Swedish Navy Destroyers under 80 Years] (in Swedish). Marinlitteratur. ISBN   91-970700-4-1. SELIBR   7792227.
• Hofsten, Gustaf von; Waernberg, Jan & Ohlsson, Curt S. (2003). Örlogsfartyg: svenska maskindrivna fartyg under tretungad flagg[Ships of War: Swedish Machine-powered Ships under the Triple-tailed Flag]. [Forum navales skriftserie, 1650-1837; 6] (in Swedish). Svenskt militärhistoriskt bibl. i samarbete med Marinlitteratur. ISBN   91-974384-3-X. SELIBR   8873330.
• Westerlund, Karl-Erik (1985). "Sweden". In Gray, Randal (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921. Conway Maritime Press. pp. 355–363. ISBN   978-0-85177-245-5.
• Whitley, M. J. (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Cassell & Co. ISBN   1-85409-521-8.