HMS Swift (1907)

Swift at sea
History
United Kingdom
NameSwift
BuilderCammell Laird, Birkenhead
Laid down1905
Launched7 December 1907
CommissionedAugust 1910
FateSold to break up 9 December 1921
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer leader
Displacement1,825 long tons (1,854 t)
Length353.75 ft (107.8 m)
Beam34.5 ft (10.5 m)
Draught10.5 ft (3.2 m)
Installed power
Propulsion4 shafts; steam turbines
Speed34 knots (63 km/h; 39 mph)
Complement138
Armament

HMS Swift was a unique destroyer leader designed and built for the Royal Navy prior to World War I, another product of Admiral "Jackie" Fisher's relentless quest for speed. The class was envisioned as a large ocean-going destroyer, capable of both the usual destroyer requirements and of high-speed scouting duties for a major fleet.