HMS Corunna (D97)

HMS Corunna (D97) was a later or 1943 Battle-class fleet destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was named in honour of the Battle of Corunna, which took place during the Peninsular War in 1809 between British and French forces. Corunna was built by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson Limited on the Tyne. She was launched on 29 May 1945 and commissioned on 6 June 1947.

In 1948, Corunna joined the 4th Destroyer Flotilla, part of the Home Fleet. In 1953 she took part in the Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. In 1954, Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, formerly Flotilla, deployed to the Mediterranean, remaining there until 1955. Corunna, with the rest of the Squadron, returned to the region in 1956. On the 15.3.59, Corunna accidentally collided with her sister-ship HMS Barrosa (D68) in the Bay Of Biscay.

Corunna subsequently began her conversion to a Radar Picket, of which three other ships were also converted. The conversion included new AA weaponry, new radar, and the addition of the Sea Cat missile system. In 1962, Corunna joined the 7th Destroyer Squadron, based in the Mediterranean, and the following year joined the 21st Escort Squadron. In 1964, Corunna deployed, along with the rest of the Squadron, to the Far East, where she would remain until 1965. In 1967, Corunna was placed in reserve and was put on the disposal list in 1972. In 1975, Corunna arrived at Blyth in Northumberland where she was subsequently broken up.