Draug-class destroyer

The Draug class was the first multi-vessel class of destroyers built for the Royal Norwegian Navy, the first destroyer to be built for the RNoN being the Valkyrjen, commissioned 17 May 1896. 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, commissioned in 1910, followed by Troll in 1912 and Garm in 1913. Garm was also the first turbine engined vessel in Norway. Equipped with two Germania steam turbines, she consumed enormous amounts of coal.

Characteristics
They were fast vessels for their day, reaching speeds of up to 26.5 knots. The Draug class vessels carried six quick-firing guns to combat enemy torpedo boats, as well as three trainable torpedo tubes to attack larger vessels.

The class was named after the Draugr - a sinister, malevolent being of Nordic origin and often connected with mariners and the sea.

Fates
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.

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.

While Draug escaped to the United Kingdom on 9 April 1940, Garm was sunk by German bombers at the village of Bjordal in the Sognefjord 26 April 1940 and Troll was captured at anchor in Florø by the advancing German forces on 18 May 1940.

Draug served as an escort vessel on the east coast of Britain until she was scrapped in 1944.