HMS Lightning (G55)

HMS Lightning was an L class destroyer of the Royal Navy. Launched in 1940 she served during the Second World War.

In 1943 she was hit by two torpedoes fired from German torpedo boats S158 and S55.

History
Ordered under the 1937 Programme and laid down as Job No J4502, Hawthorn Leslie & Co of Newcastle Upon Tyne were awarded the contract to build her with machinery supplied by Parsons. She would be the 10th Royal Navy ship to bear the name Lightning. Build was completed on 28 May 1941 but had been delayed by late delivery of the three twin 4.7 mountings required meeting the original design. The Tender cost was £440.807 which excluded items such as weapons and communications equipment supplied by the Admiralty.

On Wednesday 28 May HMS Lightning was assigned to the 19th Destroyer Flotilla with the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow. Her first operation was Operation Substance during which Lightning was assigned as escort to battleship HMS Nelson.