HMAS Napier (G97/D13) was an N-class destroyer serving in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) during World War II. Built during 1939 and 1940, the destroyer was commissioned into the RAN, although she was ordered and owned by the British government. During 1941, Napier operated in the Mediterranean, before being transferred to the British Eastern Fleet at the start of 1942, then to south Atlantic operations in early 1944. In 1945, Napier was assigned to the British Pacific Fleet, and spent the rest of World War II in the fight against Japan. After the war's end, the destroyer was decommissioned and returned to the British. She was sold off in 1955, and broken up in 1956.
Design and construction
The N-class destroyer had a displacement of 1,760 tons at standard load, and 2,353 tons at full load. Napier was long overall and long between perpendiculars, had a beam of , and a maximum draught of . Napier was capable of reaching . The 4-inch gun was removed later in Napiers career. The ship was named after Scottish Admiral Sir Charles Napier, with the ship's badge taken from the family coat of arms, and cost 403,960 pounds to build.
In January 1941, "Napier" carried Winston Churchill to the Royal Navy base at Scapa Flow from nearby Scrabster when Churchill accompanied Lord Halifax there for his departure for the United States to serve as British Ambassador.
After completing sea trials, Napier spent the first part of her career operating as a convoy escort in the North Atlantic.
In early 1945, Napier was reassigned to the British Pacific Fleet, changing her pennant from G97 to D13. Napier was present in Tokyo Bay on Victory over Japan Day (2 September 1945), when the Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed. After supporting the occupation landings, the destroyer sailed to Sydney.
Decommissioning and fate
The Australian ship's company left on 25 October 1945, and Napier was returned to the RN.