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HMS Afridi

HMS Afridi pictured in January 1938   

Original post card for sale Price £22 Order Code  PHD260

HMS Afridi 

Original Postcard for sale Price £22 Order Code  PHD261

HMS Afridi firing a torpedo.

HMS Ashanti, July 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1963

HMS Ashanti, off Seydisfjord, Iceland, June 1942.

HMS Bedouin, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1965

HMS Bedouin.

HMS Bedouin.    

Original Post card for sale Price £22 Order Code  PHD271

HMS Bedouin, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1964

HMS Cossack

HMS Cossack.

Cossack is famous for the successful release of 300 British prisoners from the Nazi slave ship 'Altmark' in the Joessing Fjord, Norway on 16th February 1940.    

Original Post card for sale Price £22 Order Code  PHD262

HMS Eskimo

HMS Eskimo pictured c.1941.   

HMS Eskimo, July 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1966

HMS Maori

HMS Mashona

HMS Mashona, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1967

Original republished © MPL Photograph (Postcard Size).  Price £5 Click here to order.  Order Code  MP1967

HMS Matabele, July 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1968

HMS Mohawk

HMS Mohawk.

HMS Mohawk.

HMS Mohawk. 

HMS Nubian, 1944.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1969

HMS Nubian, 1944.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1970

HMS Punjabi, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1971

HMS Punjabi, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1972

HMS Sikh

HMS Sikh (L82) pictured c.1937 - she was sunk in September 1942.   

Original Post card for sale Price £20 Order Code  PHD266

HMS Sikh.    

Original Post card for sale Price £22 Order Code  PHD270

HMS Somali

HMS Somali, March 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1973

HMS Somali.

HMS Somali.

Russian Convoy Somali about five minutes after being torpedoed with Tartar standing by. The Ashanti towed the Somali for three days before she broke the tow and sunk in the night.  Probably taken on 20th Sept 1942. (taken from HMS Ashanti)

HMS Somali on a Russian convoy, 25th May 1942.

HMS Gurkha pre 1940.     

Original Post card for sale Price £20 Order Code  PHD267

HMS Tartar.      

Original Post card for sale Price £20 Order Code  PHD268

HMS Tartar, May 1939.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1974

HMS Zulu, fitting out, 1937.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1975

HMS Bataan, 1948.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1976

HMS Haida, October 1955.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1978

HMS Athabaskan (ii), 1948.

A large image size 10" x 7" approx, is available.  Reproduced from the original negative / photo under license from MPL, the copyright holder.  A signed numbered certificate is supplied. Price £25.   Order photograph here   Order Code  XMP1977

HMS Micmac

Specifications for HMS Afridi, HMS Cossack, HMS Gurkha, HMS Maori, HMS Mohawk, HMS Nubian, HMS Zulu, HMS Ashanti, HMS Bedouin, HMS Eskimo, HMS Mashona, HMS Matabele, HMS Punjabi, HMS Sikh, HMS Somali & HMS Tartar.

Displacement:  1,870 tons.   Speed: 36kts    Complement: 190 (219 for Afridi, Cossack, Somali & Tartar)

Armament: Eight 4.7 inch guns in pairs, four 2 pdr anti-aircraft guns, eight 0.5 inch anti-aircraft guns in fours and four 21 inch torpedo tubes in fours.

HMS Cossack  Built by Vickers Armstrong and launched on 8th June 1937  at the outbreak of War the Cossack served in Home waters and also in the Mediterranean. She was torpedoed and sunk by U.563 in the North Atlantic on the 23rd of October 1941.

Specifications for Arunta, Bataan, Warramunga, Athabaskan I & II, Haida, Huron, Iroquois, Cayuga, Micmac and Nookta.

Displacement: 1,927 tons    Speed: 36kts    Complement: 240 (250 on Arunta, Bataan and Warramunga)

Armament: Six 4.7 inch guns, two 4 inch anti-aircraft guns, four 2 pdr anti-aircraft guns, eight 0.5 inch anti-aircraft guns in fours (Cayuga & Athabaskan II had eight 4 inch guns, four 40mm anti-aircraft guns, four 20mm anti-aircraft guns in pairs) and four 21 inch torpedo tubes in fours.

Naval Historians, Crew & Family Noticeboard

Tribal Class destroyers, Message Board for naval enthusiasts and crew descendents of Tribal Class Destroyers. This website is not part of any governmental body or official websites of Tribal Class Destroyers.

MESSAGES

HMS MOHAWK

***...  On 16th October 1939 I was an eye witness to the attack by German raiders on the fleet at anchor below the Forth Bridge.  I know HMS Mohawk and HMS Southampton were struck.  I actually saw the waterspouts of the bombs which killed several naval personnel.  Many years later in 1977 I bought a house just beside the Forth Bridge and my neighbour was a retired Bridge Inspector.  We exchanged memories of that dreadful day but I would like to know any information from the crews of these warships as due to wartime censorships I was never able to learn the aftermath aboard the ships afterwards.  Hope some interested vet might care to answer. 

WILLIAM KINDNESS    he was a Ordinary Seaman aboard HMS Eskimo, he died on 13th April 1940. i would love to hear the history of HMS Eskimo around this time. if anyone can help please email me at 

WILLIAM STONE..  I am trying to find any information for a friend of mine whose brother served on H.M.S. ESKIMO during the year 1942.His brother name is William Stone, he also recevied the B.E.M..Would also like any information about this ship, as I keep hitting brick walls. Please e.mail me at

JAMES ROBERTSON..  My mother's brother was killed on the Afridi at the battle of Narvick 1940, he was a stocker 24 years old and his name is James Robertson.  If any survivor or their relatives have any information about the battle or were I can obtain a crew list from we would be most grateful. Contact

My Granddad survived the sinking the 1940. In my researches I came across this interesting photograph which depicts two survivors being waved off on a train (see above). Its a fascinating official government press photo, which according to the back had to be okayed before publication. I've shown it to my Granddad who knows the men on the train - I believe he was also on the train. Just wondered if anybody may be able to shed a little light, perhaps as to where in Norway it was, and perhaps the identity of the sailors. Or perhaps hear from relatives of other Afridi Survivors, or any interesting information about the ship. Contact Anna Robertson at

CPO (A) ALFRED FINCH.. I have a transcript of this person, who joined HMS Maori after she suffered bomb damage during the evacuation of Norwaym until she was bombed in harbour at Malta.  Any crewmembers who remember him or any information to help with this narrative would be greatly appreciated.  

A. S. CROCKATT..  AB A.S. Crockatt served on HMS Maori during 1941 and was torpedo layer on the Bismarck Chase.  He witnessed some of the survivors being brought aboard before they were ordered off.  He also served on HMS Ashanti, dates unknown.  Any idea if I can obtain more information about his wartime service, especially on the Tribals?

I am writing a piece on HMS Mashona, the destroyer who while returning from group action resulting in the sinking of the Bismarck was bombed by German aircraft. She went down off the Irish coast and one of her crew Petty Officer J J Tweed is buried on an island in Clew Bay. If anyone ahs any information or pictures of the Mashona or Petty Officer Tweed that I could use in my piece, contact me Keith Martin at 

Hello. Urgently seeking help regarding tracing any surviving relatives ofthe late Petty Officer Jubilee Jack Tweed who died aboard HMS Mashona in May 1941. His body was washed up on Clare Island in Co. Mayo in Ireland.
Urgently need to pass on a message regarding his burial site. His number wasC/JX 153024, he was aged 44, his wife was called Alice and they lived in the Southampton area. He was a son of Benjamin and Eleanore Tweed. Please feel
free to copy this meesage to anyone who thinks they can help. This is very much appreciated. Thank you. Selwyn Daly (Ireland).  

ROBERTS.. My late father served on HMS Punjabi when it was involved in a collision in May 1942. If anyone has any photos of the crew or the ship at that time or a crew list I would love to hear from them.  

Albert Nothard   My late father was a stoker on HMS Tartar 1943-1946. We would be interested in hearing from anyone who served on the ship during that period as we're particularly interested in learning of its movements during this time. 

TOM WALKER.  any info on TOM WALKER (hookey)  served on H.M.S.SOMALI during world war 2 previously on HMS ANTHONY.he survived  through all the bad times but took his own life 5years ago reason not known.  

JIM OLDHAM.     My father Jim Oldham was a member of the crew of HMS Somali when she was torpedoed in 1942.  He was a telegrapher who, during the 30's, had joined the RNVWR as part of his hobby of amateur radio.  He was on the Russian Convoys and Operation Pedestal although I believe the Somali was turned back to Gib for some reason and never reached Malta at the time of the relief.  He survived the sinking and was later posted to Nova Scotia at a gunnery school where he trained airforce gunners in radio telegraphy.  Prior to joining the Somali he served on May Island at a naval installation involved in developing a system for detecting shipping using wire loops laid on the sea bed.  He died in 1999 aged 89. 

ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET LORD LEWIN...... My father was Terry Lewin, ultimately he became Admiral of the Fleet Lord Lewin whose last appointment was as Chief of the Defence Staff at the time of the Falklands conflict. He died in January 1999 after which I passed the major part of his "important effects" to the National Maritime Museum (where he had also acted as head of the trustees). His life has been well covered in Richard Hill's authorised biography "Lewin of Greenwich" which is still in print and a good read. Now I am collating other materials about him and would particularly like to hear from all and any former colleagues, ship's companies, national servicemen, anyone, with stories, memories and recollections about him. I am particularly interested in sea jobs (but anything is welcome) which in order from 1939 were;-  Belfast, Valliant, Ashanti, Chequers, Corunna, HMY Britannia, Urchin, Tenby, Hermes.  I am aware that unless I collect these stories now they will soon be lost so please, all of you, try to remember something!            Many thanks, Tim Lewin                                  

HMS Cossack on convoy duty by Ivan Berryman.

Built by Vickers Armstrong and launched on 8th June 1937, at the outbreak of War the Cossack served in Home waters and also in the Mediterranean. She was torpedoed and sunk by U.563 in the North Atlantic on the 23rd of October 1941.

Signed limited edition of 500 prints. Image size 20 inches x 13 inches (51cm x 33cm). Price £95.00

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 20 inches x 13 inches (51cm x 33cm). Price £135.00

Limited edition of 50 giclee canavs prints. Image size 20 inches x 13 inches (51cm x 33cm). Price £250.00

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00

Pedestal Convoy by Anthony Saunders

Signed limited edition of 2500 prints. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £60.00

Limited edition of 50 artist proofs. Image size 24 inches x 15 inches (61cm x 38cm). Price £135.00

Signed limited edition of 2500 prints. Special Promotion : This print is 30% off for a limited time only! Image size 12 inches x 8 inches (31cm x 20cm). Price £23.52

Limited edition of 50 giclee canvas prints. Image size 30 inches x 20 inches (76cm x 51cm). Price £460.00

Original painting by Anthony Saunders. . Price £2200.00

Postcard size 6 inches x 4 inches (15cm x 10cm). Price £2.00

HMS Cossack by Ivan Berryman.

HMS Cossack, one of the fast Tribal class destroyers will always be remembered for the daring rescue of 300 prisoners of war from the German Altmark in Norwegian waters. She is shown here departing Grand Harbour, Malta.

Signed Limited Edition of 250 prints. Image size 17 inches x 10 inches (43cm x 25cm). Price £60.00