HMS Finisterre (D55)

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Career

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Launched:	22 June 1944
Commissioned:	11 September 1945
Decommissioned:	1965
Fate:	Sold for scrap
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HMS Finisterre (D55) was a Battle-class destroyer of the Royal Navy (RN). She was named after one of the battles of Cape Finisterre.

Finisterre was built by Fairfield Shipbuilder & Engineering Company of Govan on the Clyde. She was launched on the 22 June 1944 and commissioned on 11 September 1945.

She first joined the Home Fleet upon her commissioning. After being in the Far East for some time, in which she performed a variety of duties there, Finisterre returned to the UK via the Mediterranean. In January 1950, Finisterre took part in the rescue attempt of the submarine HMS Truculent, which had sunk after colliding with a Swedish merchant ship Divina in the Thames Estuary. The collision had resulted in the loss of 64 of those on board. The following year Finisterre became the Gunnery Training Ship, based at Whale Island, Portsmouth as part of HMS Excellent.

In 1953, Finisterre took part in the 1953 Coronation Fleet Review to celebrate the Coronation of HM Queen Elizabeth II. The Finisterre was positioned on the left of her sister-ship St. James.

The following year Finisterre was placed in Reserve. After her sister-ship Hogue collided with an Indian cruiser in 1959, Finisterre replaced her in the 1st Destroyer Squadron, based in the Far East. She didn't reach the region until 1960. Finisterre, as part of that squadron, subsequently saw service with the Home and Mediterranean Fleets.

She was sold for scrap in 1965, being broken-up two years later at Dalmuir.

See HMS Finisterre for other ships of the same name.

Battle-class destroyer