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As with the first World War, the Algarvian Admiralty found that a Flotilla leader was required for its general purpose destroyers. The River and Shark class were supposed to have been big enough to have provided an in-house leader. But in reality the ships became overloaded when a Captain D and his staff were added to the general complement. A much larger ship that could serve as leader was to be built.
At 360 feet these were the biggest destroyers the Algarvian Navy had produced so far. An initial order for eight ships was placed in 1936 with completion from 1939 onwards. In 1939 a further eight were ordered to match the orders that were being placed for more of the Shark class destroyers. With early losses in 1940-41 to the first eight, a further four were ordered in 1942. With delays and higher priorities the final four did not complete till 1945-46.
Displacement: 2,000 tons standard, 2,850 tons full load.
Dimensions: 360 x 39 x 12 feet
Machinery: 2 shaft, steam turbines, 48,000shp
Speed: 35 knots
Endurance: 5,500 miles @ 14 knots.
Armour: nil
Armament:
6 x 4.5" (3x2)
8 x 40mm (4x2)
10 x 21" torpedoes (2x5)
Crew: 190