The  Simonov class was an all round improvement over the Sapphire class. One more 4" gun, increase from 18" to 21" torpedoes, better optics, but most of all much more efficient machinery. The turbines and boilers produced more power but took up only two thirds of the space used in the Sapphire. Despite all the changes the Simonov's were only four feet longer than the Sapphire.



The class survived World War One without any losses, two had splinter damage from near misses. With anti-aircraft weapons becoming more necessary, the class sacrificed the 4" between the funnels for a quad 2 pounder mounting. The old single 2 pounder being replaced with Hispano-Suiza 20mm cannons. One pair of torpedo tubes was removed in 1941 for more depth charges. 1942, Hedgehog replaced 'A' gun. Radar was updated regularly.



During the Second World war, half the class were lost. Two went early at Dunkirk when trying to assist the Major Morris out of difficulties only for Stukas and JU-88's to sink all three. One was lost in the Mediterranean to a mine, one on Russian Convoys in 1943, and the last to a Japanese torpedo trying to escape to Australis through the Sunda Strait with other Allied ships in early 1942.

 

Displacement	1,350 tons standard, 1,525 tons full load
Length	317 ft
Breadth	34 ft
Draught	12 ft
Machinery	2 shaft, steam turbines, 30,000shp
Speed	33 knots
Range	5,000 miles at 10 knots
Armament	As completed 4 x 4" (4x1) 4 x 2pd (4x1)	Refits to 1940 3 x 4" DP (2x1) 4 x 2pd AA (1x3) 6 x 20mm (6x1)
Torpedoes	4 x 21" (2x2)	4 x 21" (2x2)
Complement	120	130
Notes	Simonov Benatar Harry Jett Hynde Joplin Smith Nicks King Glover Steffani Pierson

HMAS Perth leads the Allied line through the Sunda Strait, none of the five Allied ships survived against the Japanese torpedoes and gunfire.