British Destroyer, "L" class, "LANCE" (1940) badly hit while in No. 2 Dock

Images(2)

British Destroyer, "L" class, "LANCE" (1940) badly hit while in No. 2 Dock

Date4 - 9 April 1942

Classification(s)

Photography

Object TypePhotograph

Extent1 photograph in loose collection

Registration NumberMMPHOT-002275

DescriptionWhile in No. 2 Dock at Malta dockyard, she was hit and damaged by a bomb on 4 April 1942. On 9 April 1942 a large bomb exploded between the destroyer and the dockwall; this knocked the destroyer off the dock-blocks and caused a large hole on the starboard side midships. Further bomb damage to the dockgate caused the dock to flood. The destroyer floated momentarily but then sank by the stern, with her bows high in the air; eventually she sank completely. The dock was dried on October and on 22 October 1942 "LANCE" was proclaimed a total loss. The hole was patched in 1943 and the destroyer refloated and undocked. She was towed to Britain, arriving at Chatham in September 1943. "LANCE" was scrapped at Gracys from June 1944.
"LANCE" participated in the following Malta convoys: Halberd (Sept. 1941), MF-1 (Dec. 1941), ME-8 (Dec. 1941), MF-2 (Jan. 1942), MW-8 (Jan. 1942), MF-4 & ME-9 (Jan. 1942), and finally MW9 & ME-10 (Feb. 1942).
"LANCE" participated in the following aircraft delivery operations to Malta: RAILWAY I (27 June 1941), RAILWAY II (30 June 1941), STATUS I (8 September 1941), STATUS II (13 September 1941) and CALLBOY (18 October 1941).Special Collection

Malta Drydocks Collection

Public Access

Not on view

MuseumMalta Maritime Museum

Location