Phoenix was then relocated to the Mediterranean Sea and was sunk by the Italian torpedo boat Albatros on 16 July 1940.

[7] The class had a design flaw in that the riveted external fuel tanks leaked, leaving an oil trail on the surface.

[3] In July 1940, Phoenix, under the command of Lt Cdr Gilbert Hugh Nowell,[15] and Rorqual were given the task of screening a convoy of British ships bringing supplies from Malta to Alexandria.

[16] Admiral Andrew Cunningham ordered his ships to cut off the Italian fleet from their base at Taranto, which led to the Battle of Calabria.

[16] Phoenix fired torpedoes at two Italian battleships, Giulio Cesare and Conte di Cavour, but missed both targets.