This evolutionary design made it possible to be driven in head sea without the usual slamming which occurs with conventional destroyers of the time.

The Whitbys were designed as specialist anti-submarine warships, intended to counter fast modern diesel-electric submarines.

In December Torquay carried out patrols off Cyprus, and remained in the Mediterranean in the early part of 1957, returning to Portsmouth on 16 May 1957.

[11][12] In July 1958, Torquay took part in Operation Fortitude, when the aircraft carrier Eagle supported an airlift of British troops to Jordan following a request by King Hussein of Jordan more military assistance in response to unrest following the formation of the United Arab Republic by Egypt and Syria and the 14 July Revolution in Iraq.

[14] Replaced by the Leander-class frigate Juno as the navigation training vessel for the Royal Navy, Torquay paid off on 23 March 1985.

Notable individuals who commanded Torquay at some point in her history include Peter Berger, Fabian Malbon and John McAnally.