HNoMS Eskdale

[4] The Hunt class was meant to fill the Royal Navy's need for a large number of small destroyer-type vessels capable of both convoy escort and operations with the fleet.

[7] 345 long tons (351 t) of oil fuel were carried, giving a range of 3,700 nautical miles (6,900 km; 4,300 mi) at 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph).

[8] Main gun armament was four 4 inch (102 mm) QF Mk XVI dual purpose (anti-ship and anti-aircraft) guns in two twin mounts, with a quadruple 2-pounder "pom-pom" and three Oerlikon 20 mm cannon providing close-in anti-aircraft fire.

[9][10] Eskdale was laid down at Cammell Laird's Birkenhead shipyard on 18 January 1941, was launched on 16 March 1942 and completed on 31 July 1942.

[12][15] On the night of 13/14 October 1942, the German Navy attempted to run the commerce raider Komet westwards through the Channel from Le Havre, escorted by four torpedo boats.[a].

The Motor Torpedo Boats became separated from the Eskdale group of destroyers, which spotted the convoy at about 01:00 on 14 October.