Stork was laid down in June 1935 and commissioned in September 1936 as a completely unarmed survey vessel, even though the Bittern hull was designed for escort work. Her planned weapons were waiting when war began, allowing the Royal Navy to arm her quickly. The survey commissioning also explains why Stork did not lend her name to the class despite being completed before Bittern. She survived the war and was broken up at Troon in 1958. Her peacetime auxiliary fit had preserved a rapid route to combat service.
Notable Point · 13:23-14:49
HMS Stork's survey fit left a quick route to wartime escort service
HMS Stork entered service as an unarmed survey vessel, but the availability of her planned weapons allowed the Royal Navy to convert the specialized peacetime hull quickly when war began.