Apollo was commissioned in 1944, left service in 1946, and returned in 1951. She used her speed to carry relief supplies to islands during the Korean War and also served as flagship of the Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet. In 1960 the Weapon-class destroyer HMS Battleaxe accidentally moved forward during steam trials alongside at Portsmouth, broke Apollo's moorings, and drove her into the frigate HMS Wakeful. Apollo suffered stern damage, while Wakeful also struck a caisson at the dock entrance. Repairing Apollo then had to compete with work on other major ships under a tight budget. The collision helped end a career in which the class's wartime speed and capacity had remained useful for postwar logistics and command.
Notable Point · 36:40-38:32
Apollo's Korean War and Home Fleet utility
Apollo's high-speed Korean War relief runs and service as Home Fleet flagship show why the Royal Navy still valued the class after 1945.