Portuguese destroyers of the Douro-class 1933-1967

Dão (pennant F since 1956 D331), launched at Estaleiro Real, Lisbon, Portugal on 30 July 1934, commissioned on 5 January 1935 and finally stricken on 29 November 1960. Machinery supplied by Yarrow.
Douro (I), launched at Estaleiro Real, Lisbon, Portugal on 18 November 1933, but sold to Columbia in 1934 where she was renamed ARC Caldas.
Douro (pennant DR since 1956 D332) (II), launched at Estaleiro Real, Lisbon, Portugal on 16 August 1935, commissioned on 11 February 1936 and finally stricken in December 1959. Machinery supplied by Yarrow.
Lima (pennant L since 1956 D 333), launched at Yarrow, Scotstoun, England on 29 May 1935 and finally discarded on 16 October 1965. Building ordered on 12 June 1931. Machinery supplied by Yarrow.
Tejo (I), launched at Lisbon, Portugal on 10 May 1933 and just like the Dourp sold to Columbia in 1934 where she was renamed ARC Antioquia.
Tejo (II) (pennantT since 1956 D335), launched at Estaleiro Real, Lisbon, Portugal on 4 May 1935, commissioned on 12 October 1935 and finally stricken on 9 February 1965. Machinery supplied by Yarrow.
Vouga (pennant V since 1956 D334), launched at Yarrow, Scotstoun, England  on 25 January 1933, commissioned on 24 June 1933and finally discarded on 3 June 1967. Building ordered on 12 June 1931. Machinery supplied by Yarrow.
These destroyers were to replace the Guadiana-class and was based on the Yarrow design of the prototype destroyer Ambuscade built for the British Royal Navy. The new destroyers were part of a fleet program dated 1930 for the next ten years in which British, Italian but also the Dutch shipyard Kon. Mij. De Schelde at Vlissingen, Netherlands were interested in receiving orders for building the planned ships. The Ambuscade-design was also used by the Royal Netherlands Navy for her so-called Admiralen-class destroyers which were all lost during the Second World War. Displacement 1.219 (empty)-1.563 (loaded) tons and as dimensions 98,48 x 9,50 x 3,33 metres or 323.1 x 31.2 x 8.6  feet. Horsepower 33.000 hp. Speed 36 knots and with a speed of 15 knots a range of 3.5000 nautical miles. Their crew numbered 147 men. Original armament consisted 0f 4-12cm/4.7” guns, 2-2pd Vickers Mk VIII anti aircraft guns and 8-21” torpedo tubus for Mk IX torpedoes. In 1042-1943 was a part of the armament replaced by 6-2cm guns. In 1946-1949 when at Yarrow the machinery was refurbished was chose for an anti aircraft armament of 3-4cm Bofors nd 3-2cm guns. Except for the Douro was in 1957 the armament again changed by removing 2-4.7” guns for a Squad anti submarine mortar and now an anti-aircraft armament of 5-4cm Bofors and 3-20cm guns.

The Dutch Hr. Ms. Banckert of the so-called Admiral-class. Source

According to the Dutch magazine Marineblad 1932 no. 4 reported that the Vouga and Lima were to be built at Lisbon under British supervision by the Sociedas de Construcoes e Reparaçoes Navalis. Claimed was that the Portuguese destroyers were an improved Acasta-design. This must be an error while the Acasta-class (since September 1913 the K-class) was built under the British Naval Program 1911-1912.

The edition of 1933 no. 7 reported that the Vouga executed her trials. The destroyers were described as ships of 1.380 ton, 33.000 hp. A speed of 36 knots and an armament of 2x4-53,3cm torpedo guns, 4-12cm guns, 3-4cm anti aircraft guns, 20 mines and 20 depth charges. The second destroyer Lima was to be completed in October , the 3rd destroyer the Tejo was nearly completed and the 4th the Douro was in July launched. She was reported as built under British supervision and with British parts at Lisbon. The 5th and the 6th unites named Dão  and Seculo (!) were tp be laid down after their sister ships were completed.

The edition of 1934 no. 4 was Columbia interested in buying the by Yarrow built Lima but instead were the Tejo and Douro sold by Portugal.