Early in World War II fifty obsolete US Navy destroyers were transferred to the Royal Navy in return for a 99year lease British bases in the Caribbean Bahamas and Newfoundland. Though they were obsolete and far from ideal they played a vital role in the Royal Navys campaign. This is their complete story. Topics covered include the background to the acquisition of the ships the Battle of the Atlantic their specification and design and modifications in RN service operations and achievements suc