HMS Sussex was a London class cruiser of 10,000 tons. During August 1940, she was in the Clyde to have a turbine rebladed, with the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering and Alexander Stephen & Co of Linthouse contracted for the work. The repair was expected to last six weeks, but was completed four days ahead of schedule and the crew had been instructed to rejoin their ship by midnight on 17 September 1940.
was made ready for sea, being fully stored and armed. She lay berthed in the West Basin of Yorkhill Quay, with only final engine room adjustments to be made, with 300 to 400 naval personnel on board. Her intended sailing date was 23 September 1940 and she was to go never took part in these operations.
