Sorry it O.T guys but its a good story..
On the 6th april 1940 the 1,300 ton G class destroyer HMS Glowworm was escorting minelayers off the Norwegian coast.
In the early hours of the 8th april Glowworm detatched from the group, searching for a man overboard.
At 8am Glowworm encountered 2 Kreigsmarine destroyers, who exchanged fire. In bad visibilty Glowworm followed. She abruptly encountered the ultra modern 14,000 ton new Kreigsmarine heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper.
Glowworm engaged, using smoke and launched torpedo attacks. This continued for 20 minutes. By this time Glowworm had been hit severly by Hippers 175mm and 120mm armament.

- HMS Glowworm making smoke, seen from Hipper
Her commander, Lt Cdr GB Rooper, then ordered Glowworm to ram the KMS Admiral Hipper. This she did, tearing away 30m of Hippers armour and causing some other damage. Glowworm managed to back away, her entire bow ripped away but recieved another salvo, causing final damage and beginning her to sink.

- Glowworm sinking. seen from Hipper
The commander of Admiral Hipper, Helmuth Heye, gallantly stayed in the area for over an hour picking up survivors, despite risk of submarine attack.

- Glowworm survivors being rescued by Hippers crew
- HMS Glowworm 13A.png (191.9 KiB) Viewed 8814 times
However due to the cold and the many badly wounded, only 39 of the Glowworms 149 crew were rescued alive. Her commander was lost.
Lt Cmdr Rooper was posthumously awarded the VC, the first of the war. This award was greatly assisted by Capt Heye, who wrote a commendation of the Glowworms conduct to the British Admiralty, via the red Cross.
This was perhaps the last "battle of gentlemen" in naval warfare.
After the war Vice Admiral heye served under Conrad Adeneur in the CDU, elected to represent Wilhelmshaven.
He was the Bundestag ombudsmen for all military matters until his resignation in 1964. he died in 1970.
He was a recipient of the Ritterkreutz. (Knights Cross) in 1941.
This is a good example of small ship spirit. I really admire all small ship crews the world over. They are the light cavalry of the ocean.