In 1939, Brazil ordered from Great Britain a series of six modern H-class destroyers with enhanced anti-submarine weapons; however, due to the outbreak of World War II, the British bought these destroyers out. The lead ship, Juruá, was initially named HMS Handy in the British Navy but was then renamed HMS Harvester. She participated in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk, escorted convoys in the North Atlantic, and was later transferred to Force H and escorted convoys to Malta. On March 3, 1943, the former Juruá rammed German submarine U-444, sustained hull damage, and sank the next day after being hit by submarine U-432.