1
9 3 9
September
2nd
Passage to south coast of Japan
for interception patrol.
(Note: Italian cruiser BARTOLOMEO COLLEONI
had been reported in Japan
and would
have been brought to action in event of
war with Italy).
3rd
Trade defence and interception duties in
continuation off Japan
and China.
(Note: Enemy mercantiles were to be taken
as Prize if possible but it was known
that ships would scuttle if unable to
prevent capture.)
16th
Passage to Hong
Kong after relief by HM Cruiser KENT.
22nd
Passage to resume patrol duties in
Northern area.
October
Interception and trade defence patrol in
continuation.
11th
Passage to Hong
Kong for docking.
18th
Transferred to East
Indies Station.
Prepared for passage to Colombo with call at Singapore.
25th
On arrival at Colombo
deployed with HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER and CORNWALL for
trade defence and interception patrol in Indian Ocean.
28th
Joined Hunting Force I with HM Aircraft
Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruiser CORNWALL,
HM
Destroyers WATERHEN (RAN) and VENDETTA
(RAN) based at Colombo.
(Note: This Group was deployed for
interception of commerce raiders known to
be
operating
in Indian
Ocean and South Atlantic and including the battleship
GRAF SPEE.
(See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by
Corelli Barnett).
November
Force I deployment in continuation.
10th
Carried out search for GRAF SPEE in Indian
Ocean with Force I.
December
3rd
During interception patrol transferred to
South Atlantic Station.
Detached from Force I and took passage via
Mauritius
to Simonstown.
10th
Arrived at Simonstown for duty in South
Atlantic.
13th
Sailed for patrol between Tristan
Da Cunha and Falkland Islands.
19th
Diverted to join HM Cruisers ACHILLES
(RNZN), AJAX and EXETER off Montevideo
after sinking of German battleship GRAF
SPEE (See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY and THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE by Dudley
Pope).
22nd
After refuelling off Montevideo
sailed for Port Stanley, Falklands.
24th
Joined HMNZS ACHILLES, HMS AJAX and HMS
EXETER at Port Stanley.
(Note: Shore leave not granted because of
weather conditions).
29th
Sailed from Port
Stanley with HM Cruiser CUMBERLAND.
30th
Passage to patrol area after HMS
CUMBERLAND detached for transit to
Simonstown.
1
9 4 0
January
3rd
Joined HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE.
5th
Deployed on patrol off Montevideo.
12th
Carried out Gunnery exercises with HMS
AJAX and HMS SHROPSHIRE.
On completion too passage from patrol area
to Falklands.
(Note: HMS AJAX
sailed for Freetown
on passage to Plymouth).
18th
Arrived at Port
Stanley.
(Note: Shore Leave granted for first time
in Falklands)
21st
Escorted KM Cruiser EXETER
with HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE during passage
to UK
after
being, damaged
in action with GRAF SPEE.
29th
Escort of WS EXETER transferred to Home
Fleet ships in position 17 Degrees South
30 Degrees West.
(Note: These included HM Battlecruiser
REPULSE and HM Aircraft Carrier ARK
ROYAL
and Fleet Destroyers).
Resumed trade defence and interception
duties in South
Atlantic.
February
South Atlantic duties in continuation with
HMS SHROPSHIRE.
3rd
HM Cruiser HAWKINS joined patrol.
8th
Detached for passage to Buenos
Aires.
(Note: On arrival received 76 Bags of
mail, the first since leaving Colombo
!)
Outstanding hospitality from British
community).
9th
Resumed patrol.
10th
Joined HM Aircraft
Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN
and HM Cruiser
CUMBERLAND
for interception of commerce raiders and
blockade runners in Atlantic.
12th
Ship's aircraft intercepted German
freighter WAKAMA off Cape
Frio.
Enemy ship set on fire by crew and
scuttled.
46 rescued from boats and made Prisoners
of War.
27th
Passage to Falklands
from patrol area.
29th
Arrived at Port
Stanley.
(Note: Planned visit to Montevideo cancelled).
March
2nd
Embarked wounded survivors from HMS EXETER
and took passage.
7th
Called at Tristan
da Cunha
(Note: Ship had steamed 100,000 miles
since leaving UK
on 14 September
1937.
11th
Disembarked wounded and prisoners from
WAKAMA at Capetown.
(Note: The prisoners had been released
from close custody.).
15th
Passage to HM Dockyard Simonstown for
docking and refit.
(Note: During the 190 days since outbreak
of war ship has steamed 60,000 miles).
April
Under repair at Simonstown.
24th
Took passage for UK
for further refit with calls at Freetown and Gibraltar.
May
Passage in Atlantic
22nd
Sailed from Gibraltar.
25th
Arrived at Plymouth.
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard
Devonport.
(Note: Leave granted - 7 days for each
Watch ! ).
June
Under refit.
9th
Carried out Post Refit trials.
23rd
Joined HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES for
surveillance of French warships at Dakar.
25th
Shadowed French battleship RICHELIEU
during her passage from Dakar to
Casablanca.
July
Surveillance of Vichy French warships in
continuation.
4th
Joined HM Cruiser AUSTRALIA (RAN) and HMS
HERMES off Dakar.
8th
Deployed with HMAS AUSTRALIA
to provide cover during attack on RICHELIEU at Dakar.
(Note: Depth charges were dropped
alongside French warship by motor boat
from
HMS HERMES covered by aircraft. See
RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W
Tute)
On completion resumed interception duties
in Atlantic
with HMS HERMES.
10th
HMS HERMES in collision with H M Anted
Merchant Cruiser CORFU and detached to
go to Freetown.
HMS CORFU taken in tow by tug,
15th
Carried out unsuccessful search for raider
500 miles west of Cape
Verde Islands.
24th
Intercepted Portuguese ship and detained
Italian Consul who was a passenger.
29th
Landed Consul at Freetown
and refuelled.
On completion sailed to carry out search
for German raider reported by HM Armed
Merchant Cruiser ALCANTARA.
August
Atlantic search in continuation.
11th
Refuelled at Freetown
and resumed search.
21st
Called at St.
Helena.
24th
Sailed to join rms ORION as escort to
Capetown.
25th
Completed 3 years since commissioning.
28th
Relieved Netherlands cruiser as escort for
rms ORION.
29th
Arrived at Capetown and took passage to
Simonstown.
September
Passage to Durban for routine docking.
4th
Arrived Durban.
(Note: Mileage steamed in first year of
war 92,300.)
18th
On completion took passage to Freetown
to resumed interception and convoy defence
duties in Atlantic
with call at Simonstown.
29th
Arrived at Freetown
after rough passage.
October
7th
Resumed patrol
duties.
18th
Returned to Freetown
to refuel
19th
Joined escort for military convoy WS3B
during passage in Atlantic and Indian Ocean
for defence against raiders.
(Note: Convoy included mv GEORGIC, rms
MONARCH OF BERMUDA, rms ORONTES,
.
ss DUCHESS OF YORK,
rms CAPETOWN
CASTLE and rms STIRLING CASTLE).
28th
Detached from convoy on arrival at
Capetown.
30th
Rejoined escort for WS3 after stay at
Simonstown.
November
Escort of WS3 in continuation.
3rd
Additional 7 ships joined convoy for
passage to Aden.
12th
HM Cruisers CARLISLE,
CALEDON, HM Sloops PARAMATTA (RAN) and AUCKLAND
joined WS3
as escort during passage
in Red Sea.
14th
Detached from WS3 and took passage to Aden.
17th
On departure from Aden
took passage to resume duties in Atlantic.
Diverted for support of military
operations in Somaliland
on passage to Durban.
18th
Bombarded Dante in Italian
Somaliland. 200 rounds fired.
Discharged torpedoes at wharves to prevent
use.
On release resumed passage..
December
Passage in Indian
Ocean
(Note: Sighted by German raider ATLANTIS
which withdrew without being observed.
Planned operations in southern oceans were
abandoned after the unexpected
encounter.)
2nd
Sailed from Durban
to Simonstown.
4th
Routine docking at Simonstown.
(Note: No all night leave granted even to
'natives').
15th
Sailed for Freetown.
18th
On arrival refuelled and immediately
deployed with HM Cruiser NEPTUNE to search
in area 500 miles west of Freetown
for German battleship SCHEER after ss
DUQUESA
made a raider report
(Note: Deployed as Hunting Force K)
26th
Returned to Freetown
to refuel after dismal Xmas Day at sea
during search.
27th
Sailed to reinforce defence of Convoy
WS5A.
(Note: German cruiser HIPPER had been
driven off an attack on WS5A by HM
Cruisers
BERWICK and DEVONSHIRE
on 25th December.)
31st
HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE joined
Force.
1
9 4 1
January
3rd
HM Cruiser DUNEDIN and HM Aircraft Carrier
FURIOUS deployed to reinforce defence
of WS5A
5th
Arrived at Freetown.
8th
Deployed with HMS FORMIDABLE and HM
Cruiser NORFOLK for interception patrol and
to cover
passage of WS5A
to Cape
of Good Hope..
15th
HMS FORMIDABLE and HMS NORFOLK detached to
continue cover for WS5A.
Resumed interception patrol
(Note: Burial at sea of Petty Officer
who had committed suicide.).
21st
Intercepted Vichy
French ss MENDOZA.
Prize crew put on board.
and ship proceeded
independently to Freetown).
Trade defence and interception patrol
resumed.
25th
Called at St
Helena.
(Note: Tanker was stationed at St Helena for support of ships deployed in South
Atlantic)
26th
Passage to Freetown.
29th
Arrived at Freetown.
February
1st
Resumed patrol duties after Prize crew
rejoined.
3rd
After refuelling at Freetown
deployed for convoy defence and took
passage to join
military
convoy on passage to Middle East.
7th
Met HM Cruiser KENYA
with convoy and escorted to Freetown.
11th
Sailed with convoy for Capetown.
19th
Arrived at Capetown.
20th
Leading Seaman committed suicide whilst at
Capetown..
21st
Sailed with convoy for passage in Indian
Ocean.
24th
Detached from convoy in search for raider
reported in area.
26th
Rejoined convoy after unsuccessful search.
28th
HM Cruiser GLASGOW joined convoy.
(Note: These convoys have not been
identified as WS Series. Further research
required.)
March
2nd
Detached from Convoy and took passage to Seychelles.
5th
During stay at Seychelles
ship's WALRUS aircraft crashed on shore.
(Four naval personnel and one civilian
lost their lives.)
6th
Took passage to Simonstown after the
funeral of those killed in WALRUS crash.
12th
Arrived at Simonstown.
27th
Deployed for escort of military Convoy WS6
during passage in Indian Ocean and sailed from
Capetown.
(Note: German raider PINGUIN was active in
Indian Ocean
in this period).
April
2nd
(Note: An additional 19 ships of Convoy
WS6 were escorted separately by HM
Cruisers
PHOEBE and CORNWALL.)
7th
Detached from WS6 SHIPS and took passage
to Durban.
10th
Arrived at Durban.
(Note: HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS in
port during passage from Mediterranean
to
USA
for repair after being badly damaged in
air attacks).
15th
Deployed for escort of military convoy to
Capetown.
(Note: Convoy included ss EMPRESS OF JAPAN
and mv MONARCH OF BERMUDA).
19th
HMS ILLUSTRIOUS joined convoy.
23rd
Sailed with same ships for passage to St
Helena.
27th
Additional ships joined convoy at St
Helena and took passage the same day
.
29th
Transferred escort of mercantiles to HM
Cruiser DUNEDIN and remained as escort
for HMS
ILLUSTRIOUS for passage north.
May
4th
Transferred escort of HMS ILLUSTRIOUS to
HM Cruiser CARADOC.
Detached for independent passage to Freetown.
6th
Rescued 35 survivors from ss OAKDENE,
torpedoed by submarine earlier that day.
(Note: HMS CORNWALL deployed in Indian Ocean received a distress message from the
British tanker BRITISH EMPEROR on 7th May
after being attacked by German
commerce raider PINGUIN.
PINGUIN was intercepted and sunk on 8th
May by HMS CORNWALL).
8th
Arrived at Freetown.
11th
On arrival nominated for escort of Convoy
SL747 which had sailed on 10th May for
passage
to UK.
12th
Joined HM Armed Merchant Cruiser BULOLO as
escort for Convoy SL74.
26th
Detached from Convoy SL74 to join search
operation for German battleship BISMARCK
after sinking of HM Battlecruiser HOOD.
27th
Directed to BISMARCK'S
position by HM Destroyer COSSACK.
Took part in engagement with HM
Battleships RODNEY and KING GEORGE V.
Sank BISMARCK with torpedoes after she had been
demolished by surface gunfire.
Rescued 110 survivors with HM Destroyer
MAORI until operation cancelled because of
increased threat of attack by U-Boats and
aircraft.
(For details see PURSUIT by Ludovic
Kennedy and Naval Staff History)
29th
Burial for German sailor who had died from
injuries received during action.
30th
Prisoners landed and handed to military
escort.
Arrived at South
Shields.
June
Paid off after 3 years, 10 months in
commission.
Total mileage steamed 207,401.
Taken in hand for refit in Tyne shipyard.
Air warning radar fitted
(Note: For details of development and use
of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA
by D Howse)
July
Re-commissioned for Atlantic interception
and convoy defence based at Freetown
19th
Carried out Post Refit trials.
27th
On completion took passage to Scapa
Flow.
28th
Commenced work-up with 1st Cruiser
Squadron.
August
Work-up in continuation.
8th
Captain B C S Martin relieved by Captain
Agar.
9th
Present at Royal visit by HM King George
VI to Home Fleet at Scapa Flow.
(Note: Royal Inspection by HM The King on
board HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS
included
some of ship's
company.)
15th
Sailed from Scapa
Flow to join escort for military Convoy
WS10X in Clyde.
20th
Provided Ocean Escort for Atlantic passage
of WS10X from Clyde.
28th
Detached from WS10X on arrival at Freetown.
Deployed for trade defence.
29th
Passage to St
Helena.
September
South Atlantic deployment In continuation
18th
Deployed with HMS EAGLE off St
Helena.
21st
Ship's WALRUS aircraft crashed over bows
of HMS EAGLE.
26th
Returned to St
Helena.
28th
Passage to Freetown
with HMS EAGLE.
October
3rd
Arrived at Freetown.
8th
Took passage to Join military convoy WS12
after embarking new seaplane.
10th
Joined WS12 during passage from UK
as relief for HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE
14th
Detached from MS12 with Local Escort on
arrival at Freetown.
17th
Sailed with HM Cruiser DUNEDIN
to join escort for convoy.
19th
Returned to Freetown
and rejoined WS12 with HMS DEVONSHIRE as
Ocean Escort
during
passage to Indian
Ocean..
30th
Remained with WS12 as Ocean Escort when
HMS DEVONSHIRE detached.
November
3rd
Detached from W512 on arrival at Durban.
Resumed trade defence and interception
role during passage to Freetown.
Arrived at Freetown
for convoy defence and sailed after
refuelling.
11th
Deployed for search for German commerce
raiders ATLANTIS and U-Boat Supply ship
PYTHON, known to be operating in Atlantic
(Note: These movements had been the result
of interception of signals and decryption
of ENIGMA at Bletchley Park. See BREAKING THE ENIGMA by D Kahn.
HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and BRITISH
INTELLIGENCE IN WW2
(HMSO).
HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, DUNEDIN and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser
CARNARVON
CASTLE were also deployed independently.
December
1st
Sighted German U-Boat supply ship PYTHON
with submarines UA and U68 alongside.
Submarines departed and made torpedo
attack which failed. PYTHON scuttled.
In view of threat of further submarine
attack left the area and took passage to
Simonstown.
Nominated for Ocean Escort of military
convoy WS12X during passage in Indian
Ocean.
(Note: This convoy had been specially and
most unusually routed because of the
threat.
It had been escorted
by US Navy warships for part of Atlantic
passage including
aircraft carrier USS RANGER, cruisers
QUINCY and VINCENNES
screened by
eight US Navy destroyers as part of US
foreign policy
before entry
into WW2.)
7th
Arrived at Simonstown
13th
Joined HS12X as Ocean escort during
passage in Indian Ocean.
Six USN destroyers provided anti-submarine
screen.
(Note: WS12X had been Intended for Suez
but was redirected to Bombay.
USS RANGER and two destroyers had detached
on 27th November)
14th
Remained as Ocean Escort when the six Navy
destroyers detached.
27th
Detached from WS12X on arrival..
1
9 4 2
January
2nd
Took passage from Bombay
to Durban for convoy escort. 10th Arrived
at Durban.
13th
Joined escort for military convoy to Bombay.
21st
Detached to refuel at Aden.
22nd
Rejoined convoy escort.
26th
Arrived at Bombay.
February
Nominated for defence of convoys to Singapore.
7th
Took passage to Colombo.
8th
Arrived at Colombo
for new duties.
10th
Took passage.
14th
Joined Singapore convoy during passage.
17th
Detached and returned to Colombo
19th
Arrived at Colombo
21st
Sailed to join escort for Singapore
convoy.
23rd
Detached after relief by HM Cruiser
GLASGOW.
Took passage to Trincomalee
24th
Arrived at Trincomalee.
26th
Sailed from Trincomalee to join convoy.
27th
Joined escort for military convoy to Rangoon.
(Note: Eastern Fleet was in course of
Formation)
March
2nd
Deployed in support of military operations
to evacuate personnel from Burma.
Landed Royal Marines Detachment to man
Motor Launches of Inshore Flotilla
during evacuation of allied troops to
Akyab from Burma.
On completion escorted evacuation convoy
from Rangoon.
5th
Arrived at Trincomalee.
24th
Passage to Colombo
for refit
27th
Entered dry dock.
31st
Refit work suspended when Japanese surface
ships reported in Indian Ocean
Undocked and sailed from Colombo to join Eastern Fleet ships off Ceylon.
(See OPERATION PACIFIC by Edwyn Grey and
WAR WITH JAPAN
(HMSO) ).
April
Passage with HMS CORNWALL to join HM
Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft
Carriers INDOMITABLE, FORMIDABLE, HM
Cruisers ENTERPRISE
and EMERALD
as Force "A" in search for Japanese
warships reported on passage to Ceylon.
2nd
Detached with HMS CORNWALL to return to Ceylon
to continue refit.
(Note: HMS CORNWALL was required to join
military convoy SU4 due at Trincomalee
on 8th April and on passage to Australia
after ANZAC troops withdrawn from Middle
East because of Japanese threat to Australia).
4th
Recalled by CinC Eastern Fleet to join
Force A after further report of Japanese
warships.
Took passage to join Fleet with HMS
CORNWALL.
5th
Sighted by aircraft from Japanese cruiser
TONE in position 01.54N 77.45E south of Ceylon.
Came under heavy dive bombing attacks and
sank within 8 minutes.
234 of ship's company lost their lives. (Casualty
List - note
on casualties)
6th
1,122 survivors from both cruisers rescued
by HMS ENTERPRISE, HM Destroyer PANTHER
and PALADIN some 30 hours after the
sinking.
(For details see OPERATION PACIFIC, ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY. the
Naval Staff History Battle Summary No 15, TURNS OF FATE by
Dimbleby and WAR WITH
JAPAN
(HMSO).
