F-Class
Fleet Destroyer ordered from John Brown, Clydebank, Glasgow in January 1933
under the 1932 Build
Programme and was laid down on 28th July That year. She was launched on 29th
August 1934 as the 22nd R N
warship to carry the name, dating from 1512
and previously used by a 1913 destroyer sunk in the Battle of
Jutland. Build was completed on 27th April 1935 and cost £247,564, excluding
Admiralty supplied equipment
such as guns, ammunition and communications equipment. She was serving in the
Home Fleet when war
was declared in September 1939. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National
Savings campaign in May
1942 the ship was adopted by the civil community of Midlothian, Scotland.
This destroyer was transferred
to the Royal Canadian Navy on 15 June 1943 and renamed HMCS SASKATCHEWAN.
B a t t l e H o n o
u r s
ARMADA 1588* - PORTLAND 1653 - GABBARD 1653
-
ORFORDNESS 1666 - MINORCA 1756 - CHESAPEAKE 1781 - JUTLAND 1916 - ATLANTIC 1939 - NORTH SEA 1940 - MALTA CONVOYS 1941-42
(* Awarded to the mercantile FORTUNE OF ALDBOROUGH)
H e
r a l d i c D a t a
On a Field Blue, a wheel gold with silver wing
D e t a i l s o
f W a r S e r v i c e a s H M S F O R T U N E
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 3 9
August
Took up War
Station at Scapa Flow with ships of 8th Destroyer Flotilla in Home Fleet.
September
3rd
- Deployed for anti-submarine patrol and escort duty in NW Approaches.
20th - Shared
credit for sinking of U27 with HM Destroyer FORESTER in position 58.32N 09.02W.
There were some survivors from the submarine.
October to December
Fleet
escort and patrol duties in continuation. (For details of activities in Home waters during 1939
see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and the Naval Staff
History.)
1 9 4 0
January to
February
Deployed on
Fleet and convoy defence duties in NW Approaches.
March
20th - During
escort of Home Fleet units carrying out search operation N W of Shetlands sank
U44 in position 63.27N 00.36W. There were no survivors from the submarine.
April
Under
repair. On completion
joined Fleet units off Norway for screening of major units and for convoy defence.
23rd - Formed
part of A/S screen for HM Aircraft Carriers GLORIOUS and ARK ROYAL during joint
carrier air operations for protection of allied troops at Andalsnes
and at Namsos (Operation DX).
May
8th
- Escorted HM Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW taking Royal Marines for occupation of
Iceland (Operation FORK).
10th - On
completion took passage to resume Fleet duties.
June
Fleet
screening duties in continuation.
July
Part
of screen for Fleet units during search for submarine SHARK in North Sea.
August
Detached for
Atlantic convoy escort duty with 4th Destroyer Flotilla.
5th - Joined
military convoy WS2 in Clyde with H M Destroyers WATCHMAN, VORTIGERN and FURY
for Local Escort in NW Approaches.
7th
- Detached from WS2 and returned to Clyde.
10th - Rescued
survivors after sinking of HM Armed Merchant Cruiser TRANSYLVANIA NW of Malin Head with HM Destroyers ACHATES and ANTELOPE. Resumed
duties with 8th Destroyer Flotilla and transferred to Force H based at
Gibraltar.
20th - Sailed
for Gibraltar as part of screen for HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Battlecruiser
RENOWN and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESIGHT,
FEARLESS, FURY, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT and FOXHOUND.
29th - Arrived
at Gibraltar and joined Force H.
30th - Deployed
as screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD in Force B with HM
Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FIREDRAKE. FORESTER and ENCOUNTER to cover passage
of HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS, HM Battleship VALIANT, HM Cruisers COVENTRY
and CALCUTTA to Sicilian Narrows to join Fleet at Alexandria. (Operation
HATS/MB - This also covered air attacks on Cagliari by HMS ARK ROYAL (Operation
SMASH/GRAB). For further details of activities in Mediterranean 1940-42, see ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D MacIntyre)
September
3rd
- On return to Gibraltar with Force B nominated for support of Free French
landing, at Dakar. (Operation
MENACE - For details see MENACE by A Marder and RELUCTANT ENEMIES by W Tute.)
6th - Deployed
with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORESTER, FORESIGHT and GREYHOUND as screen
for HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Battleship RESOLUTION during passage to Freetown to
join ships of Force M.
22nd
- Sailed from Freetown as screen for major units of Force M to carry out
landings at Dakar.
24th
- Deployed for anti-submarine patrol during naval bombardment of Dakar. Sank French submarine AJAX attempting
to attack fleet off Dakar and rescued crew of 76.
25th - Operation
abandoned because of risk of damage to major units by shore fire. Took return
passage to Freetown as part of screen for Force M ships.
October
Retained in
West Africa for support planned landing by Free French at Duala.
8th
- Supported French landings at Duala.
16th
- Passage to Gibraltar to resume duties with Force H.
19th
- Deployed at Gibraltar for local anti-submarine patrol with ships of Flotilla.
31st - Deployed
with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FIREDRAKE, GALLANT, GRIFFIN and GALLANT
as screen for HMS RENOWN and HM Battleship BARHAM during surveillance of a
reported movement of Vichy French naval units.
November
9th - Part of
screen for HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR,
FIREDRAKE, FOXHOUND, FORESTER, FURY, DUNCAN, ISIS as Force B to provide cover
for passage of Force F in western Mediterranean to join Fleet at Alexandria (Note:
Force F comprised HMS BARHAM, HM Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW (Operation COAT)
- also covering air attacks by HMS ARK ROYAL on Cagliari. (Operation
CRACK).)
10th - Transferred
with HMS FAULKNOR and HMS FURY to join screen for Force F during the passage to
Malta through Sicilian Channel.
11th - Passage
from Malta to rejoin Force B west of Sicilian Narrows.
15th - Joined
Force B with HM Destroyers FOXHOUND, FORESTER, FAULKNOR and FIREDRAKE as screen
for HMS RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD providing cover during a Malta
aircraft delivery by HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS (Operation WHITE). (Note: This
operation also covered air strike by HMS ARK ROYAL as a diversion.)
December
Deployed with
Force H for patrol off Azores following reports of a landing by German troops.
20th - Joined
HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FOXHOUND and FIREDRAKE as screen for HMS
RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD providing cover of transit of HM
Battleship MALAYA and Convoy MG1 from Sicilian Narrows to Gibraltar. (Operation
HIDE - Screen for HMS MALAYA from Malta comprised HM Destroyers HERO, HASTY,
HEREWARD, HYPERION and ILEX, but HMS ILEX was detached to assist when HMS
HYPERION was torpedoed.)
December
On return from
HIDE deployed with screen for same ships of Force H for convoy defence west of Gibraltar after German cruiser HIPPER had
attacked Convoy WS5A.
1 9 4 1
January
Deployed with
HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FURY, FOXHOUND, FIREDRAKE and DUNCAN as
screen for HMS RENOWN. HMS MALAYA and HMS ARK ROYAL during
escort of military convoy through western Mediterranean (Operation EXCESS).
(Note: This operation also included transit of HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE with HM Destroyers
HASTY, HEREWARD, HERO and JAGUAR as Force F.)
February
Deployed for
Atlantic convoy defence.
March
30th - Deployed
with HM Destroyers FURY, FEARLESS, FORESTER, FOXHOUND, FORESIGHT, FAULKNOR and
HMS SHEFFIELD to intercept Vichy French convoy on passage from west Africa to
France (Operation RATION). Under air attack by Vichy French aircraft
which was unsuccessful.
April
2nd - Joined
screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers
FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESIGHT and FURY to cover Malta aircraft delivery (Operation WINCH).
4th
- Returned to Gibraltar.
6th
- Deployed as screen for Force H ships during search for German warships
reported in Atlantic.
10th
- Returned to Gibraltar with Force H.
24th - Joined
screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL, and HMS SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers
FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESIGHT and FURY to cover Malta aircraft delivery. (Operation
DUNLOP –This operation also covered transit of HM Cruisers DIDO and ABDIEL,
HM Destroyers KELLY, KIPLING, KASHMIR, KELVIN, JERSEY and JACKAL deployed as
Force S to be used as Strike Force in Malta (Operation SALIENT).)
28th - Returned
to Malta with Force H after Force S detached west of Sicilian Narrows.
May
6th - Deployed
with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FURY, FORESIGHT and FEARLESS as screen
for HM Battleship QUEEN ELIZABETH, HM Cruisers GLOUCESTER, NAIAD and FIJI for
passage to Malta covered by units of Force H (Operation TIGER – This
included passage of military convoy taking tanks to Middle East.)
9th - Took
passage from Malta to rejoin ships of Force H after refuelling.
10th
- Under air attacks and sustained structural damage by near miss off Bougaroni, Algeria. Extensive jettisoning of upper deck
equipment required and control of flooding. Resumed passage to Gibraltar
at reduced speed.
15th
- Under survey and temporary repair by HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.
June
Passage
to Chatham for permanent repair. Taken in hand by HM Dockyard, Chatham.
July to October
Under
repair.
November
Carried out
post repair trials. Prepared for return to operational duties.
December
Passage
to Gibraltar to rejoin Force H.
7th - On
arrival joined 19th Destroyer Flotilla.
Taken in hand
for repair of machinery by HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.
1 9 4 2
January
On completion
,deployment restricted to local anti-submarine patrol due to need to work-up and
machinery defects.
February
Transferred to
12th Destroyer Flotilla, Eastern Fleet.
9th - Embarked
aircraft engines and other spares for delivery to Malta and took passage with
HM Cruiser CLEOPATRA. (Note: The stability of the ship was compromised by
excessive top-weight caused by upper stowage of this material.)
10th
- Damaged in air attacks and temporarily disabled.
11th - Arrived
in Malta and disembarked deck cargo.
13th - Sailed
from Malta as part of escort for Convoy ME10 with HM Cruiser PENELOPE, HM Destroyers
DECOY, LEGION, LIVELY, SIKH and ZULU during passage in western Mediterranean to
meet Force B from Alexandria for onward escort (Operation MF5). (Note: ME10
comprised HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE, ss CLAN
FERGUSON, ss AJAX and ss
CITY OF CALCUTTA. For details of passage see MALTA CONVOYS.)
14th
- Transferred to Force B with HMS DECOY and remained with escort for passage to
Alexandria.
16th
- Detached from ME10 escort and made independent passage to join Eastern Fleet
with call at Aden.
March
Passage
to Colombo to join Eastern Fleet. (Note: Eastern Fleet was not formed until 26th and
comprised HM Battleships WARSPITE, RAMILLIES, RESOLUTION, REVENGE and ROYAL
SOVEREIGN, HM Aircraft Carriers FORMIDABLE, HERMES and ILLUSTRIOUS. HM Cruisers
DORSETSHIRE, CORNWALL, ENTERPRISE, EMERALD, DRAGON and CALEDON, HM Destroyers
GRIFFIN, ARROW, DECOY, EXPRESS, FOXHOUND, HOTSPUR, NAPIER (RAN), NIZAM (RAN),
NESTOR (RAN), NORMAN (RAN), VAMPIRE (RAN), PALADIN, PANTHER, SCOUT and TENEDOS.
There were in addition two Dutch cruisers and a destroyer. No operational
support base was available and many ships had significant defects after service
at Singapore with others newly commissioned and not fully worked up for Fleet
duties.)
24th
- Carried out search for Japanese warships south of Ceylon.
April
2nd
- Detached from screen to search for survivors from ss
GLENSHIEL sunk by Japanese submarine east of Addu
Atoll.
3rd - Rescued
survivors and took passage to Addu Atoll.
6th
- Landed passengers and sailed to rejoin Force B screen.
9th - Joined
screen for HMS RAMILLIES, HMS RESOLUTION, HMS REVENGE and HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN. (For
details of operations in Indian Ocean in this period see WAR WITH JAPAN
(HMSO).)
10th
- Passage to Kilindini with Force B.
12th
- Deployed in Indian Ocean for patrol and convoy defence
based at Kilindini.
May
Indian
Ocean convoy defence in continuation. (Note: Did not take part in
occupation of Madagascar (Operation IRONCLAD).)
June
Took passage to Alexandria for
detached service in Mediterranean with HMS GRIFFIN and HMS HOTSPUR.
11th - Arrived
at Alexandria.
12th - Deployed
as part of screen for HM Cruisers CLEOPATRA, DIDO, NEWCASTLE, ARETHUSA,
COVENTRY and BIRMINGHAM providing cover for Convoy MW11 during passage from
Egypt to Malta (Operation VIGOROUS).
13th - Sustained
damage and some casualties by 'friendly fire' (Note: Hit by shell from another
destroyer.)
14th - Under
heavy and sustained air attacks.
15th
- Under night attack by E-Boats. (Note: HMS NEWCASTLE was damaged and HM Destroyer
HASTY had to be sunk after torpedo damage.)
16th - Operation
abandoned after further damage and damage to convoy and escort. (Note: For full
details of this all fated and disastrous operation during which the conflicting
instructions from shore made a direct contribution to its failure see THE
BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, MALTA CONVOYS by R
Woodman and Naval Staff History.)
17th
- Returned to Alexandria with escort.
27th
- Deployed for escort of HMS NEWCASTLE during stern tow in Red Sea. (Note: HMS NEWCASTLE was on passage
to Bombay for repair.)
30th
- Detached from escort after steering defect and took independent passage to
Aden. (Note: This
defect was consequent on earlier problems during VIGOROUS.)
July
Passage
in Indian Ocean to Kilindini.
7th - Arrived
at Kilindini.
19th
- Deployed as escort for rms AQUITANIA during passage
to Diego Suarez with troops for planned operation. (Note: Steering at the high speed
during passage to prevent submarine attacks was made very hazardous.)
20th - Took
passage to Colombo for repair to steering gear.
August
Under
major repair to serious rudder damage.
13th - On
completion of repair took passage to rejoin Flotilla at Kilindini.
Deployed for convoy defence and patrol in Indian
Ocean.
September
Indian
Ocean deployment in continuation. (Note: For details of personnel problems see THE
FIGUREHEAD by R Macdonald.)
10th
- Part of escort for military convoy on passage for final stage of occupation
of Madagascar (Operation
STREAM - See Naval Staff History)
October
Indian
Ocean convoy defence in continuation.
November
Transferred to Simonstown for convoy defence. (Note:
Increase in sinkings of mercantiles
due to extensive U-Boat activity off Cape of Good Hope had made necessary an
increase in anti-submarine operations with air search by shore based aircraft.)
December
Deployed off
Cape of Good Hope. Carried out search for survivors from US mercantile PIERCE
BUTLER. Found four survivors and took them to Durban. Further search for
survivors from ss JEREMIAH WADSWORTH was
unsuccessful.
1 9 4 3
January
Nominated for
return to UK for refit. Passage to London fort refit in commercial shipyard.
February
Future
deployment under consideration. Paid off from RN service after transfer to Royal
Canadian Navy agreed. Taken in hand for refit.
March to April
Under
refit.
May
Carried out harbour trials. RCN key personnel joined ship.
31st
- Commissioned for service in RCN as Senior Officer's ship in 3rd Canadian
Escort Group. Renamed HMCS
SASKATCHEWAN.
June
Post
refit Trials in
Thames estuary and North Sea.
15th
- Formally transferred to RCN.
Passage to carry out work-up.
S e r v i c e a s H M C S S A S K A T C H E W A N
HMCS Saskatchewan
at speed (thanks to Bob Somerville and RCN)
July
On completion
of work-up joined Group for service as SO EG3. Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence in Mid Ocean Escort Force.
August to December
Atlantic
convoy defence in continuation.
1 9 4 4
January to April
Atlantic
convoy defence in continuation. Nominated for service in Plymouth
Command. Passage to Plymouth.
May
Transferred to
12th Escort Group based at Plymouth. Joined HM Canadian Destroyers QU'APPELLE,
RESTIGOUCHE and SKEENA for anti-submarine patrol in SW Approaches to prevent
interference by U-Boats during planned allied landings in Normandy (Operation
NEPTUNE). (For details of naval activities prior to and during landings, see
OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS IN NORMANDY, June 1944 (HMSO).)
June
Deployment
in SW Approaches and English Channel in continuation. (Note: Although not used in support
of landings or for defence of assault and back-up convoys
the ships of this Group made a significant contribution to the success of this
operation. No U-Boat attacks were made during execution of NEPTUNE.)
July
6th - During
interception patrol in Bay of Biscay with HMCS QU'APPELLE and HMCS SKEENA
engaged two trawlers acting as escort for surfaced U-Boats during passage near
base ports. Sustained casualties from return fire during engagement. One of
ship's company was killed and four injured. Two
U-boats involved in this engagement escaped.
28th
- Released from Plymouth Command and resumed Atlantic convoy defence.
August
Nominated for
return to Canada for refit and took independent passage.
September
Taken In hand
far refit at Shelburne, Nova Scotia.
October
Under
refit.
November
Post
refit trials.
December
Under
repair at St Johns, Newfoundland.
1 9 4 5
January
Passage
to UK to resume service in EG3 for convoy defence.
February
Deployed in UK
coastal waters for convoy defence. (Note: SCHNORKEL
fitted U-Boats were concentrating attacks on focal points used for assembly and
reformation in SW Approaches and NW Approaches. Convoys were re-routed through
English Channel to east coast ports following the removal of the air threat
from bases in France. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and SEEK AND STRIKE.)
March to April
Transferred to
14th Canadian Escort Group and continued convoy defence.
May
Nominated for
trooping duties.
June to August
Deployed for
trooping duties between UK and Quebec.
P o s t W a r N o t e s
HMCS SASKATCHEWAN was laid-up in Reserve on 23rd September
1945 when she had completed her 5th trooping trip. On 28th January 1946 she was
finally paid-off and placed on the Sales List. Sold later that year she was
broken-up at Hamilton.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS as
HMS FORTUNE
by Don Kindell
This convoy list has not been cross-checked with the text above
|
|
|
|
|
Date convoy
sailed
|
Joined convoy as escort
|
Convoy No.
|
Left convoy
|
Date convoy
arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
30/01/40
|
05/02/40
|
TC 003
|
07/02/40
|
07/02/40
|
11/03/40
|
12/03/40
|
ON 019/1
|
14/03/40
|
14/03/40
|
14/03/40
|
14/03/40
|
HN 019
|
17/03/40
|
17/03/40
|
12/06/40
|
12/06/40
|
FN 0194
|
13/06/40
|
14/06/40
|
23/07/40
|
04/08/40
|
HX 060
|
05/08/40
|
07/08/40
|
05/08/40
|
05/08/40
|
WS 002
|
07/08/40
|
08/08/40
|
04/09/40
|
04/09/40
|
HG 043
|
05/09/40
|
18/09/40
|
14/02/41
|
14/02/41
|
SLG 001A
|
16/02/41
|
22/02/41
|
06/05/41
|
06/05/41
|
TIGER
|
12/05/41
|
12/05/41
|
11/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
MW 011
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
19/12/42
|
19/12/42
|
CF 010
|
22/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
09/01/43
|
09/01/43
|
CM 037A
|
11/01/43
|
24/01/43
|
10/01/43
|
20/01/43
|
MC 003
|
23/01/43
|
23/01/43
|
25/01/43
|
25/01/43
|
CF 011
|
27/01/43
|
27/01/43
|
30/01/43
|
30/01/43
|
CF 011A
|
11/02/43
|
11/02/43
|
14/02/43
|
14/02/43
|
CF 011B
|
24/02/43
|
25/02/43
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as HMCS SASKATCHEWAN
|
|
|
|
|
|
09/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
ON 192
|
18/07/43
|
22/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
29/07/43
|
HX 249
|
05/08/43
|
06/08/43
|
20/08/43
|
21/08/43
|
ONS 016
|
29/08/43
|
01/09/43
|
02/09/43
|
08/09/43
|
HX 255
|
15/09/43
|
16/09/43
|
26/09/43
|
27/09/43
|
ONS 019
|
09/10/43
|
14/10/43
|
11/10/43
|
17/10/43
|
HX 261
|
25/10/43
|
26/10/43
|
06/11/43
|
07/11/43
|
ON 210
|
17/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
19/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
SC 147
|
03/12/43
|
04/12/43
|
16/12/43
|
17/12/43
|
ON 216
|
29/12/43
|
03/01/44
|
30/12/43
|
03/01/44
|
SC 150
|
14/01/44
|
14/01/44
|
28/01/44
|
29/01/44
|
ONS 028
|
11/02/44
|
15/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
17/02/44
|
HX 279
|
28/02/44
|
29/02/44
|
08/03/44
|
09/03/44
|
ON 227
|
17/03/44
|
22/03/44
|
21/03/44
|
26/03/44
|
HX 284
|
05/04/44
|
06/04/44
|
13/04/44
|
16/04/44
|
ON 232
|
17/04/44
|
29/04/44
|
10/04/45
|
10/04/45
|
DS 064
|
13/04/45
|
13/04/45
|
14/04/45
|
14/04/45
|
SD 064
|
17/04/45
|
17/04/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note on Convoys)