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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2 by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS HESPERUS (H 57) -  ex-Brazilian H-type Destroyer including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Hesperus (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

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Variant of H-Class Fleet Destroyer ordered on 16th December 1937 from John I Thornycroft, Woolston by Brazil. The ship was laid down on 6th July 1938 and when launched on 1st August 1939 was given the name JURUENA. During fitting out en 5th September she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and renamed HMS HEARTY, and the first RN ship to carry this name (See below). Basic design was similar to the RN H-Class but cabin accommodation was much improved. Before RN use the after 4.7in gun was removed to enable more depth charges to be carried. This ship was commissioned for RN service on 15th January 1940 and adopted by the civil community of Yeovil, Somerset in March 1942 following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

NORWAY 1940 - ATLANTIC 1940-45 - ENGLISH  CHANNEL 1945

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field per fess wavy Blue and barry wavy of

eight White and Blue, an estoile White.

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

 

(for more ship information,  go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search)

 

 

1 9 3 9

 

September             Fitting out at Woolston after launch.

                5th          Requisitioned by British Government.

 

October                  (Note: To be commissioned HMS HEARTY on completion.

to December          Build completion and contractors harbour trials

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Contractors trials.

                15th        Commissioned for RN service in 9th Destroyer Flotilla as HMS HEARTY.

                22nd       Completion of build and Acceptance Trials.

                29th        Worked-up for operational service at Portland.

 

February

                27th        Name changed to HMS HESPERUS.

                                (Note: This was to ensure no confusion with HMS HARDY in signals or correspondence.)

                                On completion of work-up joined Flotilla in Western Approaches.

 

March                    Deployed for convoy escort in NW Approaches.

 

April                       NW Approaches deployment in continuation.

                9th          Transferred for duty with Home Fleet after German invasion of Norway.

                11th        Deployed with sister destroyer HMS HAVANT to investigate situation at Thorshvn, Faeroes.

                12th        Carried out anti-submarine search prior to arrival of Royal Marines to take over island after

                                German occupation of Denmark.

                13th        Deployed with HMS HAVANT as escort for HM Cruiser SUFFOLK during passage to Faeroes

                                with Royal Marines for initial occupation.

                14th        On release from Thorshvn detachment escorted m Battleship RESOLUTION with HM Destroyers

                                BASILISK and WREN for during passage to Narvik.

 

May                        Norwegian support in continuation.

                                (For details of the disastrous operations off Norway see NARVIK by D Macintyre, CARRIER

                                GLORIOUS by J Winton. THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by Adams and Naval Staff History

                                (HMSO-2001).

                11th        Embarked guns and army personnel. Took passage to Mo with HM Cruiser ENTERPRISE, HM

                                Sloop FLEETWOOD and mercantile ss MARGOT.

                                (Note: HMS CAIRO was deployed during passage to provide AA defence support and air cover

                                by HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.

                12th        Used to ferry Scots Guards ashore to Mo and Bodo from HMS ENTERPRISE after landing troops

                                embarked in ship at Rosyth.

                                Taken in hand for repair at Dundee on release from Norwegian support operations

.                               (Note: Ship had been damaged by near misses).

 

June                        On completion resumed Atlantic convoy defence duties with Flotilla .in NW Approaches.

 

July                         Atlantic convoy escort in continuation.

to

October

 

November              Flotilla re-designated 9th Escort Group.

                                Western Approaches duties in continuation.

 

                4th          Rescued survivors from HM Armed Merchant Cruisers PATROCLUS and LAURENTIC.

                                (Note: These two ships were torpedoed and sunk NW of Ireland by U99 on 3rd Nov).

                                Escorted Convoy HX83.

 

December              Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Sustained storm damage and taken in hand for repair.

 

February                On completion rejoined Group.

to                            Resumed Atlantic convoy defence duty.

March

 

April                       Nominated for transfer to Gibraltar for service with Force H.

                4th          Deployed with HMS HARVESTER and HMS HAVELOCK in search for survivors from six

                                mercantiles sunk in U-Boat attacks on Convoy SC26.

                26th        Deployed with HMS HARVESTER and HMS HAVELOCK as part of Ocean Escort for military

                                convoy WS8A during Atlantic passage.

                                (For details of Force H operations in 1941 see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN

                                by D MacIntyre, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett) and Naval Staff

                                History (HMSO-2002)

May

                2nd         Detached from military Convoy WS8A with HMS HARVESTER and HMS HAVELOCK with

                                mercantiles destined for Gibraltar.

                                Joined Force H on arrival.

                6th          Part of screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL and HM

                                Cruiser SHEFFIELD with HM Destroyers HAVELOCK, HARVESTER, KASHMIR and

                                KELLY which were covering passage of Malta relief convoy and reinforcement cruisers to

                                join Fleet in eastern Mediterranean (Operation TIGER).

                12th        Remained with Force H on return to Gibraltar.

                19th        Joined HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FOXHOUND, FURY and BRILLIANT

                                as screen for HMS RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD during

                                provision of cover for the delivery of aircraft to Malta by HMS ARK ROYAL

                                (Operation SPLICE).

                24th        Deployed as screen for HMS RENOWN and HMS ARK ROYAL during search for German

                                battleship BISMARCK.

                27th        Detached and returned to Gibraltar.

 

June                        Force H service in continuation.

                13th        Part of screen for HMS RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and VICTORIOUS

                                with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FEARLESS, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FOXHOUND

                                and WISHART during cover of Malta aircraft delivery by HMS VICTORIOUS.

                                (Operation TRACER).

                15th        After return to Gibraltar withdrawn from service in Force H.

                                (Note: This was deemed necessary for ships of this Class because of their lack of anti-aircraft

                                armament for duty in the Mediterranean).

                18th        Returned to UK as part of escort for HMS VICTORIOUS.

                21st         Taken in hand for refit at Liverpool

                                (Note: One source records that Wireless Direction Finding equipment (HF D/F) and a radio

                                telephone outfit were fitted. See SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann

                                This requires confirmation.)

 

July                         Under refit.

                                Nominated for transfer to Newfoundland Escort Force.

                7th          Passage to join new Escort Group for convoy defence in Eastern Atlantic.

                                On arrival deployed with Group based at St. Johns.

 

August

                6th          Joined HMS HARVESTER and HMS HAVELOCK in escort for HM Battleship PRINCE

                                OF WALES during Atlantic passage to Newfoundland.

                                (Note: HMS PRINCE OF WALES was taking Prime Minister to Placentia Bay for Atlantic

                                Charter conference with US President HM Destroyers RIPLEY and RESTIGOUCHE

                                (RCN) joined escort later,.)

                15th        Sustained storm damage during return passage to Iceland with HMS PRINCE CF WALES.

                16th        Under temporary repair in Iceland.

                                On completion took passage to UK.

 

September             Under permanent repair in commercial shipyard at Immingham.

                                (Note: Fit of radar fire control director for main armament s recorded.)

 

October                  Re-deployed with 9th Escort Group for convoy defence in NW Approaches.

                                Escorted military convoy TC14.

 

November              Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

December              Transferred to Gibraltar with Group for convoy defence.

                7th          Took part in sinking of U208 with HMS HARVESTER in position 35.51N 07.45 W west of

                                Gibraltar.

                                There were no survivors from the submarine. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Deployed at Gibraltar with HM Destroyers LAFOREY, CROOME and WESTCOTT as an

                                experimental Anti-submarine Striking Force.

                                Joined convoy SL97 to support escort during initial part of passage from Gibraltar.

                15th        Sank U93 in position 36.40N 15 52W off Cape St Vincent by depth charge attack and gun action

                                followed by ramming during defence of convoy.

                                (Note: 36 survivors were rescued FROM THE SUBMARINE.

                                See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp,

                                U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO).

                                Sustained major structural damage forward and also to starboard propeller.

                                Forward compartments flooded.

                10th        Under temporary repair at Gibraltar.

                24th        Escorted troopship ALMANZORA from Gibraltar to Falmouth.

 

February

                9th          Taken in hand for repair at commercial shipyard in Falmouth.

                                (Note: Surface warning Radar Type 271 and 20cm Oerlikon guns fitted.

                                For details of development and use of radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse).

 

March                    Under repair.

 

April                       Post refit trials.

                                On completion resumed duties with 2nd Escort Group

                                Deployed as escort for convoy SC81.

 

May                        Atlantic convoy defence with Group in continuation.

                                Escorted Convoys ONS97 and SC86 without loss.

 

June                        Atlantic convoy escort in continuation including Convoys ON107, ONI18, HX203, ONS128

to                            and HX208.

September

 

October

                11th        Joined Convoy ONS138 with HM Destroyers WHITEHALL, VANESSA and three

                                corvettes of Group at Liverpool for escort during Atlantic passage

                23rd        Carried out unsuccessful search for submarine after detection of radio transmissions.

                                (Note: Several other similar searches were made later. See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR.)

 

November              Convoys escorted by Group included HX213 and ONS148

 

December              Deployed with Group for escort of Convoy HX219.

                26th        Participated in depth charge attacks on U357 with HM Destroyer VANESSA in defence of

                                convoy.

                                Sank U357 in position 57.10N 15.40W by ramming.

                                Again sustained major damage to bow structure and hull.

                                Some survivors from submarine were rescued.,

                                Able to steam under reduced power.

                                For details see above references.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Under repair in Liverpool at commercial shipyard.

to                            HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine mortar ahead throwing weapon fitted.

February                For details of development of new weapons and tactics see SEEK AND STRIKE by

                                W Hackmann

 

March                    Post refit trials.

                                On completion prepared for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

April                       Rejoined Group in continuation.

                23rd        Sank U191 in position 56.45N 43.25W by Hedgehog after first detection with use of HF D/F

                                during escort of Convoy ONS4. See above references.

 

May                        Part of escort with Group for Convoy SC129 and threat of attack from ELBE 2 Group

                                of U- Boats (For details of this crucial stage of the Battle of the Atlantic.

                                See U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO), WAR BENEATH THE SEA by P Padfield

                                and THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D MacIntyre, in command of HMS HESPERUS).

                11th        Drove U223 to surface in defence of convoy but failed to sink her.

                12th        Sank U186 in position 41.54N 31.49W without survivors.

                                (Note: This submarine had been the contact keeper for the ELBE Group and first found after

                                HF D/F detection). Atlantic Convoy escort with Group in continuation.

                                See above references.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under refit.

to                            Nominated for service with 19th Escort Group.

February

 

March                    Post refit trials and joined Group for escort and support of convoys between UK,

to                            Gibraltar and West Africa.

November              Deployed in NW approaches with Group to intercept U-Boats on passage.

 

December

                6th          Rescued 97 survivors from HM Frigate BULLEN 7 miles NE of Cape Wrath.

                                (Notes: HMS BULLEN was torpedoed in position 58.42N 04.12W by U774 with a homing

                                torpedo.

                                During this period SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats were concentrating attacks on convoy

                                focal points around UK. See references.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Transferred to 14th Escort Group based at Portsmouth and deployed for defence of coastal

                                convoys.

                                (Note: Atlantic convoys were re-routed through English Channel because the threat of air attack

                                from French bases had been removed and additional escorts were available for support

                                and escort of convoys See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, SEEK AND

                                STRIKE and HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith).

 

February                Coastal convoy defence in continuation in Channel and Irish Sea.

to

March

 

April

                30th        Took part in sinking of U242 with sister destroyer HMS HAVELOCK and RAF Sunderland

                                aircraft R of 201 Squadron.

                                There were no survivors from submarine which was sunk in Irish Sea (Position 53.42N 04.53W)

                                (Note: This sinking of U242 was not confirmed by post war analysis as it was sunk earlier by

                                a mine.

                                See U-BOATS DESTROYED.)

 

May

                7th          Deployed for interception of surrendered U-Boats in NW Approaches.

                13th        Escorted surrendered U-Boats from Lochalsh to Loch Foyle for disposal.

                                (Operation DEADLIGHT).

                29th        Escorted rms ANDES carrying Norwegian Government officials back to Oslo with HMS

                                HAVELOCK.

 

June

                11th        Nominated for service as an air target vessel for aircrew training.

                                Converted for this use at Rosyth.

 

July                         Deployed in North Sea as Air Target Ship.

to

August

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS HESPERUS remained in use for aircrew training until May 1946 when she was reduced to Reserve at Rosyth. She had already been nominated for sale and after removal of equipment and stores laid up at Grangemouth awaiting demolition. She was broken up there in May 1947 by G W Brunton.

 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS HESPERUS

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

 

 

 

 

 

19/04/40

19/04/40

AP 001/3

19/04/40

22/04/40

07/07/40

09/07/40

OB 180

10/07/40

10/07/40

20/07/40

20/07/40

OA 187

25/07/40

unknown

08/07/40

25/07/40

SL 039

29/07/40

29/07/40

05/08/40

05/08/40

OA 194

unknown

unknown

28/07/40

10/08/40

SL 041F

14/08/40

14/08/40

15/08/40

15/08/40

OB 198

17/08/40

18/08/40

01/09/40

01/09/40

OB 207

unknown

06/09/40

19/10/40

19/10/40

OL 008

21/10/40

22/10/40

09/10/40

22/10/40

HG 045

27/10/40

27/10/40

14/11/40

27/11/40

HX 087

29/11/40

29/11/40

08/01/41

21/01/41

HG 050

26/01/41

26/01/41

30/01/41

31/01/41

OBA

03/02/41

03/02/41

21/01/41

05/02/41

BHX 104

08/02/41

09/02/41

14/02/41

20/02/41

SLG 001A

22/02/41

22/02/41

19/02/41

06/03/41

HX 110

10/03/41

11/03/41

16/03/41

18/03/41

OB 298

20/03/41

20/03/41

01/03/41

21/03/41

SL 067

26/03/41

26/03/41

31/03/41

31/03/41

OB 304

03/04/41

04/04/41

10/04/41

15/04/41

TC 010

19/04/41

19/04/41

06/05/41

06/05/41

TIGER

12/05/41

12/05/41

07/07/41

07/07/41

OB 344

16/07/41

16/07/41

21/07/41

21/07/41

TC 012

26/07/41

29/07/41

22/10/41

31/10/41

HG 075

03/11/41

03/11/41

15/11/41

15/11/41

CT 006

18/11/41

24/11/41

13/11/41

18/11/41

TC 015

21/11/41

21/11/41

25/11/41

09/12/41

OG 077

13/12/41

13/12/41

14/12/41

16/12/41

HG 076

16/12/41

30/12/41

04/04/42

05/04/42

ON 083

15/04/42

17/04/42

23/04/42

27/04/42

SC 081

09/05/42

09/05/42

22/05/42

23/05/42

ON 097

02/06/42

05/06/42

05/06/42

08/06/42

SC 086

18/06/42

20/06/42

26/06/42

27/06/42

ON 107

05/07/42

09/07/42

12/07/42

15/07/42

HX 198

22/07/42

23/07/42

02/08/42

03/08/42

ON 118

14/08/42

20/08/42

16/08/42

19/08/42

HX 203

27/08/42

28/08/42

05/09/42

08/09/42

ON 128

18/09/42

24/09/42

17/09/42

23/09/42

HX 208

01/10/42

02/10/42

11/10/42

13/10/42

ON 138

28/10/42

03/11/42

26/10/42

31/10/42

HX 213

08/11/42

10/11/42

23/11/42

25/11/42

ON 148

06/12/42

13/12/42

13/12/42

19/12/42

HX 219

28/12/42

29/12/42

13/04/43

14/04/43

ONS 004

29/04/43

05/05/43

02/05/43

06/05/43

SC 129

21/05/43

21/05/43

28/05/43

29/05/43

ONS 009

07/06/43

09/06/43

16/06/43

20/06/43

SC 134

30/06/43

01/07/43

14/07/43

15/07/43

ONS 013

25/07/43

29/07/43

30/07/43

03/08/43

SC 138

12/08/43

12/08/43

21/08/43

22/08/43

ON 198

29/08/43

04/09/43

03/09/43

07/09/43

SC 141

15/09/43

17/09/43

26/09/43

26/09/43

KMS 028G

07/10/43

07/10/43

14/10/43

14/10/43

MKS 027G

28/10/43

28/10/43

04/11/43

05/11/43

ONS 022

17/11/43

22/11/43

19/11/43

25/11/43

HX 267

02/12/43

03/12/43

15/12/43

17/12/43

ONS 025

30/12/43

03/01/44

29/12/43

03/01/44

HX 273

12/01/44

14/01/44

23/04/44

23/04/44

OS 075KM

04/05/44

04/05/44

05/05/44

05/05/44

KMS 049G

06/05/44

06/05/44

10/05/44

10/05/44

MKS 048G

11/05/44

11/05/44

11/05/44

11/05/44

SL 157MK

22/05/44

22/05/44

02/06/44

03/06/44

OS 079KM

11/06/44

11/06/44

12/06/44

12/06/44

KMS 053G

13/06/44

13/06/44

20/06/44

20/06/44

MKS 052G

22/06/44

22/06/44

22/06/44

22/06/44

SL 161MK

02/07/44

02/07/44

12/07/44

12/07/44

OS 083KM

23/07/44

23/07/44

24/07/44

24/07/44

KMS 057G

25/07/44

25/07/44

29/07/44

29/07/44

MKS 056G

30/07/44

30/07/44

30/07/44

30/07/44

SL 165MK

10/08/44

10/08/44

25/08/44

25/08/44

OS 087KM

02/09/44

03/09/44

03/09/44

03/09/44

KMS 061G

04/09/44

04/09/44

09/09/44

09/09/44

MKS 060G

10/09/44

10/09/44

10/09/44

10/09/44

SL 169MK

17/09/44

17/09/44

23/01/45

unknown

HX 334

unknown

06/02/45

12/04/45

15/04/45

MKF 042

17/04/45

17/04/45

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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