Type II HUNT Class Escort
Destroyer ordered from J S White, Cowes IoW under 1939 War Emergency Programme
on 4th September 1939. She was laid down on 5th December 1939 as Job No J6583
and was launched on 4th December 1940 as HMS SILVERTON and was the first RN
warship to carry the name, that of a fox-hunt in Devonshire. The ship was
transferred to Poland with sister ship
HMS OAKLEY (i) renamed ORP KUJAWIAK This ship
commissioned for Polish naval service as ORP KRAKOWIAK on 3rd April 1941 in
place of the Free French destroyer OURAGAN manned by Poles. Build was completed
on 28th May 1941.
H e r a l d i
c D a t a
(As HMS SILVERTON)
Badge: On a Field White, on a pomme a hunting horn erect gold
thereon
two spurs linked rowels uppermost White.
D e t a i l s o f
W a r S e r v i c e a s O
R P
K R A K O W I A K
(for more ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and type name in Site Search)
1 9 4 1
April
Transferred to
Poland and renamed. Allocated for service with 15th Destroyer Flotilla.
May
Contractor's
trials.
28th - Build
completion and commenced Acceptance Trial
June
Passage
to Scapa Flow on completion of trials and storing. Worked-up
for operational service with ships of Home Fleet at Scapa Flow
July
Joined 15th
Destroyer Flotilla at Plymouth and deployed for convoy defence and patrol
duties in SW Approaches and Irish Sea.
August to September
Flotilla
duties in continuation.
October
26th - Escorted
HM Cruiser TRINIDAD for passage to Clyde for acceptance trials after completion
of build in HM Dockyard Devonport.
November
Convoy defence
based at Plymouth in continuation.
December
Transferred to
Home Fleet for temporary duty.
22nd - Deployed
as part of escort for Landing Ships taking Commando troops for raids on Lofoten Islands (Operation
ANKLET and ARCHERY- See THE WATERY MAZE by B Fergusson).
1 9 4 2
January to May
Resumed convoy
defence and patrol duties based at Devonport. Reinforced
escorts in Western Approaches Command for UK - Gibraltar convoys. (For
details of Atlantic convoy defence see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and THE
BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre).
June
17th - Deployed
with HM Destroyers WILD SWAN, BEAGLE and HM Frigate SPEY to support Convoy
HG 84 in SW Approaches. Came under heavy air attacks during
which HMS WILD SWAN was sunk. (See HMS WILD SWAN by P Smith).
July to September
Deployed on
convoy defence and offensive patrols in SW Approaches and in French coastal waters
against shipping (Operation TUNNEL Series - See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by
P Smith and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli
Barnett.)
October
13th - Joined
HM Destroyers BROCKLESBY, FERNIE and TYNEDALE and formed Force B for interception
of German supply ship and commerce raider KOMET known to be making an attempt to
pass into the Atlantic from Germany. Following the
interception of KOMET by other destroyers of Force A, engaged E-Boats which had been used as her escort (For details
see BATTLE OF THE NARROW SEAS by Peter Scott).
November to December
Convoy defence
and interception duties in English Channel in continuation. Included
engagement with Light Coastal Forces MTB's against coastal convoy near Douvres.
1 9 4 3
January to February
Channel convoy
defence and patrol duties in continuation.
March
5th - In action
against E-Boats in defence of convoy off Start Point and drove them off.
April to May
Flotilla duties
in continuation. Nominated for service in Mediterranean with 60th
Destroyer Division based at Gibraltar.
June
Passage to join
Gibraltar Escort Force for defence of convoys in the Atlantic and western Mediterranean. On
arrival at Gibraltar joined 60th Division of Allied Naval Command for local
escort of convoys in Atlantic and western Mediterranean.
July
Nominated for
service Support Force East during planned allied landings in Sicily of
British 1st Airborne Division SW as part of Escort Group S. (Operation
HUSKY – For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY, Naval. Staff History
and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser for information about all ships taking
part.)
Passage to Algiers.
5th
- Sailed from Algiers as part of escort for military convoy KMS18.
8th
- Detached from KMS18 to refuel and rejoined escort on completion.
10th
- Detached from KMS18 on arrival at BARK WEST Beach Head and provided naval
gunfire support during initial landing in Sicily. Carried
out patrols to intercept enemy craft attempting to interfere with landings and
for Follow-up convoy escort.
August
HUSKY
support in continuation.
September
Joined 48th
Escort Group based in Malta for support of planned allied landings in Bay of Salerno (Operation
AVALANCHE - See above references).
9th to 16th - Deployed
as part of screen for Support Carrier Task Force (TF88) during provision of
cover to by air operations by carrier aircraft. (Note:
TG88 consisting of HM Escort Carriers BATTLER, ATTACKER, HUNTER and STALKER
screened by destroyers from HUNT Flotilla in Malta.)
October
Transferred to
Alexandria for support of military operations in defence of the Aegean Islands. Deployed
on offensive patrols to intercept German craft carrying troops to replace
Italian garrisons. Under heavy air
attacks and without consistent air cover. For details see
WAR IN THE AEGEAN by P Smith and E Walker).
27th
- Escorted HM Cruiser AURORA for passage to Aegean.
November
Support
of military operations in Aegean islands in continuation.
10th
- Carried out search and inspection of west coast of Kalymnos with HM
Destroyers PETARD and ROCKWOOD. On completion
bombarded the harbour at Kalymnos.
During
return passage under air attack by glider bombs.
11th - After
HMS ROCKWOOD was hit by weapon which failed to explode
provided cover for tow to Turkish waters by HMS PETARD.
15th - Embarked
ammunition and stores at Famagusta, Cyprus for transit to Leros but recalled on passage
when island surrendered.
29th
- Escorted HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM during passage to Alexandria after being hit
by torpedo off Cyrenaica.
December
Deployed for
convoy escort and patrol based in Malta.
1 9 4 4
January to March
Central
Mediterranean convoy defence and patrol in continuation based in Malta. Nominated
for return to UK for support of planned allied landings in Normandy. (Operation
NEPTUNE)
April
Passage
to UK.
May
Nominated for
duty in Force G of Eastern Task Force. Took part in preparatory exercises for
NEPTUNE. (For details see LANDINGS IN NORMANDY June 1944 (HMSO), OPERATION NEPTUNE by K
Edwards and D DAY SHIPS by J de Winser for information about all ships taking
part.)
June
Deployed with
HM Destroyer CATTISTOCK in Solent for escort of Convoy G1 to the assault
area.
4th - Departure
delayed 24 hours.
5th - Escorted
G1 convoy with HMS CATTISTOCK, four Motor Launches and MTB's of the 55th Flotilla. (Note:
Convoy G1 comprised 6th Minesweeping Flotilla, four Danlayers and other minesweepers.)
6th
- After arrival in Assault area deployed for gunfire support for landings on
GOLD Beach.
7th - Deployed
for patrol off beaches to prevent submarines or surface craft attack.
10th - During
patrol with HM Destroyers URSA and GLAISDALE off Le Havre intercepted and drove off
attacks by German torpedo boats T28, JAGUAR and MOWE.
11th - Continued
patrol and convoy defence role in support of invasion operations,
to 26th
27th
- Retained in Channel area for convoy defence. patrol and support of
military operations.
July
Channel
deployment in continuation.
August to December
Transferred to
16th Destroyer Flotilla based in Harwich for North Sea convoy defence and interception
patrol (Note: Extensive minelaying by surface craft,
submersibles and U-Boats were in progress. Schnorkel-fitted
submarines and E-Boats were also active to attack mercantile traffic and
escorts. See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith.)
1 9 4 5
January to February
Convoy defence
and patrol. (Note: Enemy mining and increased threat of German
torpedo craft especially in Thames area were continuing. Atlantic
convoys to East Coast ports had been diverted through Channel since
air attacks were no longer possible from French bases. (See HOLD THE
NARROW SEA).)
March
22nd
- Drove off German minelaying E-Boats during lay of mines on convoy route
between Thames and Dutch coast.
April
Deployed
defence role in North Sea and Channel.
May to June
Remained with
Home Fleet after VE Day and Polish manning continued. (Note: Ship was
not intended for deployment in Far East.)
Deployed in
support of military re-occupation of German territory.
July
23rd
- Loan to Poland terminated and ship Paid-off at Harwich. Reduced
to Reserve status
August
Laid-up in Reserve at Harwich.
25th - Reverted
to Royal Navy as HMS SILVERTON.
P o s t W a r
N o t e s
HMS SILVERTON remained in
Reserve, initially at Harwich and was later transferred to Sheerness. During
1953 she was prepared for
attendance at the Coronation Review after which she was kept in the Chatham
Division, Reserve Fleet until 1958.,
Placed on the Disposal List the ship was sold to BISCO for demolition by T W
Ward at Grays, Essex on 3rd March that year, She arrived at the breaker's yard a year later and her scrap value realised
£17,400.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of ORP KRAKOWIAK
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been cross-checked
with the text above
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|
|
Date convoy sailed
|
Joined convoy as escort
|
Convoy No.
|
Left convoy
|
Date convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/10/41
|
23/10/41
|
SL 089
|
24/10/41
|
26/10/41
|
02/04/42
|
02/04/42
|
PW 135
|
04/04/42
|
04/04/42
|
12/04/42
|
12/04/42
|
WP 140
|
14/04/42
|
14/04/42
|
13/04/42
|
14/04/42
|
PW 140
|
15/04/42
|
15/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
WP 142
|
18/04/42
|
18/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
PW 143
|
21/04/42
|
21/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
PW 147
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
PW 148
|
01/05/42
|
01/05/42
|
03/05/42
|
03/05/42
|
PW 150
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
PW 151
|
07/05/42
|
07/05/42
|
06/05/42
|
06/05/42
|
WP 152
|
08/05/42
|
08/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
PW 153
|
11/05/42
|
11/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
PW 155
|
15/05/42
|
15/05/42
|
03/06/42
|
03/06/42
|
WP 166
|
05/06/42
|
05/06/42
|
10/06/42
|
10/06/42
|
PW 169
|
12/06/42
|
12/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
WP 171
|
15/06/42
|
15/06/42
|
09/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
HG 084
|
19/06/42
|
20/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
PW 172
|
18/06/42
|
18/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
WP 176
|
25/06/42
|
25/06/42
|
30/06/42
|
01/07/42
|
PW 179
|
02/07/42
|
02/07/42
|
03/07/42
|
03/07/42
|
WP 181
|
05/07/42
|
05/07/42
|
06/07/42
|
06/07/42
|
PW 182
|
08/07/42
|
08/07/42
|
20/07/42
|
20/07/42
|
PW 189
|
22/07/42
|
22/07/42
|
23/07/42
|
23/07/42
|
WP 191
|
24/07/42
|
25/07/42
|
28/07/42
|
29/07/42
|
PW 193
|
30/07/42
|
30/07/42
|
03/10/42
|
05/10/42
|
PW 227
|
07/10/42
|
07/10/42
|
08/10/42
|
08/10/42
|
WP 230
|
11/10/42
|
11/10/42
|
09/10/42
|
10/10/42
|
PW 230
|
12/10/42
|
12/10/42
|
18/10/42
|
18/10/42
|
WP 235
|
21/10/42
|
21/10/42
|
19/10/42
|
19/10/42
|
PW 235
|
22/10/42
|
22/10/42
|
04/11/42
|
04/11/42
|
PW 243
|
07/11/42
|
07/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
PW 247
|
14/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
WP 249
|
17/11/42
|
17/11/42
|
21/11/42
|
22/11/42
|
WP 252
|
23/11/42
|
23/11/42
|
24/11/42
|
24/11/42
|
PW 253
|
26/11/42
|
26/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
KX 007
|
08/12/42
|
08/12/4
|
06/12/42
|
13/12/42
|
MKS 003Y
|
23/12/42
|
23/12/42
|
24/12/42
|
25/12/42
|
PW 268
|
26/12/42
|
26/12/42
|
27/12/42
|
27/12/42
|
WP 270
|
29/12/42
|
29/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
PW 270
|
30/12/42
|
30/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
WP 272
|
01/01/43
|
02/01/43
|
04/02/43
|
04/02/43
|
PW 289
|
05/02/43
|
06/02/43
|
08/02/43
|
12/02/43
|
KMF 009
|
16/02/43
|
16/02/43
|
17/02/43
|
17/02/43
|
MKF 009
|
19/02/43
|
24/02/43
|
03/03/43
|
04/03/43
|
WP 303
|
05/03/43
|
05/03/43
|
05/03/43
|
06/03/43
|
WP 304
|
07/03/43
|
07/03/43
|
15/03/43
|
15/03/43
|
KMF 011
|
23/03/43
|
23/03/43
|
25/03/43
|
26/03/43
|
MKF 011
|
01/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
MKF 011A
|
12/04/43
|
12/04/43
|
06/05/43
|
06/05/43
|
WP 335
|
08/05/43
|
08/05/43
|
15/05/43
|
15/05/43
|
PW 339
|
16/05/43
|
16/05/43
|
26/05/43
|
26/05/43
|
WP 345
|
28/05/43
|
28/05/43
|
31/05/43
|
31/05/43
|
PW 347
|
02/06/43
|
02/06/43
|
03/06/43
|
03/06/43
|
WP 349
|
05/06/43
|
05/06/43
|
06/06/43
|
06/06/43
|
PW 350
|
07/06/43
|
08/06/43
|
12/06/43
|
12/06/43
|
PW 353
|
14/06/43
|
14/06/43
|
24/06/43
|
05/07/43
|
KMS 018B
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
MKF 018
|
17/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
KMF 019Y
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
20/07/43
|
20/07/43
|
MKF 019Y
|
23/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
21/07/43
|
MKF 019
|
23/07/43
|
30/07/43
|
12/07/43
|
07/08/43
|
UGS 012
|
09/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
29/07/43
|
07/08/43
|
KMS 021
|
09/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
15/08/43
|
16/08/43
|
MKS 022
|
25/08/43
|
25/08/43
|
16/12/43
|
18/12/43
|
MKF 027
|
20/12/43
|
04/01/44
|
12/01/44
|
12/01/44
|
SNF 012
|
16/01/44
|
16/01/44
|
15/01/44
|
26/01/44
|
KMF 028
|
29/01/44
|
29/01/44
|
03/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
XIF 009
|
08/02/44
|
08/02/44
|
09/02/44
|
09/02/44
|
IXF 009
|
13/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
02/03/44
|
MKF 029
|
09/03/44
|
16/03/44
|
11/03/44
|
13/03/44
|
NSF 017
|
14/03/44
|
14/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
SNF 017
|
18/03/44
|
18/03/44
|
08/04/44
|
08/04/44
|
MKF 029B
|
10/04/44
|
17/04/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note on Convoys)
|