Type C NEWPORT-Class destroyer Ex USS
HOPEWELL built by Newport News shipbuilders and launched
on 8 June 1918
She was placed in Reserve and transferred to the Royal Navy under the
UK/USA Lease Lend
Agreement signed in 1940. As
with other ships of the Class she was named after a town in the USA and one in UK. In this case a town in New York State and a city in Somerset.
B a t t
l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1941
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 4 0
September
23rd - Commissioned at Halifax.
29th - Took passage to Devonport with calls at St Johns, Newfoundland
and Belfast.
October
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport prior to service with 1st
Minelaying Squadron at Kyle of Lochalsh (Port ZA). To be deployed as escort during minelaying
operations in Home Waters and to be detached for convoy escort in Western Approaches Command when
available.
November
Joined escort for military convoy WS4B during passage in NW Approaches.
8th to
14th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ST ALBANS and ST MARY'S as escort for
HM Minelaying Cruiser to ADVENTURE in NW approaches to Irish Sea and subsequently with same
ships for escort of all
ships of Squadron during Operations SN43. SN44 and
SN45.
18th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN3 in
Northern Barrage. Joined Local
Escort for military convoy WS4B with HM Destroyers ST ALBAN'S and ST MARY'S.
19th - Detached from WS4B in NW Approaches and
returned to Port ZA.
26th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN11 in
Northern Barrage
December
8th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN10A in
Northern Barrage.
18th - Joined Local Escort for military convoys WS5A
in Clyde with HMS ST ALBAN'S.
20th - Detached from WS5A with HMS ST ALBANS during
passage in NW Approaches and returned to Clyde.
1 9 4 1
January
Deployed as part of escort for Troop Convoy TC8 in NW Approaches.
Passage to
Chatham for refit.
February to March
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham.
Transfer to Royal Norwegian Navy
under discussion.
W a r S e r v i c e
a s H N o r M S B A T H
April
8th - Transferred to Royal Norwegian Navy. RN Name
retained. Commissioned
as HM Nor Ship BATH.
Nominated for deployment in Western Approaches Command for Atlantic
convoy defence.
16th - Damaged in collision during post refit trials.
Passage to
Tyne for refit in commercial shipyard.
May
Under repair in commercial shipyard.
19th - Passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion
of repairs.
June
5th - Joined 5th Escort Group at Liverpool on completion of work-up. Deployed for escort of convoys
to and from Gibraltar.
July
Escort of OG and HG Series Convoys in continuation.
August
Joined escort of Convoy OG71 with ships of Group.
18th - Convoy under attacks by U204, U559 and U201. (See HITLER'S
U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)
19th - Hit by torpedo from U204 and sank quickly in position 48.30N
17.45W with heavy loss of life. (See above reference.)