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LOCH
Class Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered from
Harland and Wolff at Belfast on
11th May 1943 and laid down on 8th August 1944
as Admiralty Job Number J3932 (
Yard Number 621)and w as to be named LOCH LUBNAIG.
Owing to a policy change to meet the need for
anti-aircraft escorts for service
in the Far East a revision was design change
was made on 5th October 1944. The
ship was launched on 16th December that year
as HMS WHITESAND
BAY and was the first Royal Navy ship to carry
this name. Build completion date
as an Anti-aircraft Frigate was 30th July
1945. See General Information for
details of changes made to the basic LOCH
Class hull structure.
G
e o g r a p h i
c D a t a
Bay
to NW of Rame
Head,
Cornwall
Grid
Reference:SX3751
B
a t t l
e H o n o u r
KOREA
1950-53
H
e r a l d i
c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Blue, a boar's head erased
White, tongued Red
(Explanation:
From
the Arms of the Lords Mount Edgecumbe
who have owned
land
near the Bay)
M
a n n i
n g D i
v i s i
o n
Devonport
S
u m m a r
y o
f 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 5
July
Contractors trials and commissioned for
service with Pacific Escort Force
30th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. B C Longbottom
RN.
August
Passage to Tobermory to work-up for
operational service
September
On completion of work-up took passage to
Portland for weapon calibration and firing
trials.
(Note: Requirement for service with Pacific
Escort Force confirmed after VJ Day.
Deployed at Portsmouth and prepared for
foreign Service
October
5th
Took passage to Malta with sister ship HMS
BIGBURY BAY.
15th
Carried out exercises with ships of
Mediterranean Fleet before leaving for Hong
Kong
to join Flotilla.
November
7th
Sailed from Malta with HMS BIGBURY BAY.
23rd
On arrival at Colombo detached from HMS
BIGBURY BAY.
December
Joined Flotilla at Hong Kong.
Deployed in South China Sea.
24th
Visited Labuan.
Extensive hospitality from Australian Army
unit.
(Note: These troops were guarding Japanese POW
waiting passage to Japan.
During this period one source records loss of
an anchor but no details
of date
or exact place were traced)
1
9 4 6
January
Passage to Hong Kong from Borneo.
(Note: The assistance given to HM Minesweeper
JEWEL for repair may have been in this
period, but no details are known. The ship
also acquired a motor boat from the Australian
Army which was taken to Hong Kong).
Deployed for patrol and trade defence
including escort of colliers from French Indo
China
to Hong Kong.
Visited Labuan, Borneo.
February
Passage from Labuan to Hong Kong.
4th
Arrived at Hong Kong.
10th
Deployed in South China Sea for trade
protection.
11th
At Port Campha, French Indo China.
Visit arranged to coal mine.
March
Escort duties in continuation.
Visited Haiphong.
(Note: French-Indo China was being infiltrated
by Chinese communist forces and leave was
restricted due to the unstable political
conditions).
April
Passage to Auckland, New Zealand for refit
May
Called at Townsville, Australia on passage.
27th
Taken in hand for refit at Auckland.
June
Under refit.
July
Carried out post refit trials on completion of
dockyard work.
Passage to Hong Kong.
August
1st
At Vila, New Hebrides.
19th
Arrived at Hong Kong after call at Port
Moresby to refuel.
Resumed patrol and escort duties with
Flotilla.
September
Deployed for escort and patrol duties in
Formosa Straits.
30th
At Amoy.
October
Formosa Strait Guardship and trade protection
duties in continuation.
14th
At Hong Kong.
November
Deployed in South China Sea.
Passage to Singapore.
December
At Singapore.
Under repair at Singapore.
1
9 4 7
January
Passage to Hong Kong to rejoin Flotilla.
February
Deployed at Hong Kong for trade defence and
patrol duties.
6th
Took part in Fleet exercises with HM Frigates
BLACK SWAN, AMETHYST, VERYAN
BAY and BIGBURY BAY.
March
Joined 1st Escort Flotilla, British Pacific
Fleet.
Nominated for transfer to 5th Frigate
Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.
(Note: HMS VERYAN BAY, HMS BIGBURY BAY and HMS
WIDEMOUTH BAY from
the Pacific were also transferred for
Palestine patrol duties)
22nd Took
passage to Singapore with the other ships
being transferred
28th
At Singapore.
April
Passage to Malta.
3rd
At Trincomalee.
12th
At Aden.
18th
Suez Canal transit.
22nd
Joined 5th Frigate Flotilla.
New Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr R F C
O'Sullivan joined.
May
At Malta and prepared for new duties.
(Note: Special modifications made for
protection of personnel, Boarding Ramps and
protective nettings fitted.
Shore training for Boarding Parties.
Boiler cleaning was also carried out.
31st
Took passage for first Palestine Patrol.
June
Palestine Patrol in continuation.
16th
Returned to Malta.
(Note: During this period intercepted ships
suspected of running blockade with
illegal
immigrants on passage between
Sicily and Palestine
coast.
Amongst ships intercepted was PRESIDENT
COOLIDGE.
Intercepted ships were
taken to
Famagusta).
July
Flotilla duties for Palestine Patrol in
continuation.
August
Boiler clean at Malta.
20th
Deployed for interception patrol based at
Haifa.
September
On relief returned to Malta and taken in hand
for repair.
October
Under repair.
to
Post repair trials and prepared for return to
Flotilla duties.
November
December
Deployed at
Malta with
Flotilla.
1
9 4 8
January
Carried out Flotilla duties and exercises in
Malta.
February
Deployed for Haifa patrol.
R&R in Beirut.
(Note: Because of the volatile political
situation in Palestine leave had to be
restricted and
libertymen asked to remain in groups of 3 or
over).
March
Returned to
Malta on relief
and rejoined Flotilla.
April
Deployed at Trieste for Guardship duties.
May
Rejoined Flotilla in Malta.
to
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Malta.
June
New Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr. J V
Brothers appointed.
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes
changed to F633.
July
Carried out post refit trials.
7th
Rejoined Flotilla.
Took part in Mediterranean Fleet 2nd Summer
Cruise Programme.
Visited Corfu and Bari.
(Note: Ship carried Olympic Torch from
Corfu to Bari as part of its journey from
Greece
to London for the Olympic Games).
August
At Argstoli for Regatta and visited Bone and
Tunis.
12th
Returned to Malta.
September
Deployed with Flotilla and visited Sfax and
Sorrento.
Nominated for transfer to America
and West Indies Station.
20th
Took passage from Malta.
24th
At Gibraltar.
27th
Took passage to Madeira.
30th
At Madeira
October
2nd
Took passage to Horta, Azores.
5th
At Horta and sailed same day.
9th
Hurricane warning and high wind speeds.
14th
Arrived at Bermuda.
Leak in A/S Compartment.
November
At Bermuda.
19th
Took part in Squadron exercises.
27th
On completion took passage for Antigua.
December
1st
Arrived at Antigua.
10th
Embarked Governor for visit to Basseterre.
11th
Returned to Antigua with Governor.
20th
Took passage to St. Kitts.
21st
Passage to Basseterre and later St John.
Returned to Antigua.
1
9 4 9
January
At Antigua.
to
Visited Basseterre, St Kitts and Guadaloupe.
February
Governor was embarked on some occasions.
(Note: During this period it is possible that
the ship was deployed as Guardship for
Bacteriological Defence Trials being carried
out by HM Landing Ships
NARVIK and BEN LOMOND.
These trials were Classified and no public
announcement or record is available
at the Public Record Office, Kew).
March
1st
Visited Monserrat with Governor.
3rd
Returned to Antigua.
11th
Passage to Barbados for exercises.
Leading Seaman fell overboard and was
recovered.
(Note: During passage took part in exercises
with H M Canadian Aircraft Carrier
MAGNIFICENT, HM Cruiser Jamaica, HM
Canadian Cruiser ONTARIO and
HM Canadian Destroyer ATHABASKAN..
Deployed as Planeguard
HM Cruiser GLASGOW of A&WI Squadron also
involved)
18th
Return Passage to Antigua.
20th
At Antigua.
22nd Took
passage to Guantanamo for joint RN/RCN/USN
exercises.
25th
Joined HMS GLASGOW, HMS BIGBURY BAY and other
ships for exercise programme.
(Note: Daily serials included defence of
convoys against aircraft and submarine
attack,
Gunnery firings and Night Encounter).
April
On completion of exercises took passage to
Bermuda.
2nd
At Bermuda.
Deployed for Flotilla exercises off
Bermuda with HM Frigates BIGBURY BAY, HM Sloops
SNIPE, SPARROW
and HM Submarine TUDOR.
14th
Station Leave granted.
May
4th
Taken in hand for
routine docking at
Bermuda.
20th
Undocked and prepared to resume Flotilla
duties.
June
Deployed with Flotilla at Bermuda.
29th
Took part in Sea Inspection of HMS BIGBURY
BAY.
July
4th
Took part in local exercises.
Annual Inspection.
Transferred to 4th Frigate Flotilla,
Far East.
19th
Passage to Colon, Panama.
24th
Transit of Panama Canal ands visited Balboa. ,
26th
Took passage to Pearl Harbour.
August
9th
At Pearl Harbour.
Shore visits arranged.
12th
Sailed from Pearl Harbour for Hong Kong.
19th
Encountered heavy weather conditions.
28th
Joined Flotilla on arrival at Hong Kong.
September
7th
Rating fell overboard and recovered.
8th
Present when HM Frigate AMETHYST returned from
Yangtse incident.
12th
Deployed for Y Patrol trade protection duties.
14th
Escorted Greek mercantile ss HELLAS off
Yangtse estuuary.
19th
At Shaweishan with HM Destroyer CONSTANCE.
Deployed as Guardship off Shaweishan.
Carried out patrol duties.
October
Guardship duty in continuation.
1st
Patrol off Sadelle Is.
3rd
Took passage to Hong Kong.
8th
Arrived at Hong Kong.
12th
Took part in local defence exercise (ALADDIN).
18th
Sailed for Yangtse Guardship duties.
23rd
Relieved HM Frigate MOUNTS BAY after delayed
by heavy weather on passage.
28th
Return passage to Hong Kong with call at
Foochow.
31st
Arrived at Hong Kong.
November
3rd
Took part in Flotilla Exercises with HM
Frigates MOUNTS BAY, CARDIGAN BAY and
ST BRIDES BAY.
(Note: Serials included Bombardment in Mirs
Bay, Convoy Defence and Replenishment
from RFA BROWN RANGER).
9th
Carried out local patrol off Hong Kong.
22nd Drafts
joined from UK and some left ship for return
to UK.
30th
Took part in Fleet exercises with HM Light
Fleet Aircraft Carrier TRIUMPH, HMS ALERT
(CinC's Despatch Vessel) and
HMS ST BRIDES BAY.
Deployed for aircraft warning picket duty in
Night Encounter.
December
Fleet Exercise in continuation.
1st
Rescued pilot from HMS TRIUMPH
Returned to harbour on completion of
exercises.
5th
Took
part in local exercises till 7th.
8th
Prepared for refit. Slips company to be moved
ashore to HMS TAMAR.
9th
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Hong
Kong.
24th
Entered drydock.
1
9 5 0
January
Under refit.
10th
Undocked.
17th
Ammunitioned ship
18th
Resumed Flotilla duties.
20th
Carried out Flotilla exercises off Hong Kong.
21st
Recovered body of Signal rating from HMS
JAMAICA in harbour.
30th
Carried out Flotilla exercise in Junk Bay.
February
1st
Exercised locally.
7th
Carried out exercises with HM Frigates
MORECAMBE BAY and CARDIGAN BAY.
14th
Carried cut local exercises.
20th
Deployed in Long Bay for exercise.
21st
Took part in RN/USN Anti-submarine Exercise
RICKSHAW with US Navy Submarine
USS SEADOG and
Fleet
units.
28th
Passage to Subic Bay with HMS CARDIGAN BAY.
March
Carried out exercises on passage with US Navy
warship.
3rd
At Subic Bay.
6th
Took part in joint RN/USN exercises locally.
8th
At Subic Bay.
10th
Carried out further joint exercises.
Detached on completion for passage to
Sarawak with HMS CARDIGAN BAY.
14th
At Sibu.
17th
Took part in shore parade.
Sailed for Singapore.
20th
Arrived at Singapore.
22nd
Passage to Port Swettenham.
23rd
At Port Swettenham.
24th
Return passage to Singapore.
25th
At Singapore.
27th
Deployed for patrol off east coast of Malaya
in support of shore military operations
against
terrorists with
HM Motor Launch 3506.
31st
At Trengganu.
April
Patrol duties in continuation.
2nd
Investigated Junk movements to prevent supply
of arms to terrorists
3rd
Passage from Puala Tioman to Singapore.
4th
At Singapore.
5th
Deployed for west coast patrol in support of
shore operations.
7th
At Penang.
11th
Passage to Malacca.
12th
At Malacca.
13th
Passage to Tioman for duty on east coast
patrol.
16th
Returned to Singapore from Kuantan.
17th
At Singapore.
27th
Took passage from Singapore to Hong Kong.
May
3rd
Arrived at Hong Kong
12th
Deployed for local patrol off Hong Kong.
15th
Took part in Fleet exercises with HM Frigates
MOUNTS BAY, MORECAMBE BAY
and ST BRIDES BAY.
27th
(Note: Serials included Tow, Bombardment,
Convoy Defence, Manoeuvring ,gunnery
night and day firings against surface
targets).
Annual Inspection.
28th
Took passage from Hong Kong for trade
protection in Formosa Straits.
31st
Deployed off Yangtse estuary near Amoy.
June
2nd
Return passage to Hong Kong to collect draft.
3rd
At Hong Kong.
4th
Resumed patrol off Amoy.
10th
Return passage to Hong Kong.
11th
Prepared for refit
Two 0.38 pistols missing.
26th
Docked.
July
Under refit.
Undocked.
31st
Refit completed and swung for compass
variation.
August
Nominated for detached service with UN off
Korea.
1st
Resumed Flotilla duties.
2nd
Deployed for local exercises with HMS ST
BRIDES BAY and HMS MOUNTS BAY.
4th
Anti-aircraft firings.
8th
Anti-submarine and bombardment exercises.
15th
Night firings and Night Encounter exercises.
20th
Took passage to Sasebo, Japan to join British
UN Task Group.
24th
Joined UN command at Sasebo.
28th
Escorted convoy to Pusan, South Korea
29th
Returned to Sasebo.
30th
Escorted convoy to Pusan.
September
Took part in Inchon Assault landings
(Operation CHROMITE).
Landed and re-embarked combined USMC and RM
Commando landings at Kusan.
(Note: This was a diversionary operation).
Deployed with Task Group 90.7 for blockade
duty.
24th
New Commanding Officer Commander AN Rowell
appointed
October
UN duty in continuation.
Escorted 4 Japanese minesweepers in approaches
to Haeju.
November
UN duties in continuation for blockade and
escort.
December
Returned to Hong Kong.
1
9 5 1
January
Deployed with Flotilla at Hong Kong.
February
Passage to
Singapore for
support duties off Malayan coasts.
March
Deployed at
Singapore for
support of anti-terrorist operations.
Motor Launches manned by Malayan RNVR were
controlled during searches inshore.
towed Motor Launch to Singapore after she had
stranded on uncharted reef.
Carried out bombardment near Port Dickson.
April
Malayan coast patrol in continuation.
Bombarded terrorist positions near Port
Swettenham.
May
Deployed off Borneo for anti-piracy patrols.
Visited Jesselton and Sandakan.
June
Passage to Sasebo for 2nd UN operational tour.
Relieved HM Canadian Destroyer SIOUX in Task
Group 95.22 off Wonsan.
Deployed off east coast for patrol and
bombardment duties.
July
Deployed with British Task Group off west
coast of Korea.
Carried out survey work with other British and
Commonwealth ships in Han River.
August
Passage to Hong Kong.
to
Resumed Flotilla duties.
September
October
Passage to Sasebo for 3rd operational UN Tour.
Deployed for patrol off west coast of Korea.
Carried out bombardments in Han River.
November
UN patrol and bombardment duties in
continuation,
December
.During west coast patrol duty supported
military operations in Haeju estuary.
Carried out bombardment in Han River.
1
9 5 2
January
UN duties off west coast of Korea in
continuation.
Flag Officer 2nd in Command, Far East Station
visited ship during patrol.
February
Resumed Flotilla deployment.
25th
New Commanding Officer: Commander M W B
Craig-Waller, DSC* appointed.
March
Flotilla duties in continuation.
April
Passage to Sasebo for 4th UN operational tour.
to
Deployed with allied Task Group off west coast
of Korea.
June
Carried blockade, patrol and support
bombardment duties.
July
Passage to Hong Kong to resume Flotilla
duties.
August
Prepared for refit and took passage to
Singapore.
September
Under refit.
to
October
November
Carried out post refit trials and deployed at
Singapore.
December
Deployed with Flotilla for exercises and local
patrol duties.
1
9 5 3
January
Flotilla deployment in continuation.
February
Passage to Sasebo to resume UN duties for 5th
operational tour.
Deployed off west coast of
Korea
for patrol and support bombardments.
March
West coast duties in continuation.
Under fire from mainland in Sokto area.
April
UN duties off west coast in continuation.
May
Passage to Hong Kong for maintenance and to
attend Coronation Day ceremonials.
June
2nd
At Hong Kong for Coronation Day
July
Resumed Flotilla duties at Hong Kong.
6th
Annual Sea Inspection by SO 4th Frigate
Flotilla.
8th
Annual Harbour Inspection.
13th
Passage to Sasebo to resume UN duties.
14th
Officer of the Watch Logged for altering
course without Captain's approval.
Carried cut Full Power Trial.
17th
At Sasebo.
18th
Passage to Haeju estuary to assist in planned
withdrawal of
ROK Guerillas.
19th
Deployed with Task Unit 95.1.6.
23rd
Deployed on patrol in POLKA Extension.
25th
Korean Armistice declared.
Supervision of withdrawals in continuation in
Haeju area.
Deployed with US Navy Patrol craft for
evacuation.
(Korean War Statistics:
Mileage steamed - 67,000. Fuel used - 13,500
tons)
August
UN duties off west coast with TU95.1.6 in
Passage to Sasebo to resume UN duties in
continuation.
Passage to Kure for R&R.
September
1st
At Kure
New Commanding Officer: Commander M E
Lashmore, DSO, OBE, DSC.
3rd
Passage to Sasebo
6th
Relieved HMNZ Frigate KANIERE as Guardship off
Yong Pyong Do and as SO
Task Unit
96.16.
(Note: During period as Guardship replenished
from RFA WAVE CHIEF and
exercised with USS PTARMIGAN).
18th
Relieved by HM Destroyer CONSTANCE and took
passage to
Sasebo.
20th
At Sasebo.
September
25th
Sailed from Sasebo for Hong Kong and carried
out surveillance patrol in Formosa
Straits for observation of Chinese naval
activities.
October
1st
Arrived at Hong Kong for maintenance period.
7th
Deployed for Formosa Straits Patrol
to
Escorted Merchant ships during threat from
Chinese Gunboat PC41.
14th
15th
At Hong Kong
28th
Took part in local exercises (Exercise
FOLIAGE).
31st
Deployed for Formosa Straits Patrol. Army
passengers on board.
November
Patrol off Foochow in continuation.
7th
Returned to Hong Kong
11th
Deployed for Formosa Straits patrol.
18th
Returned to Hong Kong on completion.
29th
Taken in hand for refit at Hong Kong.
Ships company accommodated ashore.
December
Under refit
1
9 5 4
January
Under refit
to
February
March
Post Refit Trials
3rd
Weapon sea trials.
5th
Carried out Full Power Trial.
8th
Resumed Flotilla duties.
9th
Took part in local exercises.
15th
Deployed for Formosa Straits patrol during
passage to
Kure.
21st
At Kure
26th
Passage to Sasebo.
2?th
Passage to Pang Yong Do from Sasebo.
29th
Relieved HM Canadian Destroyer HAIDA as
Guardship in Task Unit 95.1 (?)
Deployed off west coast of
Korea
for patrol and Guardship duty.
April
Guardship duty in continuation.
9th
Relieved by HM Destroyer COCKADE and took
passage to Fukka for R&R visit.
11th
At Fukka.
15th
Took passage for Formosa Strait patrol with
call at Sasebo.
20th
Arrived at Hang Kong.
26th
Took part in local exercises.
30th
Passage to Singapore in company with HM
Frigate CARDIGAN BAY and HM
Despatch Vessel ALERT.
May
Carried out exercises on passage.
5th
Arrived at Singapore.
11th
Deployed as escort for RFA FORT ROSALIE for
passage to Penang.
(Note: Depth Charges were being dumped for
Armament Depot at Singapore).
16th
At Penang with HMS CARDIGAN BAY.
19th
Passage to Singapore.
21st
At Singapore.
23rd
Embarked Malayan RNVR personnel for sea
training.
24th
Deployed for exercises based at Puala Tioman.
28th
Returned to Singapore.
June
At Singapore.
Nominated for return to UK to
recommission.
(Note: This was part of changes made as a
result of reduction in length foreign
service Commissions
to 18 months instead of 30 months).
3rd
Annual Inspection.
5th
Took passage to Jesselton, Borneo.
8th
At Jesselton for Queen's Birthday ceremonial.
12th
Took passage to Hong Kong.
Exercised on passage with HMS CARDIGAN BAY.
16th
At Hong Kong.
July
At Hong Kong.
Prepared for return to UK.
8th
Sailed for Singapore with HM Frigate MOUNTS
BAY.
13th
Arrived at Singapore and prepared for passage
to UK to recommission.
14th
Flag Officer Malaya addressed ship's company.
15th
Took passage to Colombo with HMS MOUNTS BAY.
(Note: Diverted on passage to assist after a
mercantile had been collided with an
Indonesian Landing Craft.
Indonesian Patrol Boat taken to scene.
21st
At Colombo.
22nd Took
passage to Aden with HMS MOUNTS BAY.
31st
At Aden.
August
1st
Passage through Red Sea.
5th
Transit of Suez Canal.
10th
At Malta.
13th
Passage to Gibraltar with MS MOUNTS BAY.
17th
At Gibraltar.
19th
Sailed from Gibraltar for Portsmouth.
24th
Arrived at Portsmouth.
September
Leave Period.
7th
New Commanding Officer: Cdr. D N Forbes
joined.
15th
Re-commissioned for General Service Home/West
Indies.
22nd Took
passage for Portland and carried out trials.
24th
At Portland..
October
Worked-up for operational service at Portland.
November
Prepared for Home Fleet service.
Future deployment under review.
December
Paid off and Reduced to Reserve at Devonport.
F
i n a
l P h a s e
HMS WHITESAND
BAY was placed in Category III Reserve and
laid-up at Rosyth
without preservation or maintenance. The
ship's company was transferred to HM
Frigate LOCH KILLISPORT
then refitting at Chatham.
Late in 1955 she was placed on the Disposal
List and sold to BISCO
for breaking-up at Charlestown. near Rosyth
by Metal
Industries. The ship arrived in tow at the
Forth on 13th February 1956.
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