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LOCH
Class Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered from
Harland
and Wolff at Belfast on 2nd February 1943 and
laid down on 26th April 1944 at
Belfast as Admiralty Job Number J3917 (Yard
Number 1259)..She was to be named
LOCH FRISA, but after a policy change to meet
the need for anti-aircraft
escorts for service in the Far East the
contract was changed. The ship was
completed to a revision design and she was
renamed as WIDEMOUTH BAY on 5th
October 1944 when launched on 19th October
that year as the first Royal Navy
ship to carry this name. Completion date as a
BAY Class Anti-aircraft Frigate
was 13th April 1945. (See General Information
for details of design changes to
the basic LOCH Class hull structure).
She was the
first BAY Class frigate to complete build.
G
e o g r a p h i
c D a t a
Bay
on north coast of Cornwall
three miles
south of Bude.
Grid
Reference: SX2002
H
e r a l d i
c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field bary
wavy of six White and Blue Talbot’s
head erased
Black,
collared Blue.
M
a n n i
n g D i
v i s i
o n
Chatham
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
March
Contractors trials
Commissioned for service
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant J H Macalister
RNR
Nominated for service in British Pacific with
British Fleet Train (Task Force 112)
(For details of Fleet Train see THE FORGOTTEN
FLEET by John Winton).
30th
Commenced First of Class Trials
April
1st
Completed First of Class Trials
(Note: Speed trial data 19.27 Knots. 183 Revs.
5474 IHP.)
13th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials.
15th
Passage to Portland for ranging and weapon
trials.
On completion took passage to Tobermory to
work-up for operational service.
May
Worked-up at Tobermory.
June
On completion prepared for foreign service.
July
Took passage for Indian Ocean with
calls at Gibraltar and Malta.
Deployed in Mediterranean.
August
After VJ Day during passage allocated for
service with Pacific Escort Force.
Passage from Colombo to British Forward Base
at Manus, Admiralty Islands with call at
Darwin.
F
a r E a s t S t a t i
o n S e r v i c e 1 9
4 5 t o 1 9 4 7
September
Passage from Manus to Hong Kong.
21st
Joined Pacific Escort Force at Hong Kong.
Deployed with Task Group at Shanghai for
support of repatriation operations
.
(Note: Commanding Officer promoted to Lieut.
Cdr, RNR).
October
Carried out patrol and escort duties in
Formosa Straits.
(Note: British mercantile traffic was being
threatened by Chinese craft).
November
Support of repatriation in continuation
to
(Note: Other ships involved included HM
Cruiser Belfast and HM Sloop BLACK SWAN.)
December
1
9 4 6
January
Deployed with Escort Force at Hong Kong.
Escorted mercantile traffic in South China
Sea.
New Commanding Officer, Lieut. Cdr. E R
Barker-Smythe RNVR appointed.
February
South China Sea patrol and escort duties in
continuation.
12th
Resumed Formosa Straits patrol and escort
duty.
Called at Kure during deployment.
March
Return passage to Hong Kong.
On arrival prepared for passage to Australia
for interim refit.
18th
Passage to Darwin.
25th
At Darwin
30th
Passage to Sydney.
April
Taken in hand for refit by HM Australian
Dockyard, Sydney.
May
On completion of post refit trials took
passage to Melbourne for visit.
13th
At
Melbourne.
23rd
Passage to Sydney
24th
At Sydney and prepared for return passage to
Hong Kong
June
Passage to Darwin.
6th
At Darwin.
10th
Passage to Hong Kong with calls at Labuan,
Borneo and Subic Bay, Philippines.
July
Rejoined Escort Force at Hong Kong.
Deployed as Guardship at Satow for patrol and
escort duty in Formosa Straits.
Nominated for shore military support and
repatriation duty in Dutch East Indies.
(Note: Ships of Pacific Escort Force were
deployed as Guardship and also escorted
landing craft
taking repatriated prisoners and internees to
Singapore (RAPWI).
August
8th
Passage to Singapore for service in Dutch East
Indies
13th
Arrived at Singapore.
14th
Passage from Singapore to Batavia for
Guardship and support duties.
17th
At Batavia, Java as relief for HM Sloop
WHIMBREL.
Commenced Guardship duties.
September
Transferred to 2nd Escort Flotilla when
Pacific Escort Force renamed
Guardship and support duties in Tanjong Priok
in continuation
28th
Despatched for support duty at Palembang,
Sumatra.
29th
Deployed at Palembang, Sumatra as Guardship
October
Palembang duty in continuation.
10th
Embarked Indian troops for passage down river
to embark in mercantile ss TALMA.
13th
Whilst Guardship at Palembang, a Jetty Sentry,
Able Seaman Brown killed by a sniper.
14th
Embarked Dutch naval officers.
Carried out reconnaissance of insurgent at
OEPANG.
Returned to Palembang without having any
return fire
15th
Funeral of AB Brown.
27th
Embarked troops and nurses for transfer to
Hospital Ship KARAPARA at river mouth.
Escorted KARAPARA to Singapore.
28th
Arrived at Singapore.
(Note: Naval General Service Medal (Clasp SE
Asia) awarded for service in Dutch East
Indies.)
November
2nd
Passage from Singapore with HM Sloop BLACK
SWAN as escort to 14 BYMS to Subic Bay,
Philippines for return to US Navy.
(Note: These had been transferred to RN under
Lease Lend.)
5th
Took over tow of BYMS2007 from HMS BLACK SWAN.
(Note: This vessel had broken down and tow had
fouled screw of HMS BLACK SWAN.
10th
Arrived at Subic Bay after slow passage with
towing problems.
12th
Embarked crews of BYMS for passage to Hong
Kong.
13th
Took return passage to Hong Kong with HM
Sloops HART and BLACK SWAN.
15th
Arrived at Hong Kong.
16th
Became Senior Officer’s ship, 2nd Escort
Flotilla BPF(?)
New Commanding Officer: Captain C W Greening
Royal Navy joined.
25th
Taken in hand for routine docking and repair
at Aberdeen Dry Dock.
December
Under repair.
1 9 4 7
January
On completion resumed Flotilla duties.
Deployed for local patrol.
Nominated for detached service in Japan to
carry out patrol duty in Inland Sea
New Commanding Officer, Lieut. Cdr. J S
Kerans, RN joined.
February
1st
Took passage for Kure from Hong Kong
7th
Arrived at Kure after delay by heavy weather
during passage.
(Note: HM Indian Sloop GODAVERI and HM
Destroyer COCKADE present.)
9th
Took passage to Mitsuhama.
10th
At Mitsuhama.
11th
Took passage to Komatsushima.
12th
At Komatsushima.
15th
Took passage to Yokohama after several
snowfalls
Carried out Full Power Trial.
Secured to buoy off Yokohama.
(Note: HM Cruiser GAMBIA and HM Australian
Destroyer ARUNTA in harbour.)
18th
Deployed for patrol.
24th
Boarded US LST035 and searched.
March
Inland Sea deployment in continuation.
3rd
Took passage from Yokohama to Kure with HMS
GAMBIA.
5th
Arrived at Kure with HMS GAMBIA.
(Note: Commonwealth warships used this port
for R&R and for repair.
10th
Took passage from Kure for Sasebo.
12th
Arrived at Sasebo.
(Note Main US naval base was at Sasebo)
20th
Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean Fleet
with HM Frigates VERYAN BAY, WHITESAND
BAY and BIGBURY BAY to reinforce Palestine
Patrol..
21st
Took passage from Sasebo for Hong Kong.
25th
Arrived Hong Kong after rough passage.
26th
Prepared for passage to Mediterranean.
31st
Passage to Singapore.
April
5th
Arrived at Singapore.
6th
Took passage with HMS VERYAN BAY for
Trincomalee.
12th
At Trincomalee and refuelled
Sailed on completion for Aden with HMS VERYAN
BAY.
(Note: Ship required for escort duty of
Floating Docks under tow during passage from
Port
Tewfik, Egypt (Operation SNOW WHITE).
HM Light Fleet Carrier GLORY in harbour)
.
20th
Transferred officer to ASCANIA.
22nd
Arrived at Aden.
23rd
Took passage from Men to Suez.
M
e d i t e r r a n e a n F l e e
t S e r v i c e 1 9 4
7 to 1 9 4 8
27th
Escorted 6 tugs towing AFD 26, AFD 35 and AFD
36 from Port Tewfik.
29th
Passage with AFD to Malta with HMS ST AUSTELL
BAY.
(Note: Speed of advance 4 knots.)
May
7th
Arrived at St Paul's Bay, Malta with AFD's.
8th
Refuelled and deployed in continuation as
escort for AFD 26 and 36 to Gibraltar.
11th
Hove to in Hurricane Force winds.
Convoy scattered.
13th
Convoy re-assembled after location by ship’s
radar.
17th
At Gibraltar and AFD's left in dockyard for
future disposal
.
23rd
Took passage to Malta with HM Submarine
STATESMAN.
27th
Arrived back in Malta and joined 5th Frigate
Flotilla.
(Special Note: Painted ship at sea in
unsuitable weather conditions
.
This created serious indiscipline later.
Discontented ratings alleged petty
restrictions and insensitive
practices over several months.
Board of Inquiry to be convened to examine the
circumstances.
29th
Taken in hand in No 2 Dry Dock for refit after
fumigation.
June
Under refit at Malta.
(Note: Special crew training arranged for
boarding parties. Structural changes made for
future deployment on Palestine Patrol.
These included fitting of boarding ramps and
wire protection around bridge and
upper deck positions against missiles thrown
from immigrant ships when intercepted).
July
On completion of post refit trials resumed
Flotilla duties.
15th
Took passage for Haifa Patrol.
19th
Arrived at Haifa.
Relieved HM Fleet Minesweeper ROWENA at Jaffa.
20th
Deployed on interception patrol.
26th
Deployed with HM Destroyer CHIVALROUS and HM
Fleet Minesweeper PROVIDENCE.
Shadowed immigrant ship.
27th
Intercepted mercantile EMPIRE SHELTER.
28th
Escorted EMPIRE SHELTER which had been boarded
by party from HMS PROVIDENCE.
29th
Arrived at Famagusta, Cyprus with EMPIRE
SHELTER.
took passage to Haifa to resume patrol duty.
30th
Relieved HMS ROWENA for patrol.
August
Palestine Patrol in continuation.
6th
On relief by HMS ROWENA took passage to Beirut
for R&R.
11th
Relieved HMS ROWENA on patrol.
16th
Took passage to Haifa after relief by HMS
ROWENA.
(Note: Naval General Service Medal (Clasp:
Palestine) awarded for Haifa Patrol
service).
Board of Inquiry held relating to earlier
incidents (See above)
.
17th
Took passage to Famagusta.
18th
Arrived at Famagusta.
19th
Passage to Haifa as escort for ss EMPIRE
COMFORT and ss EMPIRE REST.
20th
On arrival deployed as relief for HMS ROWENA
and took passage to patrol area.
22nd
Ordered to return to Malta and took passage.
27th
Arrived at Malta.
September
Taken in hand for Docking and essential
defects at Malta.
Court Martial held as recommended by Board of
Inquiry.
(Note: Commanding Officer and First Lieutenant
dismissed ship.
Lieut. Commander JS Kerans later achieved fame
in the AMETHYST incident.
It could be assumed that the appointment of
this officer to command HM Frigate
AMETHYST after the death of her captain in
action with Communist forces in the
Yangtse River was due to his local
availability in Nanking, rather than his past
record).
Leading Stoker sentenced to 90 days, disrated
and lost GC Badge.
New Captain and 1st Lieut. replaced.
Commanding Officer Lieut. Cdr. DGD Hall-Wright
joined.
On completion deployed with 5th Frigate
Flotilla in Malta.
(Note: Reports from members of ship's company
establish that there was a notable
change in morale as a result of the court
martial ).
October
Deployed with Flotilla and took part in Fleet
programme of exercises and visits in eastern
to
Mediterranean and Malta exercise areas.
December
Visited Phaleron Bay and Istanbul.
Return passage to Malta.
1
9 4 8
January
Docking and maintenance in Malta.
Resumed Flotilla duties on completion.
February
Took part in Fleet Spring cruise and
exercises.
Visited Ajaccio and Aranci.
March
Deployed for Palestine Patrol based at Haifa
with R&R at Beirut.
April
Deployed in eastern
Mediterranean
for patrol.
Visited Benghazi
May
Deployed at Haifa for Palestine Patrol duties.
June
Deployed in Malta.
Routine maintenance and boiler cleaning.
July
Resumed duties in eastern Mediterranean.
New Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr A L Harper,
RN.
Visited Cyprus.
Nominated for service in Home waters.
August
Prepared for return to UK.
11th
Took passage from Malta for Chatham.
September
At Chatham and prepared for service in Fishery
Protection Squadron.
to
October
F
i s h e r y P r o t e c t i
o n S e r v i c e
November
1st
Joined Fishery Protection Squadron.
Deployed for Fishery Protection Patrol in
English Channel.
Visited Nantes.
December
Fishery Patrol in continuation in Irish Sea.
Visited Dublin Bay, North Shields and Grimsby
Returned to Hull for Leave Period.
1
9 4 9
January
Became Senior Officer's ship Fishery
Protection Squadron
3rd
New Commanding Officer:
Captain A H Thorold
OBE, DSC RN
(Later Sir Anthony, Bt.).
(Captain, Fishery Protection and Senior
Officer 4th Frigate Flotilla)
14th
Sailed from Hull for Fishery Protection
Patrol.
Visited Grimsby, North Shields, Rosyth,
Aberdeen, Invergordon and Douglas.
February
Fishery Patrol in continuation in Irish Sea.
Visited Fleetwood.
Passage to Norwegian coastal waters.
Visited Tromso.
On return passage called at Aberdeen, North
Shields and Grimsby.
March
Returned to Hull.
Deployed in North Sea and English Channel.
Visited Grimsby, Ostend and Boulogne.
April
At Portsmouth for Docking and Leave Period.
May
Resumed Fishery Protection duties in English
Channel.
to
Visited Le Havre and St Helier (CI), Plymouth
and Portland.
June
Patrol in continuation in Irish Sea.
Visited Swansea, Milford Haven, Dublin,
Fleetwood and Douglas
Nominated for reduction to Reserve status at
Sheerness.
July
Fishery Patrol in continuation.
19th
At Sheerness.
Paid Off and commenced reduction to Reserve
status
August
Accepted into Reserve and laid up in Sheerness
Division, Reserve Fleet.
to
December
1 9 5
0
Laid-up at Sheerness
1 9 5
1
January
Laid-up at Sheerness
to
March
April
Nominated for
service with Home Fleet
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Sheerness
May
Under refit for service and docked in Floating
Dock.
31st
Commissioned for trials.
June
Under refit.
18th
Undocked.
25th
New Commanding Officer Captain W J Lambe CVO,
OBE joined.
(Senior Officer 4th Training Flotilla)
29th
Accepted from Refit. Commissioned for service
in 4th Training Flotilla, Home Fleet.
July
4th
Ammunitioned.
5th
Carried out post refit trials including
completion of Full Power Trial..
6th
Took passage to Rosyth
7th
Joined Flotilla
4
t h T r a i n i n g
F l o t i l l a
S e r v i c e 1 9 5
1 t o 1 9 5 3
24th
Took passage for Invergordon.
(Note: Employed as Training Ship for Seaman
ratings including Boys).
25th
At Invergordon.
28th
Return passage to Rosyth.
August
Deployed for visits programme and training
exercises in North Sea
4th
Visited Bergen.
13th
Embarked Mr Clement Atlee and Mrs Atlee at
Oslo for return passage after they had
visited HM
King Haakon of Norway.
took passage to Rosyth.
14th
Arrived at Rosyth.
September
1st
Visited Leith with HM Frigate ENARD BAY of
Flotilla.
Open to Visitors during stay.
Children's Tea Party for orphans.
5th
Returned to Rosyth.
27th
Took passage from Rosyth to Loch Ewe with HMS
ENARD BAY.
29th
Deployed at Loch Ewe for exercises with HM
Frigates ENARD BAY and LARGO BAY.
October
4th
Return passage to Rosyth.
6th
Arrived at Rosyth.
9th
Took part in exercises with HM Cruiser
SWIFTSURE off west coast Scotland.
(Note: Convoy Defence Exercises ASSESS and
GIBBON with Home Fleet ships).
Boy Seamen (Ex HMS ST VINCENT embarked).
13th
Returned to Rosyth.
20th
Passage to Aberdeen for visit.
21st
Open to Visitors.
24th
Return passage to Rosyth.
Board of Inquiry held on board
November
Deployed at Rosyth.
7th
Took passage for training cruise in North Sea
and Channel.
9th
At Portsmouth.
12th
At Portland for Weapon Calibration, DG Ranging
and A/S Exercises.
16th
Passage to Harwich from Portland.
17th
At Harwich.
21st
Return passage to Rosyth.
22nd
Arrived at Rosyth.
27th
Took passage from Rosyth to Scapa Flow.
28th
At Scapa Flow.
December
Return passage to Rosyth
Deployed at Rosyth.
1
9 5 2
January
Deployed at Rosyth.
February
8th
Deployed at Rosyth.
9th
Provided Guard for Proclamation Ceremony in
Edinburgh
13th
Took part in Flotilla exercises in Forth area.
On completion returned to Rosyth.
19th
Escorted ss BRETAGNE to Tyne with HM King
Haakon of Norway embarked for visit.
Carried out training exercises.
21st
Returned to Rosyth.
28th
Annual inspection by Flag Officer, Scotland.
March
1st
Took passage to Devonport to join Fleet
exercises.
2nd
Arrived at Devonport.
4th
Sailed for Gibraltar as escort for Motor
Minesweepers.
7th
Took shelter at Rio Del Barque from heavy
weather conditions
8th
Resumed passage.
9th
Towed MMS1579 after machinery failure.
11th
Arrived at Gibraltar.
14th
Took passage from Gibraltar to return to
Rosyth.
25th
Arrived at Rosyth.
(Note: Training exercises were carried out
carried out on passage)
28th
Embarked Flag Officer Scotland for visit to
Aberdeen.
April
Return passage to Rosyth and taken in hand for
refit.
May
Under refit.
June
6th
Undocked.
9th
Carried out Basin Trial.
11th
Carried out post refit sea trials
12th
Carried out Full Power Trial
Result:18knots with 180 Revs.
18th
Took passage from Rosyth to Harwich.
19th
Arrived at Harwich.
22nd
Joined Home Fleet ships at Sheerness for
Exercise CASTANETS.
(Notes: Serials included Convoy Defence,
Weapon Firings and Minesweeping).
24th
Returned to Rosyth.
25th
Carried out Flotilla Anti-Submarine exercises
with HM Frigate BIGBURY BAY and
HM
Submarine
ALLIANCE.
26th
Deployed for Air-Sea Rescue duty during Royal
Flight.
29th
Took passage from Rosyth to Lerwick.
July
1st
Arrived at Lerwick.
Open to Visitors.
Fire in No 1 Boiler Room.
2nd
Took passage from Lerwick to Sanderf jord,
Norway.
(Note: Located on west bank of entrance to
Oslo Fjord)
4th
Heavy weather experienced before arrival at
Sanderf jord.
At Sanderfjord.
Open to Visitors.
8th
Took passage to Rosyth.
Exercised with SHACKLETON aircraft and HMS
LARGO BAY during passage.
11th
Arrived at Rosyth.
14th
New Commanding Officer: Captain G D Pound DSC
RN joined.
24th
Took passage from Rosyth to Thurso.
25th
At Thurso
Open to Visitors.
27th
Took passage to Tobermory with call at Lyness.
28th
Anchored off Tobermory.
31st
Took return passage to Rosyth.
August
At Rosyth.
Nominated for Air Sea Rescue Station duties
during Royal Flight.
September
1st
Took up ASR duty in North Sea east of Forth
Estuary.
2nd
Deployed at Rosyth.
11th
Provided Guard for visit by US Admiral to HM
Dockyard, Rosyth.
14th
Took part in NATO Convoy Defence Exercise in
North Sea.
18th
Returned to Rosyth on completion. Passage to
Invergordon. Returned to Rosyth.
19th
Took passage from Rosyth to join Fleet
exercises.
25th
Returned to Rosyth.
October
3rd
Took passage from Rosyth to join Home Fleet
exercises.
4th
Returned to Rosyth
5th
Deployed for training exercises in Forth area.
12th
Took passage to Lyness
13th
Diverted to assist trawler ST ROWAN on rocks
at St Johns Point.
Arrived at Lyness.
14th
At Lerwick with Flag Officer Scotland, Rear
Admiral J H F Crombie CB, DSO RN
15th
Passage to Aberdeen with Flag Officer Scotland
embarked.
16th
Arrived at Aberdeen. Rear Admiral Crombie
disembarked.
Official visit to Aberdeen.
Open to visitors (1,328 recorded in Deck Log).
20th
Took passage from Aberdeen to Invergordon.
21st
Joined in Home Fleet North Sea exercises at
Invergordon.
23rd
Returned to Rosyth.
November
At Rosyth.
School children visited ship.
5th
Passage to Hartlepool.
6th
Official visit to Hartlepool
Open to visitors on three days.
Church Parade during visit.
10th
Return passage to Rosyth.
(Note: Court Martial at Rosyth).
20th
Took passage from Rosyth with HMS LARGO BAY
for training exercises.
21st
At Invergordon.
22nd At
Scapa Flow.
25th
Carried out Flotilla exercises.
Returned to Rosyth on completion.
December
Deployed at Rosyth
1
9 5 3
January
Deployed at Rosyth for sea training in Forth
area.
31st
Passage to Hartlepool with HMS LARGO BAY.
February
1st
At Hartlepool with HMS LARGO BAY.
3rd
Return passage to Rosyth. Exercised with HMS
LARGO BAY.
5th
Deployed at Rosyth for local training
exercises.
27th
Took passage to Invergordon.
March
Deployed for training.
1st
At Invergordon.
3rd
At Lyness.
4th
At Invergordon.
took part in Flotilla exercises including Tow.
6th
Return passage to Rosyth
7th
Carried out sea training in Forth area.
10th
School children embarked for day excursion.
17th
Passage to Invergordon with HMS LARGO BAY for
training
Director Naval Training Rear Admiral Richmond
embarked.
Admiral transferred at sea to HMS LARGO BAY.
18th
At Invergordon for training.
23rd
Return passage to Rosyth with HMS LARGO BAY.
24th
Deployed at Rosyth.
April
Rosyth deployment in continuation.
May
3rd
Took passage with HMS LARGO BAY for training
exercises. At Loch Ewe.
5th
At Loch Ewe
9th
At Lerwick.
Open to visitors.
13th
Sailed from Lerwick for Norwegian coast.
14th
Visited Odda.
Open to visitors.
19th
Return passage to Rosyth.
21st
Deployed at Rosyth.
Annual Inspection.
29th
Took passage to Dundee for official visit.
30th
Open to visitors (Over 2,000 recorded in Deck
Log).
June
At Dundee.
2nd
Floodlit after nightfall for Coronation Day
celebrations.
4th
Took passage for official visit to Newcastle.
5th
At Newcastle.
Formal calls exchanged with Lord Mayor.
Open to visitors (5,543 recorded in Deck Log).
9th
Took passage to Spithead for Coronation Review
by HM Queen Elizabeth II.
11th
Arrived at Spithead.
15th
Present at Review and took part in Firework
Display after nightfall.
Ship Floodlit.
16th
Passage to Rosyth.
18th
Arrived at Rosyth.
Provided Street Lining Party for Royal Visit
to Edinburgh.
26th
Took passage to Blyth arriving same day.
2?th
At Blyth.
Open to Visitors 2,013 recorded in Deck Log).
30th
Took passage for training exercises.
July
Deployed for training exercises.
2nd
At Tobermory.
5th
At Loch Ewe.
7th
Passage to Lyness with Flag Officer Scotland
embarked.
took passage to Wick after Flag Officer
disembarked.
18th
At Wick for official visit
Open to Visitors (1,600 recorded in Deck Log).
11th
Passage to Aberdeen for official visit
arriving same day.
Calls exchanged with civic authorities.
Open to visitors (1624 recorded in Deck Log)
14th
Return passage to Rosyth.
15th
At Rosyth for Navy Days and open to visitors.
20th
Deployed for training exercises.
22nd At
Thurso.
26th
At Lerwick.
29th
Return passage to Rosyth.
30th
At Rosyth and prepared for final visit prior
to paying off into Reserve.
31st
Took passage to Kiel. August
August
2nd
At Kiel after transit of Kiel Canal
Open to visitors.
Calls exchanged with shore authorities.
Return passage to Rosyth.
September
Passage to Chatham to Pay-off and reduce to
Reserve status.
Paid off into Reserve Fleet, Chatham.
F i n
a l P h a s e
HMS
WIDEMOUTH BAY remained at Chatham in Reserve
and was placed on
the Disposal List in 1957 as a part of
the Defence Review. She was sold to BISCO for
breaking up by Bolcow
and arrived in tow at
the breaker’s yard
in Blyth on 23 Nov 1957.
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