LOCH-Class Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered on 19th
January 1943 from W Pickersgill of Sunderland and to
be named LOCH.HEILEN. Orders were placed
with several other shipyards for LOCH Class ships at the same time.
However in late 1943 this order was changed for construction of a new design of
Anti-Aircraft Frigate (BAY Class - See General Information). The
ship was laid down on 30th April 1944 as Admiralty Job No J4802 (Yard No 266) and
was launched as HMS MORECAMBE BAY on 1st Nov. 1944.Tne ceremony was carried out
by Miss Mary Berry, whose father was the managing director of a Teeside engineering firm and a former Royal Navy Officer.
No previous RN ship had borne this name. Work was suspended after the end of
hostilities in the Far East and a new contract to complete her build was placed
with J S White at Cowes. She was commissioned on 22nd February 1949.
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 White, White
4 pallets wavy blue.
a red rose barbed and seeded proper.
Explanation: Morecambe Bay is at junction of four rivers represented by the
'pallets wavy blue' and the red rose is the County emblem of Lancashire).
M a n n i n g D i v i s i on
Portsmouth
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 4
November
1st
Launched and fitting out commenced
1 9 4 5
January Fitting
out in continuation
to
August
September Work
suspended and ship Laid up in builder’s yard.
to
December
1 9 4 6 t o 1 9 4 7
Laid-up until contract placed for completion with JS White at Cowes
Ship taken under tow to Cowes.
1 9 4 8
Fitting out continued
1 9 4 9
January
Contractor's trials.
February Contractors sea trials
22nd Commissioned for trials
with reduced complement.
(Note: Due to demobilisation of wartime conscripts and reservists there was a
significant
shortfall in personnel.)
Commanding Officer: Lieut Commander K R S Leadley RN.
Acceptance trials
March On
completion of trials remained at Portsmouth.
April
1st
Carried out exercises with HM Minesweeper WELFARE.
4th
Embarked ammunition
7th DG
Ranging at Portland.
16th Open
to visitors.
May Giving
leave at Portsmouth.
to
Waiting to complete to allowed complement for foreign service
July Open
to visitors including employees from local firms, Sea Cadets and schoolchildren.
August
15th
Commissioned for Far East service
Commanding Officer, Commander CCB Mackenzie, Royal Navy.
23rd
Prepared for foreign service at Portland.
September
1st
Passage to Heysham for official visit.
3rd At
Heysham.
to Open
to visitors.
8th (Note: Outstanding hospitality accorded including presentation of silverware
and a civic
reception.
9th
Passage to Malta for work-up.
26th
Commenced work-up and carried out routine docking.
October
6th Work-up with
Mediterranean Fleet ships
to (Note: This included bombardments and Night
Encounter exercises
20th
Inspection by Flag Officer (Destroyers), Mediterranean Fleet.
21st Took
passage to Singapore
28th Called
at Port Sudan.
November
1st At
Aden.
15th
Passage from Colombo to Singapore.
21st
Joined 4th Frigate Flotilla.
24th
Deployed for patrol and anti-terrorist operations on West coast of Malaya.
28th
Assisted with fire-fighting in mv REBEVERETT at Port Swettenham.
December Deployed for
Patrol duties with Motor Launches.
7th Live
bombardment exercise with AUSTER aircraft for spotting fall of shot
12th
Deployed for patrol off Singapore.
13th
Transferred to East coast of Malaya for patrol
Interrogation party embarked.
R&R period at Pulau Tioman.
21st
Resumed patrol off West Coast of Malaya.
23rd At
Penang for Xmas.
1 9 5 0
January Deployed
in Port Dickson area in continuation.
(Note: Patrols were carried out patrol with Motor Launches and Police Launch.)
7th Rest
period and training in Singapore.
21st
Passage to Hong Kong for Fleet exercises.
30th Took
part in Fleet exercise.
February Local
Exercises at Hong Kong.
14th
Diverted from local bombardment exercise at Hong Kong to carry out search with
HM
Frigate
WHITESAND BAY for crashed
aircraft.
(Note: This was abandoned after 4 hours.)
25th
Deployed for patrol off Yangtse estuary and for Guardship.
(Note: Maintained for protection of British flagged mercantiles.)
March
1st
Yangtse Guardship duty in continuation.
to
Assisted ss EMPIRE MOUNTAIN detained by 2 Chinese Nationalist gunboats TAI CHOU
18th and
YANG SHOU.
19th On
relief by HM Destroyer CHARITY took passage to Hong Kong.
April
1st
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Hong Kong.
May Under
refit.
12th On
completion of post refit trials carried out local exercises with HM Cruiser
BELFAST
and HM Destroyer CONSORT.
15th Took
part in Flotilla exercises at Hong Kong.
31st
Passage to Singapore with HM Frigates MOUNTS BAY and CARDIGAN BAY
June
6th
Arrived at Singapore and nominated for anti-terrorist patrol duties.
8th
Deployed of east coast of Malaya with Aircraft and MFV.
to
Interrogation party embarked.
16th Regent
of Pahang visited.
19th
Deployed in continuation for duty on west coast of Malaya,
to
Royal Marines embarked
30th
Provided support for military operations near Port Swettenham
(Note: Royal Marines and naval search party landed.
Bombarded terrorist positions.
July
Johore Strait Patrol with HM Motor Launch 3507
to
Visited Pungga.
August Aircraft
attacks made on shore positions at Babi Kerchk.
Deployed at Penang in continuation with R&R at Lankawi
(Note: After outbreak of war in Korea nominated for deployment with UN naval
Task Force based
at
Sasebo, Japan.)
September
Passage to
Sasebo for duty with UN in
Korea.
October Deployed
for bombardment and patrol duties off W coast of Korea with RN snips.
(Note: These included HM Frigates MOUNTS BAY, PUKAKI (RNZN) and TUTIRA (RNZN).
Took part in bombardment at Inchon.
November Deployed
with Task Group 95.13-and
in charge of Minesweeping operations off west coast.
December Deployed in
support of evacuation of Inchon with CTG 95-12
New Commanding Office: Commander J J E Famol DSC Royal Navy appointed.
1 9 5 1
January On relief
by HM Frigate ST BRIDES BAY took passage to Hong Kong.
February Resumed
duties with Flotilla.
March Yangtse
Patrol and Flotilla exercises in continuation.
to
(Note: At time of research Ship's Deck Log not available at PRO.
May This
restriction may have been due to deployment in war operations.)
June
Detached for 2nd Operational Tour with UN off Korea.
Took passage to Sasebo to join UN naval forces.
Supported Korean Commando raids in Haeju and Chojin area with CTG 95.12
July Attached to US Navy Task Group 95.12 to assist in
bombardment off east coast of
Korea in support of military
operations.
(Note: Congratulatory signal from Commander US 7th Fleet (Vice Admiral HW
Martin, USN)
for train-wrecking successes).
On
completion transferred to RN Task Group on west coast.
Deployed in Han River operations with HM Frigates CARDIGAN BAY and MOUNTS BAY
in
support of military operations to ensure access to Seoul.)
August Carried
out shore bombardment in Han River
September On relief
from UN duties took passage to rejoin Flotilla
October Deployed
at Singapore for anti-terrorist patrol duties
to
Under refit at Singapore..
December
1 9 5 2
January
Re-commissioned for further service with Flotilla in Far East.
On
completion of post refit trials deployed for
shakedown prior to further detached service with
UN
off Korea.
Carried out Malacca Strait patrol and support of anti-terrorist military
operations.
February Passage to
Sasebo for 3rd Operational UN Tour.
Deployed in with CTG 95.22 in Sonjin and Chojin area off east coast.
March Sustained
slight damage by shore battery fire.
Transferred to RN Task Group for service on west coast of Korea.
April
Deployed with RN Task Group for patrol duties and gunfire support.
(Note: 11 volunteers served ashore with British army unit).
On
relief took passage to Hong Kong to resume Flotilla duties.
May
Deployed at Hong Kong
Visited Macao and took part in local area exercises and patrols.
June
Flotilla deployment in continuation.
to
Commander JAH Hamer OBE RN appointed.
July
Nominated for 4th Operational Tour with UN off Korea.
August Passage to
Sasebo to rejoin UN Command.
September Deployed off
west coast of Korea for island patrols and support. Han River area bombardment.
October East
coast deployment in continuation.
First Sea Lord (Admiral R. McGrigor) visited at Yong Pyong Do.
November On relief
took passage to Hong Kong.
December Deployed at
Hong Kong with Flotilla and carried out patrol duties.
1 9 5 3
January Hong Kong
deployment in continuation.
Patrols in Tolo Harbour and Junk Bay.
Carried out search for missing aircraft in Swatow Bay.
February Hong Kong
local patrol duties in continuation.
to
Passage from Hong Kong to Singapore for military support patrols duties.
March Deployed
off west coast of Malaya.
April
Nominated for further detached duties with UN off Korea
Passage to rejoin UN naval forces off Korea.
May
Commenced 5th UN Operational Tour.
Under fire in Chodo area with US Navy Landing Ship.
Counter-fire provided by US Battleship USS
NEW JERSEY.
June UN
support duties off west coast of Korean continuation.
Provided Guard for rededication of War Grave cemetery at Kobe.
West coast patrol and bombardment.
July
Bombarded enemy positions on Chodo Island.
August On relief
took passage to Hong Kong for refit.
(Statistical Data: 185
days under UN Command,
84,300 miles steamed,
15,200 tons fuel used.)
September Under refit
at Hong Kong.
26th On
completion commenced post refit trials.
October
13th Joined in
Flotilla exercises at Hang Kong
17th Funnel
deck found to be corroded and split.
Taken
in hand for repair
19th Resumed
Flotilla exercises.
23rd Took
passage to Sasebo to resume UN duties.
31st Deployed
as west coast Guardship as Pangyong Do.
November
1st Carried
out patrol and gunfire support duties.
to
15th
16th Passage
to Kure for R&R.
25th Passage
to Area NAN on west coast to relieve HM Australian Destroyer TOBRUK.
27th Commenced
Patrol and Guardship duties at Pangyoung Do.
December UN duties in
continuation.
9th Relieved
by HM Destroyer COMUS and took passage to
Kure.
(Note: During this period Signalman G. C. Gates died ashore at Kure on 4th December.)
14th Passage
from Kure to Hong Kong.
(Note: Carried out surveillance of Chinese Nationalist warships in Formosa Strait).
22nd Arrived at
Hong Kong for Fleet exercises.
29th Deployed
for Flotilla exercises with HM Frigates CARDIGAN BAY,
MOUNTS BAY and
ST
BRIDES BAY.
1 9 5 4
January
4th
Carried out anti-submarine exercise with HM Submarine THOROUGH during passage
to
Singapore
13th
Deployed for patrol on west coast of Malay with Interpreter
to
Liaison officer embarked. In conjunction with Police launch.
23rd
Bombarded shore positions on 16th January.
(Note: Malayan RNVR personnel also on board for sea experience.
Part of counter insurgency operation and prevention
of activities by terrorists from
Indonesia).
24th
Deployed at Singapore for patrol in Malacca Straits.
February
1st
Passage to Penang for visit by Flag Officer, Malayan Area.
9th
Passage to Singapore on completion of visit and towed Motor Launch.
15th Took
part in Fleet Exercise SONATA in Gulf of Thailand.
to
(Note: Serials included convoy Screening, Anti-submarine operations,, Tow,
Night Encounter,
25th and
Replenishment with provision of RAF reconnaissance).
26th
Detached with HMS MOUNTS BAY and took passage to Hong Kong.
March At Hong
Kong for maintenance.
6th New
Commanding Officer: Commander A C Tupper DSC RN joined.
18th
Deployed for Formosa Strait patrol.
to
Escorted ss INCHISLAY on passage from Shanghai to Hong Kong.
26th
April Self
refit period in Hong Kong.
20th
Re-commissioned for service in Far East.
29th On
completion carried out Pearl River patrol.
May
Deployed at Hong Kong.
8th
Carried out Formosa Strait patrol.
18th
Exercised with ships of Squadron off Hong Kong.
31st Took
passage to Sasebo for UN duties.
June
13th Deployed off
west coast of Korea for patrol and Guardship
28th Took passage to Kure on relief.
July
4th
Carried cut surveillance of Chinese Nationalist warships in Formosa Strait
during passage
from
Kure to Hong Kong.
11th
Passage from Hong Kong to Singapore for refit.
28th Taken
in hand for refit. Crew transferred to HMS TERROR.
August
Under refit.
Nominated for transfer to America and West Indies Station after refit in UK.
To
visit ports in USA and central America during return passage.
(Note: This was part of a policy change to reduce length of foreign commissions.
September
9th Post
refit trials.
11th
Carried out Shakedown cruise off Singapore.
22nd Took
passage to Hong Kong.
27th At
Hong Kong for 1st Sea Lord's visit.
October
1st Took
passage to join USA via Yokosuka, Japan and Panama.
7th At
Yokosuka.
9th
Passage to Pearl Harbour.
23rd At
Pearl Harbour.
29th Took
passage to San Francisco after call at Hilo, Hawaii.
November Pacific
Passage.
8th At
San Francisco
12th Two
ratings injured in road traffic accident on Oakland Bridge.
One later died in hospital EM 1st Class R VENN, P/MX924369).
16th Took
passage to Los Angeles.
17th At
Long Beach US Navy Base, Los Angeles.
22nd Took
passage to San Diego
At
San Diego
29th Took
passage to Acapulco
(Note: The remaining visits were the first to be paid by a British warship for
many years
giving a unique opportunity for shore excursions.)
The Ship was opened to visitors and much generous hospitality was offered to
all of the ship's company.
December
4th At
Acapulco.
7th Took
passage to San Jose, Guatemala.
9th At
San Jose.
13th Took
passage to La Libertad, El Salvador.
17th Passage
from La Libertad to Balboa, Panama.
20th Took
passage to Kingston, Jamaica after transit of Panama Canal.
23rd Arrived
at Kingston.
1 9 5 5
January Joined HM
Cruisers SUPERB and QUEBEC (RCN), HM Frigates BIGBURY BAY,
BURGHEAD BAY with other NATO warships for exercises.
At
short notice for steam due to hurricane warnings.
21st Took
passage to Portsmouth with four Army personnel embarked for return to UK.
27th
Experienced heavy weather during passage.
Sailing dinghy lost overboard.
February
2nd
Arrived at Portsmouth
17th Taken
in hand for refit.
March Under
refit including period in dry dock
to
April
May
11th New
ship's company joined and accommodated in RN Barracks.
June Under
refit
July
29th Ship's
company moved on board.
31st
Commissioned for service on America and West Indies Station.
Commanding Officer: Commander T C Meyrick RN.
August
5th
Carried out post refit trials Post refit trials
to
18th
20th
Commenced work-up at Portland and weapon calibrations
31st
Passage to Portsmouth.
September Prepared for
foreign service
19th Took
passage to Bermuda.
30th At
Bermuda.
October
22nd Passage to Grenada.
28th
Embarked Governor for passage to Carricoa, St Georges.
31st
Passage to Trinidad.
November
1st At
Port of Spain.
3rd
Sailed to carry out Visits Programme with calls at Bridgetown, Barbados, St
Lucia, Barbuda and
Tortola.
18th Took
passage from Tortola for Kingston, Jamaica.
27th
Passage to Guantanamo for exercises with HM Cruiser KENYA and US Navy ships.
December
1st Took
part in joint exercises.
9th
Returned to Kingston with HMS KENYA.
12th
Resumed joint RN/USN exercises.
18th Took
passage to Bermuda.
21st At
Bermuda.
1 9 5 6
January
9th Took
passage to Kingston, Jamaica with HM Frigate ST AUSTELL BAY.
13th HMS ST
AUSTELL BAY detached.
14th
Embarked Governor Designate, British Honduras at Kingston for passage to Belize.
17th
Governor disembarked.
20th
Commenced Visits Programme to Bluefields, Nicaragua, Colon and Bocas del Tore,
Panama
February
4th
Passage to Kingston from Bocas del Toro.
10th Took
passage from Kingston to Georgetown, Grand Cayman,
18th Sailed
from Georgetown for programmed visit to USA ports in Gulf of Mexico.
22nd At
Brownsville, Texas. 5,000 visitors recorded in Deck Log.
March
1st At
Corpus Christi, Texas. 1,630 visitors recorded in Deck Log
8th At
Mobile, Alabama.
16th At
Tampa, Florida.
Unarmed party marched in local procession.
Variety Show by USO was broadcast from ship.
22nd Return
passage from Tampa to Bermuda.
28th
Arrived at Bermuda.
April Took
part in Military Tattoo at Hamilton during stay in Bermuda.
Carried out local exercise with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.
May
2nd Took
passage to Norfolk, Virginia with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.
5th At
Norfolk, Va.
10th
Visited Baltimore after passage up Chesapeake River with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.
15th Took
passage to Savannah, Georgia.
18th At
Savannah, Ga.
22nd Took
passage to Bermuda.
23rd Met
HMS ST AUSTELL BAY and carried out joint exercises
25th
Arrived at Bermuda
June At
Bermuda for Annual Inspection.
(Note: Sea Serials with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.)
11th Took
part in Exercise HOURGLASS with HM Frigates ST AUSTELL BAY, WAKEFUL,
ROEBUCK and
WHIRLWIND.
(Note: This was a major international assembly including ships of Home Fleet,
Canadian and
Dutch warships.)
Exercise included anti-submarine serials with RN and US
Navy submarines.
27th On
completion returned to Bermuda.
(Note: Provided first aid party after fire in Canteen ashore)
July
Prepared for patrol and visits programme to Caribbean ports.
9th
Sailed for Antigua from Bermuda.
14th At
Antigua.
Provided English Harbour working party.
19th At
Barbados, Windward Islands
25th At
Trinidad with HMS BIGBURY BAY.
30th
Passage to Paramaribo, capital of Dutch Guiana
August
1st At
Paramaribo.
6th
Passage to Demerara via Mackenzie River (Essequibo).
10th At
Demerara
13th
Passage to Puerto Rico with call at Pointe a Pitre, Guadaloupe for fuel.
18th At San
Juan, Puerto Rico.
Exchanged calls with US naval authorities.
23rd Took
passage to Bermuda.
26th
Arrived at Bermuda.
Prepared for return passage to Pay-off in UK.
September
1st Took
passage to Portsmouth with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.
8th
Detached. Arrived at Portsmouth.
12th
Arrived at Portsmouth
F i n
a l P h a s e
HMS MORECAMBE BAY Paid off on 19th November 1956 and was laid up
in Reserve at Portsmouth. Later she was transferred to Barrow and placed on the
Disposal List. On 9th May 1961 this frigate was sold to Portugal and renamed
DOM FRANCESCO DE ALMEIDA. Following a refit by John I Thornycroft
at Woolston, Southampton she was handed over to the
Portuguese Navy on 3rd August 1961 and served in until September 1970 when she
was demolished. Her RN service was especially notable as she spent most of it
on foreign service which included periods with the United Nations naval Task
Groups during the Korean War and visits to west coast of North America.
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