Twin Screw Fast Frigate
ordered on 19th January 1943 from Charles Hill of Bristol and laid down on 29th
September 1943 as Yard No 453 (Admiralty Job No 453). The ship was launched on
25th March 1944 by Mrs G Luckwell, wife of the Yard
Manager, and was the first RN ship to carry this name. She -was completed on
25th June 1944 in 274 days which was faster than the time taken for the
prototype LOCH FADA built by John Brown at Clydebank. This new type of frigate
had been adopted by the civil community of Edmonton then in the County of
Middlesex and now part of the Greater London Borough of Enfield after a WARSHIP
WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942. Although this shipyard had
previously built FLOWER Class Corvettes and RIVER Class Frigates this ship was
the first of this Class builtt in Bristol and using
more extensive prefabrication. See General Information.
G e o g r a p h i c D a t a
Grid Reference: NG2153
Sea Loch on NW coast of the Island of Skye
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ARCTIC 1944 - NORTH SEA 1945
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field Blue,
two
springs of juniper in saltire, leaved and fructed proper.
(Explanation The Loch is in the country of the McLeods of Harris.
The Badge is based on that of the Harris McLeods.)
M a n n i
n g D i v i s i o n
Devonport
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 4
June
Contractors trials and commissioned for service
Commanding Officer: Commander E Wheeler
RNR.
Nominated for service in 10th Escort Group.
25th Build
completion and commenced Acceptance Trials
30th On
completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory
July Carried
out work-up for operational service.
August Passage to
Clyde to prepare for convoy defence duty.
Allocated for detached service with 20th Escort Group
12th Sustained
structural damage after collision with HM Destroyer
BULLDOG in Gourock Bay
(Note: HMS BULLDOG was badly damaged and under repair at Ardrossan for some
time.)
15th Joined
20th Escort Group at Loch Ewe for-Russian convoy defence.
Deployed with HM Destroyers KEPPEL, WHITEHALL, HM Sloops CYGNET, KITE.
MERMAID, PEACOCK and five FLOWER Glass Corvettes for escort of Russian Convoy
JW59 during
passage to Kola Inlet.
(Notes: For details of all Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA
Ruegg ARCTIC CONVOYS by J Woodman, THE RUSSIAN
CONVOYS by B Schoefield
CONVOY ! by P Kemp and HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR BY c Blair.
The Russian battleship ARCHANGELSK (Ex HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN was also part
of
this convoy together with 12 Russian Torpedo Boats
being transferred to the Soviet
Navy
and manned by Russian crews.)
24th Took part
in sinking of U354 in position 72.49N 30.41E with HM Sloops MERMAID and
PEACOCK, HM Destroyer KEPPEL AND AIRCRAFT from HM
Escort Carrier VINDEX which
made
the initial sighting of the submarine. There were no survivors.
See
above references).
(Note: HM Cruiser JAMAICA, HM
Escort Aircraft Carriers STRIKER and VINDEX were also
part of the escort for JW59.).
25th Detached
from Convoy JW59 after arrival in Kola Inlet.
28th Joined
escort for returning Convoy RA59A with same ships
September
4th Detached
from return Convoy RA59A after arrival at Loch Ewe
(Note: This convoy
arrived without loss mainly due to the extensive anti-submarine
operations by aircraft from HMS STRIKER, HMS VINDEX and the vigilance
of
the escorts, which were responsible for sinking U394 on 1st September
See
above references.)
5th Joined
allocated Escort Group at Londonderry.
Deployed with HM Frigates HELMSDALE. BRAITHWAITE, BAYTUN and FOLEY
for
defence of North
Atlantic convoys and
anti-submarine search operations.
October Atlantic and
coastal convoy defence in continuation
to (For
details of weapons and tactics used see SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann.
November During this
period German SCHNORKEL fitted U-Boats were being progressively
used).
Nominated for refit
December
11th Taken in hand for refit
and repair of machinery defects in
Tyne commercial shipyard.
1 9 4 5
January On
completion of post refit trials rejoined Group and continued convoy defence.
Deployed with Flotilla based at
Scapa Flow for anti-submarine SW Approaches.
(Note: Particular attention was paid to routes used by U-Boats for entry to
coastal waters.)
February Deployed in
NW Approaches.
14th Took part
in the sinking of U989 with HM Frigates LOCH ECK, BAYNTUN and
BRAITHWAITE. There were no survivors. (See U-BOATS DESTROYED.)
(Note: Captain was awarded DSC after this action.)
This
was part of an extensive operation to intercept U-Boats on passage
March Transferred
to English Channel to continue operations against U-Boats concentrating
attacks at focal points of convoy routes.
Deployed in search for Spanish trawler reported by aircraft as main contact with
German submarine.
Unable to board trawler after interception and encouraged it to depart from area
towards Spain.
April Channel
and Irish Sea deployment in continuation, based at Milford Haven
May After
termination of hostilities with Germany deployed for interception of
surrendering
U-Boats without success and rejoin Group at
Londonderry.
13th Under
repair at Londonderry.
20th
Transferred to Rosyth Escort Force.
June Deployed
for Air-Sea Rescue duty in Atlantic during flights of aircraft to and from
USA.
to
Supported re-occupation operations in Norway by transfer of stores and mail.
July
August Transferred
to 1st Anti-Submarine Training Flotilla based at Londonderry.
New
Commanding Officer: Commander G W McGuiness RNR appointed.
September Deployed with
Flotilla for training duties.
to
November
December Selected for
duty in Operation DEADLIGHT.
(Note: This was a programme for destruction of captured U-Boats in NW Approaches.
Submarines were to be sunk by various means including the use of
anti-submarine
weapons, surface armament and explosive charges.)
Deployment cancelled after ship ran aground in Loch Foyle and sustained
extensive
underwater damage.
Withdrawn from training duties.
Taken
in hand for repair in Belfast.
1 9 4 6
January Under repair
at Belfast.
to
April
May Post refit
trials.
June Resumed
Training duties at Londonderry. as part of 4th Training Flotilla.
July Training
duties at Londonderry with Flotilla in continuation.
to
Nominated for reduction to Reserve.
August
September Transfer to
Reserve delayed due to late completion cf. refit of HM Frigate LOCH TRALAIG
(Note: LOCH TRALAIG was to relieve ship in Flotilla.)
Retained in 4th Flotilla
October Training
duties at Londonderry with Flotilla.
to New
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Cdr V C F Clarke DSC Royal Navy appointed.
December
1 9 4 7
January Training
duties at Londonderry with Flotilla in continuation.
to
March
April Paid off
at Devonport and reduced to Reserve status..
May Laid up in
Category A2 Reserve at Devonport.
to
November
December Reserve
Category. reduced to B2.
To
refit before use.
Under
repair to electrical defects at Devonport.
1 9 4 8
Laid
up at Devonport in Reserve Fleet
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes, changed to F425 to conform with
introduction
of
new identities.
1 9 4 9
January
Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard at Penarth.
February Under refit.
to
April
May On
completion of post refit trials returned to Reserve Category B in Portsmouth
June
Laid up at Devonport in Reserve Fleet.
to
December
1 9 5 0
January Laid-up at
Devonport
February Nominated for
service in 2nd Frigate Flotilla after refitting.
March Under refit
by HM Dockyard, Devonport for service.
to New
Commanding Officer appointed: Commander R F Nicholson Royal Navy.
April
May
1st
Commissioned for service in 2nd Frigate Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.
Departure delayed by malicious damage to steering machinery.
June Carried
out post refit trials and worked-up for service.
26th Sailed to
join Flotilla .in Malta towing an MFV manned by some of ship's company.
July After
joining Flotilla took part in Flotilla exercises and visits.
August Visited
Messina.
Nominated for detached duty at Aqaba.
September Passage to
Aqaba for Guardship duty.
17th During
period as Guardship embarked HM King Abdulla of
Jordan
to witness weapon
firing and ship manoeuvres with HM Frigate
LOCH SCAVAIG.
October Passage to
Malta to resume
Flotilla duties after relief at Aqaba.
Took
part in Flotilla programme including visit to Leghorn.
November Flotilla duties
in continuation.
Visited Tripoli with HMS LOCH SCAVAIG.
December Routine docking
in Malta and
resumed Flotilla duties on completion.
1 9 5 1
January Deployed
with Flotilla for exercises and visited Dragonasti with HM Frigate LOCH
LOMOND.
February Took part in Spring Cruiser
exercise and visit programme with Mediterranean Fleet.
23rd Withdrawn
from joint exercise with US Navy ships after machinery defect.
Towed
to Gibraltar for repair.
24th Arrived
at Gibraltar.
March Planned
refit in Malta
transferred to Gibraltar
Taken
in hand for refit by HM Dockyard.
April Under
refit.
27th Rendered
assistance after RFA BEDENHAM blew up after explosion at
Gibraltar.
(Note: This ship was unloading explosives when a barge loaded with depth charges
caught fire. The resultant explosion killed eighteen people and many were
injured together with damage to dockside buildings).
May On
completion of post refit trials took passage to Malta to resume duty in the 2nd
Frigate
Flotilla.
When
entering Mellehia to paint ship before commencing Flotilla duty grounded.
Sustained extensive underwater damage included loss of propeller blades.
(Note: The Commanding Officer was subsequently court-martialled and 'dismissed'
his ship.)
June Under
repair.
to (Note:
During this period some of the ship's company were sent to provide part of
July the crew
for HM Landing Ship (Infantry) being taken out of the
Reserve Fleet in
Malta
for
service at Basra after Iran
demanded that the
Anglo-Iranian Oil Company be
nationalised).
August Carried out
harbour and sea trials
September On completion
rejoined Flotilla.
After
arrival in Sliema Creek the ship was involved in a series of collisions.
(Note: This did little to recover any of this ship's poor reputation as one of
the other ships
involved was HM Destroyer SAINTES, the Leader of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla and
commanded by a Captain, Royal Navy.)
October Deployed
with Flotilla in Malta.
November Prepared to
recommission in Malta.
(Note: The ship had only been in commission for 18 months as opposed to 30 months,
the
normal
at that time for a foreign commission. It is difficult to avoid the conclusion
that the
change
was made in an attempt to re-establish her somewhat tarnished image !).
21st
Re-commissioned in Malta for service in 2nd Frigate Flotilla.
New
Commanding Officer: Commander R N Rycroft Royal Navy.
Rejoined HM Sloop MERMAID (Senior Officer), HM Frigate
LOCH SCAVAIG and
HM Sloop
MAGPIE (commanded by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh) in Flotilla.
December Resumed
Flotilla duties after maintenance period.
1 9 5 2
January Deployed as
Guardship at Port Said during Egyptian threats to nationalise the
Suez
Canal
Provided shore landing parties in support of military.
February Port Said
duties in continuation.
27th Took
passage to Benghazi to resume Flotilla duties.
March
11th Sailed
from Benghazi to take part in Mediterranean Fleet exercises.
April Fleet
deployment with Flotilla in continuation.
5th Visited
Algiers.
Returned to Malta.
May Flotilla
duties in continuation and visited Messina.
June Took part
in Mediterranean Fleet Summer Cruiser exercise and visits programme
with
Flotilla.
21st Visited
Corfu for 7 days.
July Fleet
programme duties in continuation.
3rd Visited
Dragonasti.
14th At
Navarino with HM Frigate LOCH LOMOND during Fleet Regatta.
20th Returned
to Malta.
August Nominated for
return to UK to be
reduced to Reserve status.
(Note: This decision had been made in view of the planned availability of faster
anti-submarine frigates the being converted from Fleet Destroyers.
HM
Destroyers ROCKET and RELENTLESS were the prototypes).
Flotilla duties in continuation at Malta.
September Deployed at
Port Said as Guardship.
October Prepared for
return passage to UK.
November Paid-off and de-stored
to Began
reduction to Reserve status
December
1 9 5 3
January Reduction to
Reserve at Devonport.
to
Accepted into Reserve.
March (Note:
Although recommended for modernisation by Flag Officer Commanding Reserve Fleet
this
proposal was not implemented. The earlier groundings and defect rate associated
with
machinery may have influenced the decision not to do extensive work in the
ship).
April Laid-up
at Devonport
to
December
1 9 5 4
January Nominated
for refit by HM Dockyard Devonport to ensure Reserve Category I status.
February Under repair
and refit.
to
March
May Laid-up in
Reserve at Devonport.
to
December
1 9 5 5
January Selected for
refit by Charles Hill at Bristol
to
Prepared for tow and refit.
February
March Taken in
hand for refit at Bristol. Under refit
April Under
refit
to
November
December Commissioned
for post refit sea trials.
1 9 5 6
January On
completion of trials Paid off and returned to Bristol shipyard for provision of
dehumidification
equipment to protect the weapon
mountings from weather
damage whilst laid up in Reserve.
February Preservation
work in progress.
to April
May On
completion prepared for tow to Penarth.
June Laid up
in Reserve Fleet at Penarth.
to December
F i n a l P h a s e
HMS LOCH DUNVEGAN remained in Supplementary Reserve at Penarth until
1960 when she was put on the Disposal List. Sold to BISCO
for demolition by T W Ward at Briton Ferry where the
ship arrived under tow at the
breaker’s
yard on 24th August 1960.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS
LOCH DUNVEGAN
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above
Date convoy sailed
|
Joined convoy as escort
|
Convoy No. |
Left convoy
|
Date convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
15/08/44
|
15/08/44
|
JW 059
|
25/08/44
|
25/08/44
|
28/08/44
|
28/08/44
|
RA 059A
|
04/09/44
|
05/09/44
|
16/09/44
|
16/09/44
|
DS 057
|
19/09/44
|
19/09/44
|
21/09/44
|
21/09/44
|
SD 057
|
23/09/44
|
23/09/44
|
14/10/44
|
15/10/44
|
ONS 034
|
17/10/44
|
01/11/44
|
29/10/44
|
30/10/44
|
ONS 035
|
01/11/44
|
15/11/44
|
04/03/45
|
unknown
|
HX 342
|
unknown
|
19/03/45
|
24/03/45
|
24/03/45
|
TBC 107
|
27/03/45
|
27/03/45
|
21/04/45
|
22/04/45
|
OS 124KM
|
25/04/45
|
27/04/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note on Convoys)