Original build order on 25tgh January 1943 with Pickersgill at Sunderland for A/S Frigate LOCH GLASS changed in 1944 to
AA Frigate The ship was laid down as Job
Number 4795 (Yard Number 263) on 29th April 1944 and launched on 12th
April 1944 as HMS LUCE BAY. After launch the contract was terminated on 6th
June 1944 and she was towed to Devonport for completion by HM Dockyard as HMS
LUCE BAY. Build design was changed for use as a Survey Ship during fitting out.
Before completion in January 1947 the name was again changed to HMS DALRYMPLE.
Build was completed on 10th February 1949. In common with the other four Ex
LOCH Class frigate hulls converted into survey ships the name chosen was that
of a notable British hydrographer. Alexander
Dalrymple (1737 - 1808).
Manning Port: Devonport
till centralised
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: On a Field White, nine lozenges conjoined in
saltire Red
First
Commission
Commissioned for service on 10th February 1948.
Commanding Officer: Captain A. Day, CBE, DSO (30/12/48).
February
After repair to defects found on trials carried out shoal
examinations off Spain during passage to Malta and called at Gibraltar.
Mediterranean (April - August).
Malta Harbour Survey.
Detached parties landed for
survey of Grand Harbour creeks using 2 survey motor boats.
Ship offshore work with Beacons in Malta Channel. Taut wire measurements made.
(Note Type 972 most effective and ship
visited by both FO Malta and CinC Mediterranean.)
Tripoli Harbour Clearance and
Depth Examination (May)
Detached party with 2 survey
motor boats left behind on departure.
Commanding Officer Captain EHB Baker, DSO
(
June 1949)
Malta Channel work 50% complete
(June)
Refit at Gibraltar (July)
(Note: Excess wear found in
stem tubes and "A" Bracket bearings after only 6 months service.)
Towed Lighter C647 from
Gibraltar on return to survey work (July)
Off shore work completed.
Grand Harbour incomplete due to
access problems in some areas (August)
Passage to Persian Gulf (September).
Towed MFV90. Speed limited by tow and duration
extended by defects in MFV.
Tripoli harbour sweeping work
(September)
Visited Socotra with Sultan's
stipend (In Marie Theresa dollars) and Mjkalla for
routine call by Resident whilst MFV under repair (October).
Persian Gulf (November 1949 - March 1950).
Survey of Northern approaches to Bahrain.
Commenced triangulation before
Xmas break at Basrah
(Note: Operating difficulties
with survey motor boats because of weather
conditions.
More use made of ship for sounding work.
Discussed survey requirements
with OWEN prior to joint survey work (January - February).
Doha visit restricted by
weather conditions (February)
Detached parties landed by both
ships with Jeeps at Fuwairat.
Completed planned tasks including coast lining.
Passage to Mediterranean.
Called at Kamaran after leaving Aden.
(Note:Buoy positions fixed and improvements recommended
(April)
Commanding Officer: Captain EG Irving, OBE ( /04/50)
Mediterranean (May -
Cctober).
Continued survey in Adventure Bank area between Malta and Sicily.
Visited Porto Hipadocle. Measured Mile off Ghain
luffia survey for Fleet Navigation Officer.
Refit Period at Gibraltar (July to September)
Local harbour survey began on
arrival. 14 Days Station leave granted.
Dockyard work included
lengthening funnel by 12 feet to improve draught.
Unsatisfactory shore accommodation arrangements.
Oh completion checked new
submarine target positioned off Gibraltar to test A/S equipment.
Captain visited Spanish
Hydrographer at Cadiz and laboratory at Malaga.
Passage to Bahrein (October - November).
Bathythermograph measurements
on lines of no magnetic variation in Red Sea and in Perim
Strait
Persian Gulf (November 1950 to February 1951).
Based at Bahrain. Survey NW of Qatar
ccmnenced with Tide Watching parties detached
,.
Progress delayed by
Shamal conditions. Visited Basrah
and Abadan over }faas/New
Year period
Hospitality and social exchanges with Oil Company personnel. Survey in Bahrein
approaches with further delays by weather. Anchor damage sustained.
Passage to UK (February - March).
Sailed for UK to pay off on 15 February.
Shoal Examinations in Red Sea
and near Cape Bon.
Annual Inspection in Malta.
Diversion to assist
mv BONAIRE off Start Point cancelled. Arrived at Plymouth
on 20 March
Interim Refit (April - July).
Both propeller shafts replaced;
Fire in Paint Shop extinguished by ships staff. A/S 162 fitted and E/S 765
replaced by E/S 767.
Second Commission
Commissioned: 21 June 1951
Commanding Officer: Commander Irving
Passage to Indian Ocean (July).
Called at Gibraltar to land medical case.
Shoal examination work in
Mediterranean abandoned due to weather and another off Zubair
Island in Red Sea was unsuccessful. Brief stay at Aden for
leave to Somali's.
Zanzibar Approaches (August -
November).
Preparatory work proceeded
without interruption as unrest in Zanzibar had subsided.
Detached parties for tide
watching and clearance before setting up triangulation Marks.
Future work discussed with
shore authorities at Mombasa. Investigated existing land survey marks.
Astronomer Royal advised of
queries and asked Hydrographer to make further
checks.
Field and boat work started.
Shoal areas discovered notified to local shipping. During visit to Pemba
invitation to local 'bull baiting' (dating back to Portuguese
occupation) was arranged. Excellent local assistance and
hospitality provided Programme completed and shore parties recovered. Sailed for Khor
Kuwai (November).
Arrived Bahrain in company with LOCH GLENDHU.
Persian Gulf (December 1951 - March 1952
Shah Alum Shoal survey prior to provision of navigational light.
Planned Jetty near HMS JUFAIR
discussed.
Detached parties and
reconnaissance prior to setting up Marks and triangulation work (December).
Xmas at Bahrain with Dance for Servicemen arranged by Lady Hay,
wife of Political Resident.
Arson attempt in Boiler Room by
ME rating failed
(Note: Returned to UK as schizophrenic
Work in Western approaches to
Um Said with OWEN delayed by shamal conditions.
Detached parties continued
shore work. Beacons set up. R&R at Urn Said.
Diverted to Basra for Manorial Service after death of King George
VI.
On return increased boat work
and other activity to make up for earlier delays.
Shamal conditions persisted until May
but ship sounding not seriously affected.
Survey liaison established with
US Navy survey ship (USS VALCOUR) for future work
(Note:Jeep vehicle available for first time during this
period.
Passage to Mediterranean (April )
Soundings and magnetic checks. Called at Hallamya,
Kuria Marie Islands.
Extensive shoal examinations
carried out in Red Sea.
Mediterranean (April 195 - June 1952).
Soundings off Crete for Cambridge University.
Annual Inspection at Malta
(April)
Passage via Messina Straits to
attend International Hydrographic
Berthed alongside
International Hydrographic Bureau.
(Note:Many international visitors and Rear Admiral Day,
Hydrographer of the Navy hosted reception
Continuation of Adventure Bank
and Grand Harbour work with detached parties in Malta (May to June)
Sicily Channel Taut wire
measurements using Beacons and least depth checks by boats.
Interim Refit and Chart
preparation at Gibraltar (July - October]
Local sounding work in harbour
by detached party
Captain visited Spanish
Hydrographic Office at Cadiz.
Dockyard work delayed till
August.
(Note: Two Somali ratings
returned to Aden after messdeck altercation.)
On completion of dockyard work
took passage to Gibraltar
Flag Officer Gibraltar embarked
for first official visit to Cadiz by Royal Navy since 1936.
Sporting exchanges and visits
by Spanish hydrographers.
Ship's boats rescued FLAMINGO
ratings from water on two separate occasions (October)
New Commanding Officer
Commander R Bill, DSO RN appointed
Passage to Persian Gulf.
Embarked 22 soldiers for
passage to Port Said from Malta (November)
Assisted in repair of telephone
cable off Aden (December)
Soundings recorded during
passage frcm Aden.
Persian Gulf Survey (December
1952 - March 1953.
Progress discussion with HMS OWEN
Short survey at
Bahrein (December)
Xmas arrangements at Bahrain similar to 1951.
Progressed Dalma
- Yas area survey off Trucial Coast with OWEN (January to March )
At Bahrein
with HMS OWEN for CinC East Indies visit
in HMS CEYLON
(January).
Dubai dhow rescued (February).
Survey work additionally
delayed by severe shamal conditions which caused much
frustration.
Passage to East Africa.
Investigations carried out into
best methods of landing equipment over open beaches in anticipation of future
requirements.
East African Coast (April -
June 1953)
Continuation of Zanzibar area
survey
Detached parties carried out
harbour work
At Dar-es-Salaam for Coronation
ceremonies and R&R.
Visited Mombasa for International Indian Ocean Exploration
requirements in 1954.
Passages to and from Refit at
Devonport
Embarked Governor and Lady Crawford at Seychelles for passage to
Aden (June).
Returned to Devonport for interim refit period until October.
On return passage to Persian
Gulf called at Aden to embark Somali ratings (November)
Completed Survey of
Ras Mandrake
Persian Gulf (December 1953 -
April 1954)
Daz area survey by ship only as
weather prevented use of boats.(December).
Met OWEN to discuss progress of survey work.
Detached party landed for tidal
measurements at Yaz.
Withdrawn early for medivac on 20
December.
Xrnas and New Year at Bahrain.
Survey resumed and completed
despite interruption for two medivacs.
Ship grounded on coral pinnacle
- Log unit damaged (20 January).
Commanding Officer: Commander J T K Paisley (08/02/54)
New area survey commenced (Hallul - Hadid) but delay experienced
due to weather.
Barge (VYC144) under tow during
passage from Bahrain to Basra sank (27 February).
Buoyed wreck for later recovery
action
.Basra R&R visit coincided
with international exhibition attended by King Hussein of Jordan
and King
Faisal of Iraq. 25% of survey work planned for
Persian Gulf completed (April).
Passage to Zanzibar (April).
Embarked workman for landing at Khor
Kuwai.
Soundings and detached party
tidal work at Qibliya Island, Kuria
Maria Group
Medical emergency - evacuated by air from Salalah.
(Note: Assistance from HMS OWEN
not needed
East African Survey Work (April - December 1954).
Preparatory work for Zanzibar
harbour approaches survey (May).
Assisted in search for defective underwater communications cable.
Visited Mombasa (May)
Passage to Simonstown
for refit (May)
Carried out Shoal examination off Hully
Point.
Medivac to Salisbury Island SAN Base near Durban.
Hull damage during heavy weather whilst on passage to
Simonstown.
Docking and essential defects (June - September).
Repairs needed to steering gear
and machinery defects found during sea trials.
(Note: Lack of lubricating oil
in shaft Plummer Blocks.
Subsequent Court Martial found
rating guilty of one of 3 charges involving this defect.)
At request of Portuguese
Government searched for rock off Punta Zavoma where
ss KLIPFONTEIN
foundered in January 1953.
Southern approaches to Zanzibar
survey (October 1954 - January 1955).
Detached parties deployed for
for coast lining and boat sounding.
Local harbour survey at request
of Port authority
(Note: Severe storm whilst in
harbour but ship rode
steadily (October)
Escorted Royal Yacht for visit
(October)
.Despite delays completion as
planned for end December.
Visit to Pemba included Bull
Fight and disappointing behaviour by libertymen
(December).
Exercises were carried out with
Royal East African Navy vessels during this period.
Xmas and New Year spent at
Zanzibar.
(Note: Social exchanges including
performances by Ship's Concert Party and Dance arrange by British
community.)
Improved shore behaviour noted.
Passage to Mediterranean (January 1955).
Triangulation work in Malta by
Royal Engineers discussed during call at Suez.
Mediterranean (February - Nay 1955).
Large scale survey at
Famgusta, Cyprus using detached parties (January -
February)
Malta coastline and offshore
areas surveyed in conjunction with RE Survey Team (See above).
RN work included:-
Grand Harbour and other Creeks
by detached parties
Fleet Exercise Areas and bays
together with coastal areas by ship.
Taut wire measuring gear frequently used.
Fire in Galley due to Deep Fat
Fryer being left switched ON.
(Note: Incorrect fire-fighting
procedure used.
Total cost of repair and rewiring
£64 (31 March)
Display of Hydrographic
work arranged to encourage candidates for surveying duties.
Passage to UK.
Continuation of Adventure Bank
work from 1953 (May)
Met OWEN at Gibraltar
Arrived at Plymouth 30 May.
Third Commission
Commissioned: 6 July 1955
Commanding Officer: Commander JTK Paisley (8/2/54
Refit Period (June - September
1955)
Port main engine re-aligned.
Shaft bearings overheated during trials.
Clearance parameters revised in
future.
Captain and officers attended
launch of Zanzibar Government ship at Kingswear
shipyard. Hydrographer visited ship (September)
No Somali ratings carried and
accommodation used as Gunroom for officers under training.
Mediterranean (September 1955 - Mid May 1956).
Detached parties in Malta
continued Grand Harbour and creeks survey.
Ship Soundings and
triangulation of the Exercise Areas progressed but hampered by weather.
Adventure Bank and Pantelleria Strait
sweeping and shoal examination (February - March).
Magnetic observations using new
BMZ gear.
Visited Sorrento for R&R.
At Monaco for the wedding of Price Rainier to Grace Kelly.
(Note: Floodlit and Guard
landed (April)
Premature SUBSUNK operation for
HM Submarine SEA DEVIL
(May).
EXPEDITION party making journey to Cape Bon IN SHIP’S WHALER discontinued
because of weather (May)
Passage to UK (May).
Landed party at Syracuse to return overland to Plymouth on minimum
budget.
Interim Refit at Devonport
(July - September 1956)
Commanding Officer Lieut.
Cdr. JD Winstanley
Completion delay by repair work on refrigeration equipment and on
post refit trials defects.
Mediterranean Service (October 1956 - April 1957 including Suez
Operation).
During visit to Gibraltar for
repair of weather damage newly dredged are of harbour swept to confirm no
obstructions, (September).
Grand Harbour and coastal work
continued on arrival at Malta.
Annual inspection by Flag Officer Malta.
Diverted from planned Tobruk survey to
take part in Operation MUSKETEER on 27thOctober.
.Operation MUSKETEER (November).
Joined Convoy MES2 and required
for wreck dispersal duty.
(Note: Additional depth charges
stowage had been fitted earlier
. Stores transferred from HM Depot Ship FORTH.
Arrived Port Said on 6 November.
Suez Clearance Work.
Joined other ships in task of clearance of obstructions preventing
access to Canal.
(Note: This was of major
importance and clearly suited to a survey ship.
The RN Staff Officer (Salvage) -
Commander JRL Dore, DSC joined on 7 December to assist
. Lord Hailsham
(First Lord of the Admiralty) and other senior officers visited ship on 14th
December.
Some sniping and small arms fire
took place before 22 December when all RN warships were withdrawn.
UN Flag was then worn and RN
Liaison Officer to UN Emergency Force ,Captain TE
Podger)
accommodated
on board.
During period of service with UN
personnel wore overalls and berets and ships flew UN flag
Saluting guns had been removed and
four Finnish guards remained on board at all times as independent
observers.
Communications facilities were
provided until ship released from UN service
. Seven of the known 23 wrecks were
removed by DALRYMPLE staff.
Morale was excellent throughout
and various 'out
of hours' emergencies were tackled in a commendable
manner.
Sailed for Cyprus two days
later with "Z" Lighter in tow for delivery to Famagusta.
No shore leave had been
possible for 11 weeks and a special R&R programne
was approved by CinC
Mediterranean. Visited Palermo and Naples after a 3 day return to survey of
Malta Exercise areas.
Malta Area (February - March
1957)
Coastal survey including
Gozo and Exercise areas was completed and joined with
military shore survey.
Detached Party triangulation in
Sliema was also completed.
Passage to UK (March - April).
Sailed to Gibraltar on 20th
March
Shoal examination and difficult
core sampling work.
Boat work carried out in
dredged area of harbour at Gibraltar.
Embarked military and RAF personnel
for passage (April)
Planned provision of Cover
for passage of
Landing Craft Tank in Atlantic passage abandoned due to weather conditions
which delayed arrival at Plymouth.
Wore UN Flag and Suez Company flag on arrival at Devonport on 8
April.
Fourth Commission
Commissioned: 21 May 1957
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander JD Winstanley
(24/ /06/56)
Refit Period at Devonport
(April - June)
(Note:2
Range DECCA System equipment (Ex OWEN) fitted.
Detached parties sent to Moll
of Galloway area to find suitable sites for Slave Stations (May).
Trial planning meeting with
ASRE and Geodetic scientists (June)
Carried out 2 Range DECCA
Equipment Trials (June)
(Note: Measurements made from
shore positions whilst ship steamed from Lands End to Holyhead.)
On completion Slave Station
calibration was effected with ship at Port Patrick, near Stranraer.
West Coast Scotland Survey (July - October).
Tobermory harbour by detached party and
ship sounding (July)
Local survey of
Lerwick area with FETLAR (July)
Sound of Mill Least Depth sweeping over wreck (July).
(Note: Five punishment warrants
for discipline offences by a minority of new ship's company.
)
Carried out survey in Western
Approaches to North Channel (August - November).
First 2 Range DECCA Survey.
Weekends at Londonderry.
(Note:Weather overall poor.
Slave Stations at Port Ellen,
Islay and Benbane Head, NW of Portrush,
Antrim.
Tide watching Party at
Portnahaven, and later Bruichladdich
(Islay) and Ihstrhall
.Poor weather caused damage to
ship and at Benbane Head Slave Station.
Leave period at Liverpool
(August)
Detached party at Londonderry for Lough Foyle work.
Ship sounding across North Channel in poor weather which reduced
boat sounding.
Outbreak of Asian 'flu reduced effort available.
Passage to Devonport (November).
Local survey at Dartmouth with detached party used.
(Note: 23 relatives joined ship
for return trip to Devonport.)
South Coast Survey (February - May 1958).
Commanding Officer: Commander DW Haslam
18/1/58
(Later Hydrographer of the
Navy 1975 – 1985)
