Transferred to Portsmouth until
centralised.
H e r a l d i
c D a t a
Badge: On a Field White in front of 3
bars couped wavy Blue,
a Roebuck's head erased Proper, gorged with a
ducal crown Gold
D e t a I l s o f
S e r v I c e
1 9 4 8
March
Carried out First of Class harbour and Sea Trials
to (Note: First of
the conversions to Survey Ship to be completed
April. Manned by
Trials complement and after extensive trials consequential repair work
was completed by HM Dockyard.)
May
4th Commissioned for foreign service in the Far East
. (Note:Seven Assistant Hydrographers
were included in complement.)
Commanding Officer: Captain K. St.B Collins,
QBE, DSC
.
(Later Rear Admiral, KBE,.DSC and Hydrographer
1957 to 1960).
First Commission 1948 - 50.
June
18th Took passage from Chatham and on completion of D/F
calibration sailed for Devonport.
22nd Sailed from
Devonport for foreign service.
26th Emergency repair
work carried out at Gibraltar after rough passage
Resumed passage on completion.
July Passage in Red Sea and Indian Ocean with call at Aden.
(Note: Oceanographic measurements and shoal examinations
were carried out on passage.
.
27th Searched for B29
aircraft which crashed when taking off at night from Khormaksar, Aden,
(Note: No survivors found.
Wreckage located by radar and buoyed.
August
Diverted to Colombo to land rating for medical
treatment.
Joined BPF at Singapore (August).
September
Carried out Malayan Coasts Survey based at Singapore.
to (Note: These
included Kelentan (East) and Bintulu
(West). Klang Strait,
October and Port Swettenham.
November
On completion took passage to Hong Kong
December
Under refit and docking at Hong Kong
(Note: Work done included replacement of Starboard Danforth anchor by 34cwt Stockless
type and Hawse pipe modified.
1 9 4 9
January
Refit in continuation
to New Commanding
Officer: Commander SJ Hennesey, RN (19/01/49)
March
April Carried out Survey in Borneo area.
to (Work included Batang Sadong and Labuan (Ship and Detached parties)
June Brunei Bay (Ship) and Brunei River (Detached Parties)
July Docking and
Essential Defects at Singapore
On completion
deployed for survey on East coast of Malaya
(Note: Work included Sermut Abi; Kota Bahru area and Kelentan.
August Despatched to Hong Kong for special new requirement.
Carried out Deep Bay local survey
with protection provided by RM Commando unit.
September
Deep Bay survey in progress
7th Typhoon conditions experienced
with winds of up to 100 mph which enforced
move from normal anchorage to a better position off TAINKEN Island.
(Note:Two dinghies were wrecked on quarterdeck.
Flooding caused due to poor fitting
of scuttles and superstructure doors.
Commanding Officer reported overall behaviour to be ' reassuring '. ).
Party taken
to Pratas Reef to repair damaged Meteorological
Equipment but unsuccessful.
Returned to Singapore to continue
East Coast survey.
October East Coast survey in
continuation.
to (Note: Work
included Perhentian Island to Sungei
(Kelentan).
November
Continuous sounding and 'least depth' determination recorded over wrecks
in
China Sea on passage to
and from survey area.
December Taken in hand for Annual Refit
and Docking at Hong Kong
1 9 5 0
January Under refit
to (Note: Work
included fit of Electrical driven davits.
April Repair of Hall structure damage sustained on
passage.
Funnel height extended by 6 feet which later proved fully worthwhile and
reduced
effect of fumes and heat haze in bridge area.
On
completion took passage to Borneo
May Carried out survey
between Labuan and Gaya Bay
Returned to Singapore to re-commission
18th Commissioned
(Note:New Ship's Company from Chatham Depot travelled in HM
Light Fleet Aircraft
Carrier OCEAN and transferred with ships
lying in adjacent berths.
20th Survey work was
resumed off North Borneo between Labuan and Gaya Bay
Second Commission
1950 - 54
June Survey carried out at Victoria Harbour
to (Note:
Kuala Similajou
commercial Timber development facilities were well in hand)
July Carried out survey
of Tioman Exercise area.
August Transferred for further
Malayan coast work including Cibu Channel to Blair Harbour,
to Klang Strait and Penang)
November
December
Passage to Hong Kong for annual refit.
(Note:
Shoal examination, least depth assessment of wrecks and continuous soundings on
passage with Bathythermograph measurements.
1 9 5 1
January
Under refit
to (Note: Local shoal
examination work was undertaken at Hong Kong.
April Detached party was
deployed on DG Range survey at Singapore.
New
Commanding Officer:Commander RH Connell (16/03/51).
May Resumed Borneo East
Coast survey work including Tanjong Batu to Batang Tatau)
to (Note: Extensive
use of Detached Parties for setting up Marks, Triangulation and Tide
June Watching)
Body of civilian Manager taken to Miri at
request of Timber Company.
July Passage to Singapore for Docking period.
Extended because of replacement of bearings in "A"
bracket.
31st Dockyard work
completed
August
Resumed NE Borneo coast survey at Kuala Similajou
to Detached Party
at Bintulu.
September
October
Passage to continue Malayan coast survey.
Local surveys
carried out at Singapore and Penang
November
On completion took passage to Hong Kong for annual refit.
During passage affected
by Typhoon AMY with
wind speeds up to 80 knots and heavy seas.
(Note: Commanding Officer reported
' Behaviour beautiful in a sea way with dry foc'sle but very wet Quarterdeck.’
' Little pounding but needed to keep Revolutions for 9 knots
to hold required
course '.
‘ Damage to hull structure below waterline added to Defect
List.’
December Taken in hand for refit by HM
Dockyard, Hong Kong.
1 9 5 2
January Under refit
to Local survey work
undertaken.
March
April Passage to resumed
survey on West coast Borneo survey
May Survey in continuation
including periods at Tanjong Pandaras
and Tanganak:
to (Note: Extensive
liaison established with shore survey authorities in Borneo.
July
Identified need for US co-operation during future work
(See below).
Ship and Detached parties used for Sandakan - Marudu Bay area.
Located wreck
of Japanese tanker using A/S and E/S equipment (May)
August
Returned to Singapore to re-commission and for
Docking Period.
Third Commission 1952-54.
15th Commissioned for service
September Under refit
Detached
Parties carried out work in Pulau Tioman.
October
Resumed survey including Burong, To Kong Bara,
Sirbuat, Hariman and Sembilang.
November
Deployed on West Coast Malaya continuation
Detached Parties at Penang and Georgetown.
December
Diverted for special wreck investigation in Brunei Bay.
Passage to Hong Kong for refit with calls at Manila and at US Navy Base at Subic Bay
for US equipment. (12 December)
Taken in hand for annual refit period and docking.
(Note: Extensive preparation of Charts was carried out
during these periods)
1 9 5 3
January
Under refit
to Dockyard work
included
March Replacement of Tail
Shaft bearings by new type.
Main
Engines re-aligned in accordance with 1952 Directive from Admiralty.
New Bottom Search Asdic,Type 162 fitted.
(Note Echo-Sounding
Outfit Type 767 to replace E/S Type 765 not available.)
Local survey
work using ship's boats was carried out.
New Commanding Officer:Commander JC Grattan, DSC* (05/03/53)
April. On completion of
dockyard work carries out Full Power Trial
(Note: Speed - 18 knots after many problems rectified
Took passage to resume North East Borneo continuation.
May
Survey in continuation including Labuan area and Kennedy Bay for shoal examination
using newly installed
Type 162:
Work included Sibuang to Billean; Darvel Bay; Kudat
Ship and
Detached Parties were used for these tasks.):
June Work suspended to attend
Coronation ceremonies at Sandakan with Parades and visits
by Tribal dignitaries. Ship was illuminated and ' Open to
Public visitors ':
8th Returned to
survey.
Court Martial
of Stores Petty Officer carroed out relating to
deficiency in Cash Clothing
Account
. Result:Disrated and deprived of
GC Badges and LS Medal.
July Borneo survey tasks in continuation.
August
On completion took passage to Singapore for Docking period
At Singapore for hull examination and
essential defect repair by HM Dockyard.
During this
period local reef examinations were carried out.
September
On completion resumed Malayan East Coast survey.
to Motor Launches were deployed to
assist using portable Echo-sounding equipment
October
Detached parties were landed for Tidal and other observations.
November Transferred to West Coast of
Malaya including surbey work at Penang with ship
anchored at Pulau Jerejak for extensive Boat work.
(Note:Royal Malayan Navy trainees embarked for sea
experience.)
December
Passage to Hong Kong for annual refit
Reef
examination carried out off Jesselton.
11th Ship forced to ‘ Hove to ‘ for 48 hours in excess
weather conditions.
(Note: Upper Deck fittings broken and flooding of
compartments on Lower Deck.
Damage to underwater Asdic transducer fittings and hull structure.
Army personnel embarked for this trip accustomed themselves well !)
On arrival taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard.
1 9 5 4
January
Under refit
to Work undertaken
included replacement of parts of Funnel Deck and Midships
structure
March
due to excessive corrosion.
Air
Conditioning Unit fitted in Survey Chartroom
(Note Similar
unit was had previously been fitted in Sick Bay.)
April
After trials took passage
to Singapore for Annual Inspection.
May
Resumed North East coast Borneo survey based at Labuan
to (Note:
Recommendation made that urgent need existed for improved navigational aids
August to be
provided around this coast.
Implementation was felt difficult because of financial constraints.
Ship and
detached parties engaged in Billean - Kukuban area: where a 40 foot
Tower was
sited on summit of Tigabu for a Beacon to be
installed with local
assistance and much effort required.
Rating seriously
injured in swimming pool accident and evacuated by air with neck
vertibra fracture (May)
Attended
Queen's Birthday Parade at Sandakan with HMS NEWFOUNDLAND
(Flag officer 2nd
in Command, Far East Station
embarked) (5th and 6th June)
Carried out
unsuccessful search with Mosquito aircraft for a pirate vessel after raid on
Jambougon
Island (24th June).
Visited Indonesia port of Tarakan.(16th-18th July).
(Note: Sluggish start but eventually hospitable conclusions
(16/8 July).
Carried out shoal
examinations on passage to Singaporefor routine
docking.
September In hand for hull examination by
HM Dockyard, Singapore.
Rating injured
in accident with motor vehicle in Dockyard.
October
On completion resumed
East coast Malaya survey tasks in Aur - Tioman area
Medical
assistance provided at Paula Tioman.
Detached party
with Motor Launch assistance sent to Penang to prepare for future work.
14th Deployed on
West coast Malaya at Penang.
Royal Malayan
Navy trainees embarked for sea experience
23rd Passage to Singapore to recommission
Notes on 3rd Commission
Contemporary
documentation suggests a higher number of warrants for punishment being read
than would be expected. These included Leave breaking,
Drunkenness, and in one Neglect of
duty involving deficiency in cash accounting.
Embarkation of Royal
Malayan Navy personnel
(Commissioned Bos'n and 25 ratings)
proved
very successful. Future Arrangements were made to include ME
and Supply Branch ratings in
future.
Fourth Commission 1954-56
29th Commissioned
November Resumed West coast Malaya
survey based at Penang and included included
Tidal
observations and an Oropesa Sweep
of Southern approach channel.
Midshipmen
from HM Cruiser NEWCASTLE embarked.
December Passage to Hong Kong via Singapore for Annual
Refit.
Shoal
examination carried out in South China Sea using Taut Wire Measuring Gear for
Beacon laying. Bathythermograph measurements made.
On arrival at Hong Kong taken in hand
for refit by HM Dockyard.
1 9 5 5
January Under refit.
to (Note: This was
marked by disciplinary problems some of which had to be dealt with by
March
Court Martial (See below).
Dockyard work
included fitting of Echo-sounding Outfit Type 76? fitted.
New
Commanding Officer Commander CRK Roe,
DSC (18/02/55).
April Completion delayed
till 4 April by replacement of fuel pipework found to
be corroded
beneath lagging.
On
completion took passage to Singapore during which Shoal examinations were made.
12th After arrival
despatched in emergency diversion to carry out search for missing civilian
aircraft KASHMIR EXPRESS near Natuma Island.
Raised steam
quickly and sailed with some libertymen still ashore.
13th Three survivors and three bodies
recovered and taken to Singapore
(Note: It
was later suggested that this was a result of sabotage as aircraft was carrying
some
representatives to an 'Afro-Asian' conference at Bandung).
14th Courts Martial
held (See above.)
Able Seaman
charged with ' An act prejudicial ' -
Found Guilty and sentenced to 15 months
detention.
Signalman
charged with 'Behaving with contempt' and other lesser charges - Pleaded Guilty
and sentenced to 9 months detention, 9 days pay stopped and
Deprived of 2 Good Conduct
Badges. Able Seaman charged with 'Using insulting language'
and other lesser charges.
Found Guilty
and sentenced to 6 months detention and deprived of 1 Good Conduct Badge.
Able Seaman
charged with: Wilful disobedience, Striking a superior
officer, Actual bodily
harm and using insulting language -Pleaded Guilty and
sentenced to 30 months cells and
Dismissed the service.
Carried out Local survey in Singapore area.
Detached
parties for tide watching sent to Banaggi and Tigarbu.
May North Borneo survey in continuation in Mallawali Channel area.
Detached
parties carried out tidal observations and triangulation work.
Main Camp at Patanunma Island.
Boats
engaged in sweeping and sounding operations.
Pinnacle
located at Tanjong Datu. whilst based at Sandakan and at Kudat
for R&R periods.
Assisted in
local fire-fighting at Jesselton (May)
June Attended Queen's
Birthday Parade at Sandakan
Shoal
examination in Balabac Strait and Miri
Radar fixing used due to poor weather.
July Local harbour
survey work undertaken at Sandakan for SHELL petroleum
installation
Magnetic observation using recently supplied
OHM and BMZ instruments.
Passage to Singapore.
Carried out survey in Singapore Roads survey before Docking Period.
August
Carried out Local surveys at
Woodlands and for planned jetty at Boom Defence Depot.
Docked at Singapore for routine Hull examination.
September
On completion resumed East Coast Malaya survey between Telak and Kuala Rompin with
to Magnetic
observations.
October Shallow Water Diving Team
exercised.
Fixed position of Pulau Rosin in Gulf of Thailand.
Transferred to West Coast
Malaya for continuation of work including
November
Work included southern approaches to Penang.
Guards
provided for Remembrance Ceremonial occasions at Penang
Tidal
observations made at Pulau Rimau
and inshore surveying
Magnetic
observations carried out at Rimau
Island
Inshore
Beacons were lost in this period
On
completion of season’s work took passage to Hong Kong
for abbual refit with call at
Singapore
December Taut Wire Measurements,
soundings and shoal examinations in South China Sea on
passage to Hong Kong for refit.
Rough weather
caused damage and prevented completion of planned work
Taken in hand for by HM Dockyard, Hong Kong for refit and
docking.
1 9 5 6
January Under
Refit.
to Work included
modernisation of Messdeckis
February Installation of DECCA Track
Plotter Unit loaned for future work (See Below).
Local survey
work undertaken at Hong Kong.
New
Commanding Officer:Commander ND Royds,
RN (02/01/56).
March On completion took
passage to Singapore to re-commission.
Fifth Commission 1956-1958
April Commissioned
May Resumed North Borneo coastal
survey.
to Extensive use of
boats.
July Tide watching party
established at Mantanam Island and Rajang (Sarawak).
Earlier Mark
sited at Tawau by HMS MERLIN in 1910 found to have been
moved and had to
be reset,
Bench Mark
placed by HMS HERALD not found and datum remade by transfer from
Jesselton.<
