BRIDGEWATER-Class
Escort Sloop ordered from Hawthorne
Leslie, Newcastle
on 19th September
1927
under the
1927 Build Programme with sister
ship HMS SANDWICH as replacements for
the FLOWER Class built during WW1. The
ship was laid down on 9th February 1928
and launched without
ceremony
on 29th
September that year. She was the 6th
major RN warship to bear this name,
introduced in 1679 for a 2nd Rate,
possibly after Edward Montague, first
Earl
of Sandwich (1625 –72). This ex soldier
later became a
general-at-sea and was killed at
the
Battle of Solebay.
It was also used for four minor
auxiliary warships. The last
use was for a hired Lugger
taken out of service in
1814. On completion
of build on 23rd March 1929 this Sloop
was immediately deployed on the China
Station and did not return to UK until
after the outbreak of
WW2. In March 1942 she was, most
appropriately, adopted by the civil
community of Sandwich, Kent after a
successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings
campaign.
B
a t t l
e H o n o u r s
BEACHY
HEAD 1690 - BARFLEUR 1692 - BELLEISLE
1761 - USHANT 1778 - ST VINCENT 1780 -
ATLANTIC 1939-44 - NORTH AFRICA 1942
H
e r a l d i c
D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Party per fess Red and Blue,
a
demi-lion, Gold
conjoined
with a ship's stern Silver.
M
o t t o
Fronte
leonis: 'With a lion’s face'
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 3 9
September
Deployed at Hong Kong
(Note: The ship had re-commissioned in
Hong Kong on 21st March 1939 for further
service on
the China Station.).
Took up war station in Straits of
Tsushima, Japan to intercept German
mercantiles on passage
in
the
area.
Nominated for refit prior to future
deployment as an anti-submarine convoy
escort.
October
On completion of refit work resumed
interception patrol off Japan
Recalled to Hong Kong for return to UK for convoy
defence in Home waters.
November
Passage to Mediterranean with calls at
Singapore,
Colombo and Aden.
Transit of Suez Canal
December
Passage to Gibraltar.
18th
Sailed from Gibraltar with HM Destroyer
DOUGLAS and two French destroyers as
escort for
inward Convoy HG11 during passage to UK.
19th
Remained with HG11 when HMS DOUGLAS
detached.
24th
Detached from HG11 in SW Approaches and
took passage to Plymouth
25th
At Devonport for Leave and preparation
for convoy defence duties in Western
Approaches
Command.
(Note: This ship had not returned to UK
since completion.)
1 9 4 0
January
On completion of dockyard work and
work-up nominated for escort of outbound
Convoy
OG16F
during initial stage of passage to
Gibraltar
28th
Joined HM Destroyers VELOX and WISHART
for escort for outbound Convoy OG16F
during
initial stage of passage to Gibraltar in
SW Approaches
31st
Detached from OG16F and joined HM
Destroyer WOLSEY and HM Sloop LOWESTOFT
in
escort for inward convoy HG17F from
Gibraltar during passage in SW
Approaches.
February
5th
Detached from HG17F and returned to
Plymouth
Deployed for local escort duties.
28th
Deployed with HM Destroyers VANOC, VELOX
and WHIRLWIND to join inward Convoy
HG20F from Gibraltar as relief for two French destroyers.
(Note: HMS VANOC and HMS WHIRLWIND
detached later.)
March
3rd
Detached with HMS VELOX and took passage
to return to Plymouth.
5th
Deployed with HM Destroyers VOLUNTEER,
WHIRLWIND and HM Sloop ENCHANTRESS
as escort for outbound Convoy OG21F
during passage to Gibraltar..
8th
Remained with OG21F as escort when HMS
VOLUNTEER and WHIRLWIND detached.
9th
HM Destroyer DOUGLAS joined OG21F
escort.
11th
Detached from escort for OG21F with HMS
DOUGLAS and HMS ENCHANTRESS on arrival
at Gibraltar.
28th
Joined inward Convoy HG24 at Gibraltar with HM Sloop ENCHANTRESS as escort for passage
to Liverpool.
(For details of naval activities in Home
waters during the period September 1938
to April 1940
see the Naval Staff History and HITLER'S
U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)
April
4th
HM Destroyer WAKEFUL joined escort for
HG24.
7th
HM Destroyer VENETIA joined escort for
HG24.
Detached from HG 24 with escort on
arrival at Liverpool.
Transferred to Liverpool Escort Group.
(Note: Headquarters of Western
Approaches Command transferred from
Plymouth to Liverpool.)
May
Escort of convoys in OG and HG series in
continuation.
Pennant Number for visual signalling
purposes changed to U12.
17th
Transferred to escort of convoys in NW
Approaches
24th
Deployed as part of escort of Convoy
OB154 during outward passage to Canada
in NW Approaches.
June
Convoy escort in NW Approaches in
continuation.
July
Transferred to Rosyth for escort of
convoys between Forth and Clyde.
to
September
October
1st
Part of escort for Convoy OA223 from
Methil to dispersal point in NW
Approaches.
5th
Detached from OA223 on dispersal and
took independent passage to Sydney, CB
15th
Joined Convoy SC8 at Sydney as part of
escort during passage to Liverpool.
31st
Detached from escort of SC8 on arrival
in Liverpool.
November
North Atlantic convoy escort in
continuation based in Liverpool.
23rd
Rescued survivors from mercantiles KING
IDWAL and ANTEN.
(Note: KING IDWAL had been escorted with
Convoy OB244 which dispersed on 22nd
and was sunk as an independent on 23rd
by U123.
ANTEN is not recorded as a British
mercantile and may have been sunk as an
independent from OB244.)
December
Nominated for refit in commercial
shipyard at Tilbury, Essex,
Passage to Thames estuary from Liverpool
and taken in hand on arrival at Tilbury.
1 9 4 1
January
Under refit
to
March
April
On completion of refit carried out
work-up prior to resuming service at
Liverpool.
15th
Joined Convoy OG59 as part of escort
during passage from Liverpool to Gibraltar.
28th
Detached from OG59 on arrival at
Gibraltar.
(Note: This convoy arrived without
loss.)
May
6th
Sailed from Gibraltar as part of escort
for Convoy HG61 during passage to
Liverpool
19th
Convoy under attack off Bloody Foreland
during which mercantile EMPIRE RIDGE
was sunk by U96
20th
Detached from escort on arrival of HG61
at Liverpool.
June
Resumed duties for defence of convoys in
NW Approaches
to
July
Transferred to escort of convoys to and
from West Africa.
August
3rd
Joined Convoy OS2 at Liverpool as part of escort during passage to
Freetown/
22nd
Detached from OS2 with escort on arrival
at Freetown without loss.
25th
Part of escort for return convoy SL85
during passage to Liverpool (to be confirmed)
September
15th
Under air attack in NW Approaches during
which ss DARU was sunk
17th
Detached from SL85 on arrival at
Liverpool.
October
Deployed with 43rd Escort Group for
convoy defence to and from Freetown.
to
December
Nominated for refit at commercial
shipyard in Belfast
1 9 4 2
January
Under refit during which ship’s company
were exchanged
to
March
(Note: During this refit Radar Type 271
was fitted for detection of surface
craft and land.
For details of development and use of
radar in RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)
April
Resumed convoy escort duties with 43rd
Escort Group at Liverpool after post
refit trials
and work-up at Tobermory for operational
service.
(Note: Other ships in Group were HM
Frigate ERNE and HM Sloop ROCHESTER.)
May
Freetown route deployment in
continuation
to
June
July
21st
Joined outbound Convoy SL35 with HMS
ERNE and HMS ROCHESTER as escort for
passage
to Freetown.
31st
Under attack by U213 south of the
Azores.
Submarine located ahead of convoy and
sunk by ships of Group in depth charge
attacks.
There were no survivors. See above
reference and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P
Kemp.
(Note: For details of U-Boat deployments
see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC
(HMSO) and above reference. For
information about tactics and weapons
used for
defence of convoys see SEEK AND STRIKE
by
W Hackmann.)
August
10th
Detached from OS35 on arrival
14th
Joined as SL119 with ships of Group as
escort during passage to Liverpool.
28th
Under submarine attack during which two
mercantiles were sunk
September
4th
Detached from SL119 on arrival at
Liverpool.
Took passage to Belfast for refit.
October
Under refit in Belfast during which 20mm
Oerlikon guns were fitted to improve
defence against air attacks.
Nominated for escort duties in support
of planned allied landings in North
Africa
(Operation TORCH - For details see Naval
Staff History.)
26th
Joined escort for military convoy KMS2
for defence during passage to Gibraltar.
November
10th
Detached from KMS2 on arrival at
Gibraltar and deployed for local escort of convoys
in western Mediterranean for support of
allied landings.
December
Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
1 9 4 3
January
Convoy escort duties based at Gibraltar in continuation.
Nominated for return to UK and to be
refitted
February
Taken in hand for refit at Tyne
commercial shipyard
March
Under refit
to
June
Nominated for service with 38th Escort
Group .
July
Post refit harbour and sea trials.
August
On completion of trials and work-up
joined Group for operational service.
(Note: Other ships in Group were:
HM Frigate FAL, HM Sloops ENCHANTRESS,
BIDEFORD, LEITH,
HM Corvettes ANCHUSA, COLUMBINE,
COREOPSIS and VIOLET.)
September
Passage to Freetown for local escort
duties.
(Note: If part of escort for Convoy
OS54, this sailed from Liverpool on 27th August
and arrived at Freetown on 17th
September. To be confirmed)
Based at Freetown and deployed for
escort of convoys to and from Gibraltar.
23rd
Part of escort for Convoy SL137 during
passage to join Convoy MKS26 for joint
passage to Liverpool.)
October
5th
Passage to Freetown to resume local
duties on release from SL137/MKS26
Deployed at Freetown for convoy defence.
November
Freetown deployment in continuation
to
December
1 9 4 4
January
Deployed at Freetown for local escort
and for OS and SL series between
Freetown
to
May
and Gibraltar.
Condition of hull and machinery required
survey and refit
June
At Gibraltar pending decision relating to refit
Refit arranged at Brindisi and took
passage from Gibraltar.
July
Under refit at Brindisi.
to
October
November
Passage to Gibraltar for completion of work.
to
December
Under survey and awaiting decision for
future deployment
1 9 4 5
January
Paid off and placed in care and
maintenance.
(Note: It may be presumed that this was
due to age of ship and deterioration
after significant use since 1939.)
February
Passage to Bizerta to be laid-up.
(Note: Passage under tow to be
confirmed.)
March
Laid-up at Bizerta.
to
August
P
o s t W a r
N o t e s
HMS
SANDWICH remained at
Bizerta after VJ Day and was placed on the
Disposal List. She was sold locally
for £3,050 and intended to be
converted for use as a mercantile. This
intention was later abandoned,
presumably in view of her state and she
was
demolished.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
SANDWICH
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
16/12/39
|
16/12/39
|
HG
011
|
24/12/39
|
24/12/39
|
26/01/40
|
26/01/40
|
OG
016F
|
31/01/40
|
01/02/40
|
29/01/40
|
31/01/40
|
HG
017F
|
05/02/40
|
07/02/40
|
05/02/40
|
17/02/40
|
SL
019F
|
20/02/40
|
20/02/40
|
24/02/40
|
26/02/40
|
OA
098GF
|
27/02/40
|
27/02/40
|
22/02/40
|
28/02/40
|
HG
020F
|
03/03/40
|
03/03/40
|
05/03/40
|
05/03/40
|
OG
021F
|
11/03/40
|
11/03/40
|
28/03/40
|
28/03/40
|
HG
024
|
07/04/40
|
07/04/40
|
14/04/40
|
14/04/40
|
OG
026F
|
20/04/40
|
20/04/40
|
07/05/40
|
07/05/40
|
HG
029
|
17/05/40
|
17/05/40
|
24/05/40
|
24/05/40
|
OB
154
|
27/05/40
|
28/05/40
|
16/05/40
|
27/05/40
|
HX
043
|
30/05/40
|
31/05/40
|
01/06/40
|
01/06/40
|
OB
159
|
04/06/40
|
04/06/40
|
24/05/40
|
05/06/40
|
HX
045
|
07/06/40
|
08/06/40
|
09/06/40
|
09/06/40
|
OB
164
|
12/06/40
|
12/06/40
|
02/06/40
|
14/06/40
|
HX
047
|
17/06/40
|
17/06/40
|
17/06/40
|
17/06/40
|
OB
169
|
20/06/40
|
22/06/40
|
09/06/40
|
20/06/40
|
HX
049
|
24/06/40
|
24/06/40
|
25/06/40
|
25/06/40
|
OB
174
|
28/06/40
|
28/06/40
|
16/06/40
|
29/06/40
|
HX
051
|
02/07/40
|
02/07/40
|
07/07/40
|
07/07/40
|
OB
180
|
10/07/40
|
10/07/40
|
29/06/40
|
11/07/40
|
HX
054
|
14/07/40
|
14/07/40
|
17/07/40
|
17/07/40
|
OA
186
|
21/07/40
|
21/07/40
|
11/07/40
|
23/07/40
|
HX
057
|
26/07/40
|
26/07/40
|
30/07/40
|
30/07/40
|
OA
192
|
03/08/40
|
03/08/40
|
23/07/40
|
04/08/40
|
HX
060
|
07/08/40
|
07/08/40
|
15/08/40
|
15/08/40
|
OA
199
|
19/08/40
|
unknown
|
08/08/40
|
20/08/40
|
HX
064
|
23/08/40
|
23/08/40
|
29/08/40
|
29/08/40
|
OA
206
|
03/09/40
|
unknown
|
18/08/40
|
03/09/40
|
SL
044
|
07/09/40
|
07/09/40
|
14/09/40
|
14/09/40
|
OA
214
|
19/09/40
|
unknown
|
02/10/40
|
02/10/40
|
OA
223
|
06/10/40
|
unknown
|
15/10/40
|
15/10/40
|
SC
008
|
31/10/40
|
31/10/40
|
17/11/40
|
17/11/40
|
OB
244
|
22/11/40
|
22/11/40
|
04/12/40
|
04/12/40
|
OB
254
|
07/12/40
|
08/12/40
|
15/04/41
|
15/04/41
|
OG
059
|
28/04/41
|
28/04/41
|
06/05/41
|
06/05/41
|
HG
061
|
20/05/41
|
20/05/41
|
08/06/41
|
10/06/41
|
OB
332
|
19/06/41
|
23/06/41
|
20/06/41
|
24/06/41
|
HX
134
|
04/07/41
|
09/07/41
|
30/06/41
|
13/07/41
|
HX
136
|
unknown
|
18/07/41
|
01/07/41
|
13/07/41
|
SC
036
|
17/07/41
|
19/07/41
|
03/08/41
|
04/08/41
|
OS
002
|
19/08/41
|
22/08/41
|
25/08/41
|
28/08/41
|
SL
085
|
11/09/41
|
17/09/41
|
02/09/41
|
11/09/41
|
HG
072
|
17/09/41
|
17/09/41
|
03/10/41
|
04/10/41
|
OS
008
|
20/10/41
|
26/10/41
|
27/10/41
|
27/10/41
|
SL
091
|
08/11/41
|
08/11/41
|
08/11/41
|
08/11/41
|
SL
091G1
|
12/11/41
|
12/11/41
|
12/11/41
|
12/11/41
|
SL
091GS
|
19/11/41
|
19/11/41
|
30/11/41
|
01/12/41
|
OS
013
|
18/12/41
|
20/12/41
|
26/12/41
|
28/12/41
|
SL
096
|
13/01/42
|
13/01/42
|
24/03/42
|
25/03/42
|
OS
023
|
11/04/42
|
11/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
SL
107
|
05/05/42
|
07/05/42
|
22/05/42
|
22/05/42
|
OS
029
|
10/06/42
|
11/06/42
|
15/06/42
|
15/06/42
|
SL
113
|
29/06/42
|
05/07/42
|
21/07/42
|
25/07/42
|
OS
035
|
12/08/42
|
10/08/42
|
14/08/42
|
14/08/42
|
SL
119
|
05/09/42
|
04/09/42
|
19/09/42
|
20/09/42
|
OS
041
|
01/10/42
|
01/10/42
|
23/09/42
|
04/10/42
|
SL
123
|
10/10/42
|
14/10/42
|
25/10/42
|
26/10/42
|
KMS
002G
|
12/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
28/11/42
|
28/11/42
|
TE
007
|
unknown
|
03/12/42
|
30/12/42
|
30/12/42
|
GUF
003
|
01/01/43
|
13/01/43
|
01/01/43
|
05/01/43
|
CF
010A
|
08/01/43
|
08/01/43
|
18/01/43
|
18/01/43
|
GUS
003
|
19/01/43
|
07/02/43
|
07/02/43
|
08/02/43
|
MKS
007
|
17/02/43
|
17/02/43
|
31/08/43
|
31/08/43
|
ST
075
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
08/09/43
|
08/09/43
|
LTS
001
|
15/09/43
|
15/09/43
|
10/09/43
|
10/09/43
|
STL
001
|
15/09/43
|
15/09/43
|
23/09/43
|
23/09/43
|
SL
137
|
05/10/43
|
05/10/43
|
05/10/43
|
05/10/43
|
SL
137MK
|
17/10/43
|
17/10/43
|
27/10/43
|
31/10/43
|
OS
057KM
|
09/11/43
|
09/11/43
|
09/11/43
|
09/11/43
|
OS
057
|
18/11/43
|
19/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
23/11/43
|
SL
141
|
04/12/43
|
04/12/43
|
19/12/43
|
19/12/43
|
OS
061
|
29/12/43
|
29/12/43
|
01/01/44
|
01/01/44
|
SL
145
|
12/01/44
|
12/01/44
|
26/01/44
|
26/01/44
|
OS
065
|
06/02/44
|
06/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
11/02/44
|
SL
149
|
22/02/44
|
22/02/44
|
05/03/44
|
05/03/44
|
OS
069
|
15/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
22/03/44
|
22/03/44
|
SL
153
|
02/04/44
|
02/04/44
|
16/04/44
|
16/04/44
|
OS
073
|
25/04/44
|
25/04/44
|
01/05/44
|
01/05/44
|
SL
157
|
10/05/44
|
11/05/44
|
23/05/44
|
23/05/44
|
OS
077
|
02/06/44
|
02/06/44
|
11/06/44
|
11/06/44
|
SL
161
|
22/06/44
|
21/06/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)