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)