CASTLE-Class Frigate
ordered from Lewis Shipbuilders, Aberdeen on 19th December 1942 and laid down
on 26th August 1943. The ship was launched on 22nd May 1944 and was the 1st RN ship to bear this name. Build was
completed on 29th September 1944. She was not adopted by a civil community in UK in 1941-42 following a National Savings WARSHIP
WEEK campaign.
B a t t l e H
o n o u r s
NORTH SEA 1945
H e r a l d i c
D a t a
Badge: On a Field barry wavy
of five White and Blue, in front
of a
cross crosslet Gold, an eagle displayed Red.
Explanation: The castle was built about 1440 by Sir
John Fastolf (f).
The famous Paston family
also lived there. The Badge is based on
the arms
of Fastolf and Paston.
S u m m a r y 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
September Commissioned for service in
Western Approaches Command.
29th Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials.
(Note: For
details of new HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine weapon
see SEEK AND
STRIKE by W Hackmann.).
October On completion of trials and
storing took passage to Tobermory to work-up for
operational service.
November Joined 30th Escort Group for
Atlantic convoy defence.
(Note: Other
escorts in this Group were sister ships:
HMS PEVENSEY CASTLE (SO) (completed June 1944)
HMS
PORTCHESTER CASTLE (completed August 1943)
HMS KENILWORTH CASTLE (completed November
1943).)
Did not take part in anti-submarine operations with Group on
11th
November when submarine U1200 was sunk by
SQUID projectiles in series of attacks by Group.
For details see HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair and
U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
December Deployed with Group for
defence of Atlantic convoys.
(For details
of weapons and tactics used by U-Boats and by Escort and Support Groups
see the THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre. BUSINESS
IN GREAT
WATERS by J Terrain and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (MOD).)
Atlantic convoy defence and
anti-submarine search duties in Western
Approaches.
1 9 4 5
January Deployed with Group for
anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence
to
of coastal convoys around UK.
February (Note: German submarines
fitted with Schnorkel equipment were being extensively
deployed to attack coastal traffic which included Atlantic traffic re-routed
through English
Channel following removal of
air threat from French bases.
For details of German
submarine activities in UK coastal
waters. see above references and
ENGAGE THE ENEMY)
MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
March Transferred to North Sea for convoy defence and patrol for the
to interception of
minelaying operations by submersibles and E-Boats.
April (Note: Battle Honour NORTH SEA indicates some action against
enemy craft. This requires investigation.)
May After VE Day deployed
with Home Fleet to take part in transfer of
surrendered U-Boats in Norway.
25th Deployed with HM Cruiser
BERWICK, HM Canadian Destroyers
HAIDA, HURON and ships of 30th Escort Group at Trondheim.
June Deployed for escort
of captured submarines and support of
to re-occupation
operations.
August Visited Home ports as part
of Victory celebrations.
September Deployed in Home waters for
training and Port duties.
1 9 4 6
Paid-off and
reduced to Reserve status after de-storing.
Laid-up in Reserve Fleet at Plymouth.
1 9 4 7 t
o 1 9 4 8
Laid-up in
Reserve at Plymouth
1 9 4 9
Underwent
refit at Cardiff to ensure ready availability if
required for service.
Carried out
sea trials on completion and returned to Reserve
1 9 5 0
Laid-up in Reserve.
1 9 5 1
Taken in
hand for further refit at Falmouth
to ensure availability
For service at short notice.
Carried out
sea trials on completion before return to Reserve.
1 9 5 2
Laid-up in
Reserve
Nominated
for service in 2nd Training Squadron at Portland
(Note: Other
ships of this Class were also deployed at Portland with
this Squadron which was primarily concerned with anti-submarine
training
1 9 5 3
January Brought forward for
service and commissioned.
February Joined Squadron at Portland
March Deployed at Portland
to May
June Attended
Coronation Review at Spithead.
July Squadron training
duties in continuation.
to December
1 9 5 4
Squadron
duties at Portland in continuation
Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.
1 9 5 5
Paid-off,
destored and reduced to Reserve status at Devonport
Laid-up in Reserve Fleet, Plymouth.
Placed on Disposal List.
1 9 5 6
Sold to
BISCO and allocated for demolition by Arnott Young.
Taken in Tow to Breaker’s yard at Dalmuir, Glasgow in March.
S p e c i a l N o t e
For details of naval
activities between August 1945 and December 1956 see THE DECLINE OF BRITISH
SEA POWER
by D Western.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
CAISTER CASTLE
by Don Kindell
These convoy lists have not been
cross-checked with the text above
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Date convoy sailed
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Joined convoy as escort
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Convoy No.
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Left convoy
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Date convoy arrived
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27/02/45
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28/02/45
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ONS 043
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28/02/45
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16/03/45
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02/03/45
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03/03/45
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ON 288
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05/03/45
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19/03/45
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07/04/45
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07/04/45
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EN 485
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09/04/45
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09/04/45
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28/04/45
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12/05/45
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SC 174
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13/05/45
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14/05/45
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(Note on Convoys)