1
9 4 2
November
30th
- Commissioned for service in Home Fleet.
December
12th
- Build completion and commenced Acceptance
trials.
1
9 4 3
January
Defects
found during Acceptance trials made good.
30th
- On completion took passage to Scapa Flow.
February
Sustained
significant structural damage in adverse
weather conditions
during work-up and took passage to build
shipyard for additional stiffening and
damage
repair.
March
Nominated
for passage to Canada for inspection by
Royal Canadian Navy
Constructors and shipyard representatives.
Sustained further structural
damage during passage to Halifax. Taken in
hand and docked for repair work and
inspections. (Note: The need for additional
stiffening in future warship construction
by Canadian shipyards was made evident
during the examinations.)
April
Took
return passage to UK for operational
service. Nominated for
service in Plymouth Command.
24th
- Sustained further weather damage.
On
arrival taken in hand for
repair by HM Dockyard Devonport.
May
Under
repair. On completion deployed for convoy
defence on UK-Gibraltar route.
June
Deployed
based at Plymouth for anti-submarine
operations in Bay of Biscay (Operation
MUSKETRY. Note: Ship was part of a Support
Group for these operations with HMCS
ATHABASKAN, and Polish destroyer ORP ORKAN
as screen for HM Escort Aircraft Carrier
ARCHER to provide cover against attacks by
German destroyers during MUSKETRY.
July
9th
- Deployed with HM Destroyer
DOUGLAS and HM Frigate MOYOLA as escort for
troopship convoy during passage
to Gibraltar. (Note: It may be
assumed that ship was detached from MUSKETRY
for this duty, or that she
detached from support duties for escort of
these ships.)
11th
- Under air attacks by He177 aircraft
using Hs293 Radio Controlled
bombs (but see following) which
hit ss CALIFORNIA and ss DUCHESS OF YORK in
position 41.18N 41.24W, 300 miles
of Vigo, Spain despite AA defence from the
escorts. Both ships ships sank
after extensive fires. A third ship mv PORT
NAPIER survived the attacks. Took part in
rescue of 628 men from the two troopships.
12th
- Passage to Casablanca with mv PORT FAIRY
which was damaged in
further air attacks.
Update on this Attack,
with thanks to Tim Gates, 4 Apr 2012:
The convoy, consisting of
the troopships SS DUCHESS OF YORK and SS
CALIFORNIA, plus the merchant vessel
MV PORT FAIRY, left the Clyde at
0800 hrs on July 8th 1943. At the Orsay
rendezvous they were joined by DOUGLAS and
MOYOLA. On the morning of the 10th July
IROQUOIS (ex Plymouth) joined the escort
350 miles SW of the Scillies.
All went well till the
evening of the 11th July when, 350
nautical miles W of Porto in Portugal
and commencing at 2110 hrs, the
convoy was attacked by three FW200 Condors
based at Merignac near Bordeaux. Only
conventional high-explosive bombs were
used in the attack which lasted 30
minutes. The story that He177
aircraft deploying Hs292
radio-controlled bombs were used in this
attack is supported by absolutely no
contemporary or other evidence but has
proved very persistent despite this.
All those who were there speak only of 3 x
FW200 aircraft. This is corroborated by
contemporary Luftwaffe records which have
been investigated by Chris Goss, a
serving RAF officer and well known
historian of wartime avaiation - I
could even tell you the names of the
German crew of the FW
aircraft that were involved.
Several hours after the attack,
CALIFORNIA and DUCHESS OF YORK, both
blazing fiercely, were sunk by torpedoes
fired by DOUGLAS. PORT FAIRY was unscathed
and headed for Casablanca (though she was
attacked next day - but that is another
story). Survivors from CALIFORNIA and
DUCHESS OF YORK were picked up by escort
vessels and taken to Casablanca where they
arrived on the morning of 13th July. At
the start of the air attack on the evening
of the 11th, Gibraltar dispatched HMS
SWALE to give help. She arrived on
the scene at 2235 hrs, ie after the attack
had finished, and was ordered to escort
PORT FAIRY to Casablaca after helping to
pick up survivors.
15th
- Rescued an officer and
five ratings, sole survivors from U506 which
had been sunk by US LIBERATOR
aircraft on 12th July. (Note: During return
passage to Plymouth an insignia from the
officers
uniform was stolen which resulted in
disciplinary action. Stoppage of shore leave
after
arrival caused significant disorder and the
commanding officer had a heart attack and
was taken ashore. See AFRIDI TO NIZAM by J
English and U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
Deployed
at Plymouth
19th
- Carried out support of anti-submarine
operations with Polish
destroyer ORP ORKAN and HMCS ATHABASKAN and
sailed from Plymouth for
anti-submarine operations after the disorder
problems resolved. (See above
Note.)
After
return transferred to Scapa Flow for Home
Fleet screening duties. Involved in
collision with HM Trawler KINGSTON BERYL in
Irish Sea during passage to Scapa Flow.
Repair
of damage arranged in commercial shipyard at
Troon, Ayrshire.
August
2nd
- Taken in hand for repair.
25th
- On completion resumed passage to rejoin
Home Fleet.
26th
- On arrival nominated for work-up prior to
deployment in defence
of Russian convoy.
September
Work-up
in continuation. On completion resumed
operational service with
Home Fleet for local escort and patrol
duties.
October
1st
- Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLAUGHT and
HURON (RCN) to take
replenishment stores and mail to North
Russia for warships which had been based
there during
summer months (Operation HOLDER).
11th
- Returned to Scapa Flow from Kola Inlet..
14th
- Joined HM Destroyers JANUS, VIGILANT,
HARDY, HAIDA (RCN) and US
destroyer USS CORRY as escort for HM
Battleship ANSON to provide cover for
replenishment of
Spitzbergen garrison (Home Fleet Operation
FQ).
16th
- On completion of FQ
provided cover for passage of five
minesweepers and six motor launches to North
Russia.
(Home Fleet Operation FR. Note: HM Cruiser
LONDON and US Cruiser AUGUSTA were also
deployed in covering force. These Lease Lend
warships were
destined for service with the Russian
Northern Fleet and manned by
Russian crews. Close Escort was provided by
nine Home Fleet destroyers.)
23rd
- Detached and returned to Scapa Flow.
November
Home
Fleet duties in continuation.
18th
- Deployed with HM Destroyers IMPULSIVE,
ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORWELL,
OBEDIENT HURON (RCN) and HAIDA (RCN) as
Ocean Escort for Convoy JW54A during
passage to Kola Inlet.
19th
- HMS OBEDIENT withdrawn from Close Escort
due to defect and
returned to Scapa Flow.
24th
- Detached from JW54A with Close Escort on
arrival.
26th
- Joined return Convoy RA54B with same ships
as Close Escort for
passage to UK. (Note: For details of all
Russian Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO
RUSSIA by R. A. Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS
by B Schoefield, ARCTIC CONVOYS by
R. Woodman and CONVOY! by R Woodman.)
December
5th
- Detached from RA54B and returned to Scapa
Flow with Close Escort.
22nd
- Deployed with HM Destroyers IMPULSIVE,
ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORWELL,
SCOURGE, HMCS HURON and HMCS HAIDA as escort
for Russian Convoy JW55 during
passage to Kola Inlet.
25th
- Close Escort reinforced by HM Destroyers
MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER,
OPPORTUNE and VIRAGO in view of the threat
of attack by German Battleship SCHARNHORST.
See
above references. (Note: German warship was
engaged and sunk by ships of Home Fleet
providing cover for passage of this convoy
and two others in the Arctic.)
Under
sustained
attacks by aircraft and submarines
29th
- Detached with ships of Close Escort on
arrival of JW55B at Kola
inlet.
31st
- Deployed as Close Escort for passage of
return Convoy RA55B to UK
with same ships.
1
9 4 4
January
3rd
- Under submarine attacks.
7th
- Detached from RA55B with Close Escort and
returned to Scapa Flow.
10th
- Transferred with HMCS HAIDA for detached
service and took passage
to Plymouth to join Plymouth Command for
duty in English Channel.
13th
- Deployed at Plymouth.
19th
- Carried out patrol off French coast for
interception of coastal
convoy traffic (Operation TUNNEL Series.)
20th
- Returned to Plymouth.
February
Nominated
for return to Canada for refit.
2nd
- Carried out further TUNNEL Operation.
3rd
- Returned to Plymouth.
4th
- Recalled for duty in Home Fleet and took
passage to Scapa Flow
with sister ships HMCS HAIDA and HMCS
ATHABASKAN.
5th
- Arrived at Scapa Flow for Home Fleet
screening duties.
10th
- Deployed with HMCS HAIDA and HMCS
ATHABASKAN as part of destroyer
screen for HM Battleship ANSON and French
battleship RICHELIEU, HM Cruisers BELFAST
and HMS NIGERIA during anti-shipping strike
off Norwegian coast (Operation POST HORN)
12th
- Returned to Scapa Flow after only
secondary shore targets had
been attacked by aircraft.
13th
- Released from Home Fleet duties and
returned to Plymouth
15th
- On arrival at Plymouth joined HM
Destroyers TARTAR and HMS
ASHANTI of 10th Destroyer Flotilla with HMCS
HAIDA and HMCS ATHABASKAN. (Note: This
Flotilla was deployed as Force 26.)
18th
- Under torpedo attack by submarine which
was avoided by prompt
action after sonar detection.
19th
- On return to Plymouth replaced by HMCS
HURON in
Flotilla and took passage to Canada
26th
- Arrived at Halifax and taken in hand for
refit.
March
to May
Under
refit (Note: Lattice foremast was fitted to
replace original tripod type for
installation of aerial outfit for new radar
installation of new radar on
return to UK before resuming service.)
June
On
completion of Post Refit Trials took passage
to Liverpool for fit of
centimetric warning radar outfit. (Note:
This was probably Type 276, later changed to
Type 293 when new aerial was available. Ship
did not therefore take part
in support operations during allied landings
in Normandy. See LANDINGS
IN NORMANDY (HMSO).)
8th
- Arrived at Liverpool and taken in hand for
fit of radar.
30th
- On completion sailed from Liverpool to
Scapa Flow.
July
Deployed
at Scapa Flow for trials.
17th
- Commenced work-up for operational service
with Home Fleet ships
at Scapa Flow.
30th
- Took passage to Plymouth to rejoin 10th
Destroyer Flotilla for
patrol duties in Bay of Biscay and Channel.
August
5th
- Deployed with HM Cruiser BELLONA, HMS
TARTAR, HMS ASHANTI and HMCS
HAIDA for interception patrol in Bay of
Biscay as Force 26.
6th
- Intercepted evacuation convoy with several
escorts near Ile d'Yeux. (Note: In
this
action German minesweepers M286 and M486,
Patrol Boat V414 and a launch were
sunk. Many hundreds of soldiers being
evacuated lost their lives. Whilst taking
part in this engagement there was an
accident in HMCS HAIDA but despite this
serious incident that ship remained with
Force 26.) Took part in an attack on a
second convoy between Bellisle and Quiberon
Bay the result of which was
inconclusive. Force 26 ordered to withdraw
before daylight and return to Plymouth
8th
- Flotilla deployment for interception
operations in continuation.
14th
- Deployed with HM Cruiser MAURITIUS and HM
Destroyer URSA for
offensive patrol off coast of Brittany as
Force 27.
15th
- Carried out attack on convoy off Sables
d'Olonne with ships of
Force during which German Minesweeper M385
was hit and became a total loss after
being beached. A Sperrbrecher (157), Torpedo
Boat T24, Minesweeper
M275 and a coaster were also damaged. (Note:
The enemy ships included
an aircraft repair Ship (RICHTOFEN).). Took
passage to Plymouth after
the action.
23rd
- During later patrol off Audierne with same
ships carried out
attack on coastal convoy sinking patrol
boats V702, V717, V720, V729 and V730 (Note:
These
ships were identified by post-war analysis.)
30th
- Deployed with HMCS HAIDA for escort of
French cruiser JEANNE D
ARC for passage in SW Approaches from
Algiers to Cherbourg.
31st
- Met JEANNE D ARC which had members of the
French Provisional
Government on board and escorted ship to her
destination.
September
5th
- Arrived at Cherbourg with French cruiser
8th
- Deployed as escort for rms QUEEN MARY
taking Prime Minister to
Quebec Conference with US President during
Atlantic passage. (Note: Detached later near
Azores and returned to Plymouth for routine
Boiler Cleaning.)
On
completion
resumed Channel duties based at Plymouth.
October
Transferred
to Scapa Flow for Home Fleet screening
duties.
November
to December
Resumed
service in Channel based at Plymouth for
interception patrols
and convoy escort.
1
9 4 5
January
to February
Western
Approaches duties in continuation.
March
Rejoined
Flotilla for Home Fleet duties.
19th
- Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLOW,
SERAPIS, ZEST and HAIDA (RCN) as screen for
HM Escort Aircraft Carriers PREMIER,
SEARCHER, QUEEN and HM Cruiser
BELLONA deployed as Force 1 to cover air
minelaying off the coast of Norway
(Operation CUPOLA – See Naval Staff History
(Mining).)
21st
- Returned to Scapa Flow with ships of Force
1 on completion.
24th
- Joined HM Destroyers ONSLOW, SERAPIS,
CARYSFORT, ZEALOUS and HAIDA (RCN) as
screen for HM Escort Aircraft Carriers
SEARCHER, NAIRANA, QUEEN and
PUNCHER deployed as Force Two for air
strikes on shipping off the coast of Norway
(Operation PREFIX I).
26th
- In absence of shipping aircraft carried
out attacks on shore
targets.
28th
- Attacks made on shipping by carrier
aircraft which destroyed two
Me109 for the loss of a BARRACUDA from HMS
PUNCHER (Operation PREFIX II).
29th
- Returned to Scapa Flow with ships of Force
Two.
April
Home
Fleet deployment with Flotilla in
continuation.
3rd
- Deployed with HM Destroyers ZEALOUS and
ZEST as screen for HM
Cruiser DIDO for attacks on Norwegian coast
shipping and identified as Force 3
(Operation
FOX CHASE).
4th
- Took part in attacks on convoy with ships
of Force. (Note: Some
sources describe result as indeterminate but
post war records suggest two of the
mercantiles were damaged.)
15th
- Deployed with HM Destroyers ZEPHYR,
ZODIAC, ZEALOUS, ZEST, OFFA HURON (RCN),
HAIDA
(RCN) and Norwegian destroyer STORD as
escort for JW66 with HM Cruiser
BELLONA, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers VINDEX
and NAIRANA. In addition, HM Sloop
CYGNET, HM Corvettes ALNWICK CASTLE,
BAMBOROUGH CASTLE, FARNHAM CASTLE,
HONEYSUCKLE, LOTUS and OXLIP of 7th Escort
Group were also part of
Close escort with Frigates of 19th Support
Group in support for anti--submarine
operations.
25th
- Detached from JW66 with Close Escort on
arrival at Kola Inlet. (Note: Ships
of escort carried out anti-submarine attacks
in entrance to Kola Inlet to
ensure safety of convoy.)
29th
- Joined return convoy RA66 on departure
from Kola Inlet. (Note: During
anti-submarine operations outside Kola Inlet
before departure of RA66, U 307 and U286
were
sunk by ships of 19th Support Group, but HM
Frigate GOODALL was torpedoed
and sunk by U968, although some survivors
were rescued. See above references for
details.
After
departure came under torpedo attack by U427
which missed. (See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR, Vol
II by C Blair.)
May
Nominated
for return to Canada on release from service
with RN.
8th
- Detached from RA66 on arrival in Clyde and
returned to Scapa Flow
with Home Fleet ships.
12th
- Joined HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, ARIADNE and
APOLLO with HM
Destroyers SAVAGE, SCOURGE AND Norwegian
ARENDAL as escort during passage to Oslo.
(Note: Crown
Prince Olaf of Norway was embarked in HMS
APOLLO for his return to Norway.)
13th
- Arrived in Oslo with same ships and took
passage to Copenhagen
with HMS DEVONSHIRE and HMS SAVAGE to
relieve HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM, HM
Destroyers ZEST and ZEPHYR as Guardships
following German surrender.
14th
- At Copenhagen.
24th
- Passage
from Copenhagen to Wilhemshaven with HM
Cruiser DIDO, HMS DEVONSHIRE and HMS SAVAGE
as
escort for German cruisers PRINZ EUGEN and
NURNBERG. (Note: The two German ships had
formally surrendered to the Royal Navy on
22nd May.)
26th
- At Wilhemshaven.
30th
- Passage to Greenock to join HMCS HAIDA and
HMS HURON
June
At
Greenock preparing for return to Canada.
4th
- Took passage from Greenock for Halifax
with her two sister ships.
10th
- Arrived at Halifax to a resounding
welcome.
July
Under
refit including tropicalisation to suit
service in the Pacific.
August
After
VJ Day ship was nominated for reduction to
Reserve status.