S or SAVAGE-Class Destroyer,
HMS SHARK was ordered from Scott's of Greenock with 5th Emergency
Flotilla on 9th January 1941. The ship was laid down on 5th November 1941 and launched on 1st June 1943 and was the 13th ship to bear this name, previously
used by a submarine lost in 1940. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National
Savings campaign in March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of
Cannock Urban District. Before completion of build on 11th March 1944 she was
transferred on loan to the Royal Norwegian Navy and renamed HM Norwegian Ship SVENNER.
B a t
t l e H o n o u r s a s H M S S H A R K
CRIMEA 1854
- JUTLAND
1916 - NORTH SEA 1940
H e r
a l d i c D a t a
On a Field: Blue a shark
silver.
M o t t o
Celer et tenax: 'Swift and
tenacious'
D e t a i l s o f
W
a r S e r v i c e a s
H N o r M S
S V E
N N E R
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1 9 4 4
March
8th - Transferred
to Royal Norwegian Navy and renamed SVENNER.
Commissioned
for service in 23rd Destroyer Flotilla
11th - Completion
of build and commenced Acceptance Trials passage
to Scapa Flow to work up for operational service with ships of Home Fleet.
April
Joined
Flotilla for Home Fleet duties. Nominated
for duty in Force S for support of allied landings in Normandy. (Operation
NEPTUNE - for details see Landings in NORMANDY June
1944 (HMSO and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser).
Joined Force S and to provide naval gunfire support during assault on SWORD
Beach. Selected target was beach defences at Cabourg.
May
2nd - Took part
in final rehearsal for Operation in English Channel. (Exercise FABIUS).
4th - Took part
with ships of Force S in Assault landing exercised west of Littlehampton.
18th - Took
part in Combined defence exercise by Forces S, J and
G off Brighton. Attacks by aircraft, minelayers,
E-Boats and submersibles were simulated. On
completion took passage to assembly area at Portsmouth.
June
5th
- Escorted HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, DRAGON, DANAE, FROBISHER, HM Monitor ROBERTS and 40th Minesweeping Flotilla from Portsmouth
to SWORD Beachhead with HM Frigates ROWLEY and HOLMES.
6th - Arrived
off SWORD Beach and whilst waiting for minesweepers to provide swept channel for bombardment ships came under attack by
three E-Boats. Hit by torpedoed amidships under
boiler room at 0530. Back broken by explosion which lifted ship.
Most of the crew which included some RN ratings were
rescued.
No Convoy Escort Movements Reported
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