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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2003

HNorMS SVENNER (G 03), ex-HMS SHARK -  S-class Destroyer

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Saumarez, sister-ship  (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

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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

 

(for more ship information,  go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search

 

 

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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revised 10/6/11
further editing is required


 

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