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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2005

HMS FLEETWOOD (L 47) - Grimsby-class Sloop including Convoy Escort Movements  

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Fleetwood  (Photo Ships, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List 

 

GRIMSBY-Class Sloop ordered under the 1934 Programme from HM Dockyard Devonport on 1st March 1935 with HM Sloop ABERDEEN. The ship was laid down on 14th August 1935  and was launched on 24th March 1936 by Lady Plunkett Ernle-Ernle-Drax. This name was used by a Royalist Ship, captured in 1653 and renamed HMS WEXFORD. The last ship to use the name was a WW1 minesweeper which was renamed HMS FORD in 1918. Build was completed on 19th November 1936 and manned by the Portsmouth manning depot. This Sloop was selected as trials ship for the new dual-purpose 4in mounting to be used for future builds of this type of escort.  On completion of trials in November 1937 she refitted before being deployed for foreign service in the Red Sea. The ship returned to UK after the outbreak of WW2 so that her improved AA armament could be used for convoy defence in Home Waters.  Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign during March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Wells, Somerset.

 

B a t t le   H o n o u r s

NORWAY 1940 - ATLANTIC 1940-44 - NORTH AFRICA 1942-43 -MEDITERRANEAN 1944 - ENGLISH CHANNEL 1945

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Blue a martlet Gold.

 

M o t t o

' Onward'

 

 

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 in Red Sea based at Aden.

                3rd          Passage to Port Said for contraband control duties in Mediterranean.

 

October                  Mediterranean deployment in continuation.

                                Recalled to Hone waters for convoy defence and took passage to Portland.

                11th        Arrived at Portland and transferred for convoy escort duty in North Sea.

 

November              Under refit in Dundee.

 

December

                21st         On completion resumed escort of East Coast convoys between Methil and Southend.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  North Sea convoy defence duties in continuation.

to

March

 

April

                21st         Transferred to Home Fleet for AA defence duties in Norwegian waters with units deployed

                                in support of allied military operations. To be deployed as AA Guardship at Namsos and

                                Andalsnes. Passage with HM Sloop PELICAN.

                22nd       Detached from HMS PELICAN and took passage to Andalsnes. Rejoined damaged HMS

                                PELICAN and established tow. (Note: HMS PELICAN was hit aft by a bomb whilst on

                                passage to Namsos and stern structure demolished.)

                23rd        Towed damaged Sloop HMS PELICAN to Lerwick.

                28th        Return passage to Andalsnes for AA Guardship duties in place of HMS BLACK SWAN.

                29th        Under aitr attacks at Andalsnes.

                30th        Relieved as Guardship by HM Sloop AUCKLAND,

                                Embarked 340 personnel for evacuation and took passage to UK

 

May

                1st           Passengers disembarked on arrival.

                                Replenished ammunition.

                2nd         Passage to resume AA Guardship duties.

11th        Deployed with HM Cruisers ENTERPRISE,

                                CAIRO, HM Destroyer HESPERUS and ss MARGOT taking Scots Guards and equipment

                                to Mo, south of Narvik. Heavy expenditure of ammunition,

                12th        Under air attacks during disembarkation lasting several hours.

                                (Note: Air cover was provided during passage but none was available during period at Mo.)

                25th        Deployed with HM Destroyers AMAZON and VOLUNTEER as escort for damaged HM

                                Destroyer ESKIMO during passage in tow to UK.

 

June                        Norwegian coast and North Sea deployment in continuation.

                1st           Passage to UK after evacuation from Harstad.

 

July                         East coast convoy defence in continuation

to                            Deployed as escort for Convoys MT26 and FS38 in North Sea (August).

December

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Nominated for convoy defence duty in Western Approaches.

                                Passage to Londonderry.

February                Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence based at Londonderry..

to

March

 

April                       Joined 1st AA Division of Western Approaches Command for AA defence of convoys in

                                NW and SW Approaches.

 

May                        Atlantic convoy escort in continuation.

 

June                        Transferred to Newfoundland Escort Force for convoy escort in the eastern Canadian

                                seaboard area.

                                Took passage to Newfoundland and joined Escort Force.

 

July                         Deployment with Newfoundland Escort Force in continuation.

 

August                  Passage to UK for refit.

                                Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard at Middlesbrough.

                                (Note: Three 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted for Close Range defence against aircraft.

                                Modified RAF radar (Type 286M) fitted.

                                See RADAR AT SEA By D Howse for details of development and use of radar in

                                the Royal Navy.)

 

 September            On completion joined Sloop Division of Western Approaches Command for escort of

                                Atlantic convoys between UK and Freetown.

 

October                  Freetown route convoy defence in continuation.

 

November              Sloop Division re-designated 44th Escort Group.

                                Remained with new Group in continuation.

 

December              Freetown route convoy defence in continuation.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Deployment for Atlantic convoy defence with Group in continuation.

to                            (For details of U- Boat deployments see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMS0).

May

 

June

                2nd         Damaged in collision with tanker OIL RELIANCE during escort of Convoy OS30.

                                Passage to Liverpool for repair and refit.

                                Taken in hand for refit.

                                (Note: Type 286M radar replaced by Type 286P.

                                Three additional 20mm Oerlikon weapons fitted.

                                H/F DF outfit fitted. See SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann.)

 

July                         Under refit and carried out harbour trials on completion of shipyard work.

 

August                  Post refit harbour and sea trials.

 

September             Rejoined Group for escort of Freetown route convoys.

 

October                  Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

                                Nominated for escort of military convoys to and from Gibraltar.

                                (Note: Radar Type 271 for surface warning fitted.

                                See RADAR AT SEA.)

 

November              Escorted build-up convoys for North African military operations after landings.

                                (Operation TORCH - See above references and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by

                                J de Winser for information about all mercantiles and warships involved.)

 

December              Transferred to Western Mediterranean for service with 43rd Escort Group based at

                                Gibraltar for convoy defence.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Mediterranean convoy defence in continuation.

to

February

 

March                    Passage to UK for service at Londonderry with 39th Escort Group for convoy defence

                                of convoys to and from Freetown

 

April                       Deployed in Atlantic for convoy defence with Group including Convoy OS44.

                                For details of this crucial period see THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre).

 

May                        Deployed with escort for Convoy OS47

                11th        Sank U 528 in position 46.55N, 14.44W (Bay of Biscay) with 58 Squadron RAF during

                                defence of Convoy OS47.

 

June                        Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

July                         Under refit in commercial shipyard at Dundee.

                                (Note: Radar Type 291 and H/F DF fitted.

                                HEDGEHOG Anti submarine Mortar fitted. See SEEK AND STRIKE by

                                W Hackmann).

 

August                  On completion of post refit trials worked-up at Tobermory.

 

September             Rejoined Group after working-up.

                26th        Escorted HM Auxiliary Minelayers MENESTHEUS, AGAMEMNON and PORT QUEBEC

                                of 1st Minelaying Squadron with HM Destroyers HARDY, ROCKET and SALADIN

                                during minelay in Northern Barrage.

                                (Operation SN222C - See Naval Staff History (MINING).)

 

October                  Transferred to 41st Escort Group and escorted convoy to Gibraltar.

                                On arrival deployed on A/S patrol in Gibraltar area.

 

November

                1st           Sank U340 in position 35.49N 05.14 W (East of Ceuta inside Mediterranean) with

                                Destroyers WITHERINGTON and ACTIVE and aircraft of 179 Squadron RAF).

                                Captured survivors who had been rescued by Spanish trawler.

                                For details see U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.

                17th        Sustained serious structural damage in collision with US Navy PC473 and later by

                                striking jetty on berthing in Gibraltar.

                                Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard Gibraltar.

 

December              Under repair by HM Dockyard, Gibraltar.

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under repair.

to

March

 

April                       On completion of post refit trials deployed with 41st Escort Group for defence of convoys

                                in Mediterranean during passage to Port Said.

 

May                        Mediterranean convoy defence in continuation.

to

August

 

September             Under repair in Haifa.

 

October                  Transferred to 50th Escort Group at Alexandria for convoy escort and patrol in eastern

                                Mediterranean.

 

November              Eastern Mediterranean deployment in continuation.

                                Nominated for return to UK.

 

December              Passage to UK

                                (Note: Anti-submarine defences in Home waters were being supplemented due to increase

                                in SCHNORKEL fitted submarine attacks on convoys in Western Approaches and

                                English Channel. See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by Peter C Smith).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployed for convoy escort in SW Approaches and English Channel at Portsmouth.

 

February                Channel deployment in continuation.

                20th        Escorted HM Coastal Minelayer PLOVER during lay of defensive A/S minefield A2 in

                                English Channel (Operation BUTTERMILK – See above reference.).

 

March

                29th        Escorted Netherlands minelayer VAN DAMM during continuation of A2 minefield lay

                                (Operation BUTTERMILK).

 

April

                6th          Escorted HMS PLOVER for lay of Deep A/S minefield V2 in SW Approaches.

                                (Operation ARTIZAN – See above reference)

 

May                        Deployed at Portsmouth for local duties.

to                            Paid-off at and reduced to Reserve status

July                         Laid-up at Portsmouth

 

 

August                  Nominated for reduction to Reserve at Hartlepool.

                4th          Arrived at Hartlepool and laid-up in Reserve.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS FLEETWOOD was brought forward from Reserve in February 1946 for use as the Radar Training Ship attached to HMS DRYAD at Portsmouth. After conversion for her new role commenced training duties .Amongst her earliest tasks was to carry out demonstration of first British commercially produced radar set for use in merchant ships. She continued use as a training ship until 1959 when placed on the Disposal List. After sale to BISCO for demolition by C W Dorkin she arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in Gateshead on 10th October that year.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS FLEETWOOD

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

 

 

 

 

 

20/09/39

20/09/39

BLUE 002

30/09/39

30/09/39

30/10/39

30/10/39

FS 0029

01/11/39

01/11/39

05/11/39

05/11/39

FS 0032

07/11/39

07/11/39

23/12/39

23/12/39

FS 0058

24/12/39

24/12/39

26/12/39

26/12/39

FN 0059

28/12/39

28/12/39

11/01/40

11/01/40

FS 0069

12/01/40

12/01/40

15/01/40

15/01/40

FN 0072

18/01/40

18/01/40

18/01/40

18/01/40

FS 0076

20/01/40

20/01/40

21/01/40

21/01/40

FN 0077

23/01/40

23/01/40

24/01/40

24/01/40

FS 0080

26/01/40

26/01/40

27/01/40

27/01/40

FN 0081

28/01/40

28/01/40

29/01/40

29/01/40

FS 0083A

31/01/40

31/01/40

08/02/40

08/02/40

FN 0089

11/02/40

11/02/40

12/02/40

12/02/40

FS 0094

14/02/40

14/02/40

12/02/40

12/02/40

MT 009

12/02/40

12/02/40

15/02/40

15/02/40

FN 0095

17/02/40

17/02/40

19/02/40

19/02/40

FS 0100

21/02/40

21/02/40

06/03/40

06/03/40

FS 0114

08/03/40

08/03/40

13/03/40

13/03/40

FS 0120

15/03/40

15/03/40

13/03/40

13/03/40

MT 029

13/03/40

13/03/40

21/03/40

21/03/40

FS 0126

23/03/40

23/03/40

21/03/40

21/03/40

MT 035

21/03/40

21/03/40

24/03/40

24/03/40

FN 0128

26/03/40

26/03/40

04/04/40

04/04/40

FS 0138

06/04/40

06/04/40

07/04/40

07/04/40

FN 0140

09/04/40

09/04/40

09/04/40

09/04/40

FS 0141

11/04/40

11/04/40

09/06/40

09/06/40

FS 0191

11/06/40

11/06/40

09/06/40

09/06/40

MT 085

09/06/40

09/06/40

16/06/40

16/06/40

MT 089

17/06/40

17/06/40

17/06/40

17/06/40

FS 0197

19/06/40

19/06/40

20/06/40

20/06/40

FN 0200

22/06/40

22/06/40

23/06/40

23/06/40

FS 0203

26/06/40

26/06/40

23/06/40

23/06/40

MT 094

25/06/40

25/06/40

27/06/40

27/06/40

FN 0206

29/06/40

29/06/40

05/07/40

05/07/40

FS 0215

07/07/40

07/07/40

09/07/40

09/07/40

FN 0218

11/07/40

11/07/40

12/07/40

12/07/40

FS 0221

14/07/40

14/07/40

16/07/40

16/07/40

FN 0224

17/07/40

18/07/40

19/07/40

19/07/40

FS 0226

21/07/40

21/07/40

22/07/40

22/07/40

FN 0229

24/07/40

24/07/40

31/07/40

31/07/40

FS 0238

02/08/40

02/08/40

03/08/40

03/08/40

FN 0241

05/08/40

05/08/40

07/08/40

07/08/40

FS 0245

09/08/40

09/08/40

10/08/40

10/08/40

FN 0248

12/08/40

12/08/40

13/08/40

13/08/40

FS 0251

15/08/40

15/08/40

14/08/40

14/08/40

FS 0252

16/08/40

16/08/40

28/08/40

28/08/40

FN 0265

30/08/40

30/08/40

01/09/40

01/09/40

FS 0269

03/09/40

03/09/40

04/09/40

04/09/40

FN 0272

06/09/40

06/09/40

12/09/40

12/09/40

OA 213

16/09/40

unknown

05/09/40

16/09/40

HX 071

20/09/40

20/09/40

30/09/40

30/09/40

OA 222

05/10/40

03/10/40

19/09/40

05/10/40

SL 048

10/10/40

09/10/40

16/10/40

16/10/40

OA 230

20/10/40

20/10/40

09/10/40

20/10/40

HG 045

27/10/40

27/10/40

05/01/41

05/01/41

EN 052/1

07/01/41

07/01/41

15/01/41

15/01/41

FS 0388

17/01/41

17/01/41

23/01/41

23/01/41

FS 0395

26/01/41

26/01/41

28/01/41

28/01/41

FN 0394

30/01/41

30/01/41

03/02/41

04/02/41

OB 282

07/02/41

08/02/41

20/01/41

09/02/41

SL 063

09/02/41

09/02/41

13/02/41

13/02/41

OB 286

17/02/41

17/02/41

30/01/41

17/02/41

SL 064

20/02/41

22/02/41

26/02/41

27/02/41

OB 291

03/03/41

03/03/41

10/02/41

04/03/41

SL 065

08/03/41

08/03/41

23/03/41

23/03/41

OB 301

27/03/41

27/03/41

15/03/41

27/03/41

HG 056

02/04/41

02/04/41

06/04/41

06/04/41

OG 058

12/04/41

21/04/41

22/04/41

23/04/41

OB 313

27/04/41

28/04/41

05/05/41

07/05/41

OG 061

09/05/41

19/05/41

17/04/41

10/05/41

SL 072

13/05/41

13/05/41

18/05/41

19/05/41

OB 324

24/05/41

27/05/41

09/05/41

24/05/41

SC 031

29/05/41

30/05/41

16/06/41

16/06/41

OB 335

24/06/41

02/07/41

16/06/41

27/06/41

HX 133

27/06/41

03/07/41

27/06/41

03/07/41

OB 340

13/07/41

13/07/41

16/07/41

19/07/41

HX 139

30/07/41

31/07/41

03/10/41

03/10/41

OS 008

25/10/41

26/10/41

27/10/41

28/10/41

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

13/12/41

15/12/41

OS 014

01/01/42

03/01/42

04/01/42

07/01/42

SL 097

14/01/42

24/01/42

11/01/42

17/01/42

SL 097G

24/01/42

24/01/42

11/02/42

12/02/42

OS 019

01/03/42

03/03/42

04/03/42

07/03/42

SL 102

26/03/42

26/03/42

02/04/42

03/04/42

OS 024

22/04/42

22/04/42

26/04/42

26/04/42

SL 108

19/05/42

19/05/42

01/06/42

02/06/42

OS 030

04/06/42

19/06/42

29/09/42

29/09/42

OS 042

09/10/42

09/10/42

01/11/42

01/11/42

KMF 002

12/11/42

12/11/42

15/11/42

15/11/42

MKF 002

18/11/42

23/11/42

08/11/42

22/11/42

KMS 003G

26/11/42

26/11/42

01/12/42

01/12/42

ET 003

04/12/42

04/12/42

26/11/42

07/12/42

KMS 004G

13/12/42

13/12/42

05/12/42

14/12/42

ET 005

16/12/42

16/12/42

11/12/42

23/12/42

KMS 005G

unknown

27/12/42

27/12/42

27/12/42

ET 007

31/12/42

31/12/42

07/01/43

18/01/43

KMS 007G

23/01/43

21/01/43

23/01/43

24/01/43

ET 009X

27/01/43

27/01/43

07/02/43

07/02/43

MKS 007

17/02/43

17/02/43

06/03/43

07/03/43

OS 044

24/03/43

24/03/43

31/03/43

31/03/43

SL 127

24/04/43

15/04/43

05/05/43

06/05/43

OS 047KM

15/05/43

16/05/43

16/05/43

19/05/43

OS 047

25/05/43

25/05/43

30/05/43

30/05/43

SL 130

11/06/43

11/06/43

11/06/43

11/06/43

SL 130MK

18/06/43

21/06/43

07/10/43

07/10/43

OS 056KM

18/10/43

18/10/43

18/10/43

18/10/43

KMS 029G

20/10/43

20/10/43

27/03/44

27/03/44

KMS 045

06/04/44

06/04/44

09/04/44

10/04/44

MKS 046

21/04/44

21/04/44

25/04/44

26/04/44

KMS 048

04/05/44

05/05/44

14/05/44

14/05/44

GUS 040

22/05/44

09/06/44

03/05/44

25/05/44

UGS 041

30/05/44

30/05/44

08/06/44

09/06/44

MKS 052

20/06/44

20/06/44

23/06/44

23/06/44

KMS 054

02/07/44

03/07/44

14/07/44

15/07/44

GUS 046

20/07/44

08/08/44

04/07/44

23/07/44

UGS 047

29/07/44

29/07/44

07/08/44

07/08/44

MKS 058

17/08/44

17/08/44

23/08/44

23/08/44

KMS 060

02/09/44

02/09/44

16/10/44

16/10/44

MKS 065

28/10/44

28/10/44

02/11/44

06/11/44

KMS 067

12/11/44

12/11/44

25/02/45

25/02/45

BTC 080

28/02/45

28/02/45

25/02/45

25/02/45

TBC 080

28/02/45

28/02/45

20/03/45

20/03/45

WVL 109

21/03/45

21/03/45

03/04/45

03/04/45

WVC 113

04/04/45

04/04/45

12/04/45

12/04/45

BTC 126

15/04/45

15/04/45

12/04/45

12/04/45

TBC 126

15/04/45

15/04/45

30/04/45

30/04/45

WVC 138

01/05/45

01/05/45

01/05/45

01/05/45

BTC 145

04/05/45

04/05/45

01/05/45

01/05/45

VWC 143

02/05/45

02/05/45

02/05/45

02/05/45

TBC 146

05/05/45

05/05/45

03/05/45

05/05/45

BTC 147

06/05/45

06/05/45

13/05/45

13/05/45

VWL 170

14/05/45

14/05/45

15/05/45

15/05/45

BTC 159

18/05/45

18/05/45

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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