HALCYON-Class
Minesweeper ordered from John I
Thornycroft at Woolston on 23rd
February 1933 with sister
ship
to be named HMS HUSSAR as part of the
1st Group of
this Class.. Her reciprocating
propulsion machinery was
to
be supplied by the builder of West Hartlepool..
The
ship was laid down on 11th July that
year and launched on
17th
April 193
as the 8th RN warship to carry this
name which had
been introduced for a an 18 gun
Brig-Sloop built
at
Deptford in 1804 and which foundered
in 1809. Last
used for a Torpedo Gunboat built by HM
Dockyard Devonport
in
1894 and sold in 1920. Build was
completed on 9th November 1934.
During WW2 after a successful WARSHIP
WEEK
National Savings campaign in January
1942 this
ship was adopted by the civil
community of Plympton St. Mary, Devon.
B a t t l
e H o n o u r s
BALTIC
1855 - NEW ZEALAND
1863-66
-
ARCTIC
1941-43
- NORMANDY
1944
H e r a l d i c D a
t a
On
a field Green a Harrier Gold.
M
o t t o
Tenaciter
sequer: 'I
follow tenaciously'
M
a n n i n g
D i v i s i o n
Chatham.
D
e t a i l s
o f 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 4
November
Contractors Trials
9th
Commissioned for service with 1st
Minesweeping Flotilla on completion of
Acceptance
Trials.
December
Deployed with Flotilla at Portland and
worked-up for operational service.
1 9 3
5 t
o 1 9 3 6
Flotilla deployment in Home waters
including Fleet and Flotilla exercises
with visits.
Attended Jubilee Review of the Fleet by
HM King George V at Spithead.
1 9 3 7
Attended Coronation Review of the Fleet
by HM King George VI
Nominated for reduction to Reserve.
Paid off into Reserve and laid-up at
Chatham
1 9 3 8
Laid-up at Chatham
(Note: Ship may have been brought
forward in September 1938 during
the Munich crisis.
1 9 3 9
January
Nominated for service with 5th
Minesweeping Flotilla
to
July
Commissioned for Service and prepared
for passage to nominated war station.
August
Passage to Dover to join Flotilla.
September
Deployed at Dover for minesweeping
duties in English Channel.
(Note: Ships nominated for 5th
Minesweeping Flotilla were:
HM Minesweepers HALCYON, HUSSAR, LEDA,
NIGER, SALAMANDER,
GOSSAMER, SKIPJACK and SPHINX. Some of
these did not join until
after declaration of war with Germany.)
20th
Deployed with HMS SKIPJACK for
minesweeping of coastal convoy route and
sighted two floating mines which were
sunk.
Assisted in rescue of some of ship’s
company of HM Corvette KITTIWAKE which
had been disabled after a torpedo
attack. Embarked 39 men.
October
Deployed with HM Minesweepers HALCYON,
SPEEDWELL, SKIPJACK,
SALAMANDER and HUSSAR to ensure clear
passage across Dover Strait for
military convoys taking BEF to French
ports.
On completion transferred with Flotilla
to Humber for minesweeping in North Sea
to ensure safe passage for convoys to
and from Thames Estuary.
November
Grimsby deployment in continuation.
(Note: HMS HUSSAR was damaged when mine
was caught in sweep and exploded
near her.)
December
East Coast minesweeping in continuation.
1 9 4 0
January
Transferred with Flotilla to Rosyth
Command and based at Rosyth.
(Note: HMS HALCYON and HMS HUSSAR were
transferred to 4th Flotilla
and remained at Grimsby.)
February
Deployed for minesweeping of f east
coast of
Scotland to ensure safe passage
for convoys.
3rd
Under air attack north of Kinnaird Head
during minesweep and assisted in rescue
of survivors from HM Minesweeper SPHINX
which sustained serious structural
damaged in bombing. 54 of ship’s company
lost their lives.
Tow of stricken ship failed when she
capsized in rough weather.
March
Flotilla minesweeping and convoy defence
in continuation.
April
Transferred to 6th Minesweeping Flotilla
with HMS SKIPJACK and
HMS SPEEDWELL.
May
Deployed for convoy defence in Nore
Command.
25th
Under air attack during clearance of
passage ahead of convoy off Zeebrugge
and hit by 500lb bomb which failed to
explode and passed through forward
structure and sustained further
significant damage.
Passage to Sheerness at reduced speed.
26th
Passage from Sheerness to Thames
commercial shipyard.
(Note: Facilities at Sheerness were not
available for such additional work
since the dockyard was to be used for
control of vessels deployed to assist
in the evacuation of allied troops from
Dunkirk. (Operation DYNAMO)
27th
Taken in hand for repair .
Pennant Number for visual signalling
purposes changed to J71
June
Under repair in London.
July
9th
Carried out post refit trials and took
passage to Harwich for minesweeping
duties in Nore command based at
.Harwich.
10th
During minesweeping operations off
Lowestoft with HMS HALCYON and
HMS SPEEDWELL, under air attacks which
were unsuccessful.
25th
Taken in hand for repair at Great
Yarmouth.
(Note: This is possibly for machinery
defect as no record of any enemy action
has been traced.)
August
On completion resumed minesweeping
duties in Nore Command.
September
Deployed additional for anti-invasion
patrol and convoy defence in North Sea.
to
December
(Note: Ships in North Sea were under constant threat and experienced many
air attacks.)
1 9 4 1
January
North Sea minesweeping and convoy defence in continuation with Flotilla.
to
April
(Note: HMS SALAMANDER joined Flotilla
after repair in weather damage
during service in 4th Minesweeping
Flotilla.) Transferred with Flotilla to
Western Approaches Command for convoy
escort in view of the shortage
of escorts following recent losses and
damage to destroyers and corvettes.
Fit of ASDIC equipment in HALCYON Class
minesweepers and their
larger displacement made them
particularly suited for this duty.)
May
Nominated for refit and passage to
Southampton.
19th
Taken in hand for refit in commercial
shipyard.
June
Under refit
July
12th
Carried out post refit trials before
resuming deployment with Flotilla
18th
Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence and
passage to Iceland.
(Note: Some ships of the Flotilla were
deployed for escort of ships between UK
and Iceland
26th
Deployed with HMS SALAMANDER and HALCYON
to assist in saving
ss ATLANTIC CITY which had been hit by
torpedo in NW Approaches during
passage to Freetown with Convoy OS1.
Carried out anti-submarine operations.
30th
Deployed in Iceland with same ships as
part of Local Escort Force for defence
of ships on entry or departure from
Seidisfjord.
August
Iceland deployment in continuation.
Nominated for service in North Russia
after German invasion.
20th
Sailed from Hvalfjord to provide
anti-submarine protection with HMS
HALCYON
and HMS SALAMANDER for ships of first
convoy to North Russia.
(Operation DERVISH)
(Note: Other ships deployed for escort
were:
HM Destroyers ELECTRA, ACTIVE and
IMPULSIVE till 29th. with Home
Fleet ships providing Distant Cover
between 24th and 30th August.
For full details of all Russian convoy
passages with names of the escorts and
mercantiles see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA
Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS
by B Schoefield, CONVOY ! by P Kemp and
ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman.).
31st
Detached from DERVISH convoy on arrival
at Archangel.
September
Deployed for minesweeping in North
Russia,
28th
Joined Convoy QP1 with HMS HALCYON and
HMS SALAMANDER as Local Escort
for first stage of outward passage to
Orkneys.
(Note: This was first return convoy from
North Russia. See references.)
30th
Detached from QP1 with Local Escort and
returned to Archangel.
October
North Russia deployment in continuation
10th
Provided Local Escort for inward convoy
PQ1 for entry into Archangel.
Nominated for return to UK for
“Arcticisation” and made independent
passage
November
1st
Taken in hand for refit work by
commercial shipyard in London.
December
13th
On completion took passage from Thames
to Scapa Flow for special duties.
18th
Deployed in Scapa Flow for preparatory
exercises to provide support for planned
commando raid on Lofoten Islands.
(Operation ANKLET).
(Note: This was carried out in
conjunction with a similar raid on the
islands
of Vaagso and Maaloy by another force of
ships (Operation ARCHERY)
22nd
Deployed with HM Cruiser ARETHUSA, HM
Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN,
ESKIMO, SOMALI, WHEATLAND, LAMERTON,
Polish ORP KRAKOWIAK
and KUJAWIAK, HM Norwegian Corvettes
ACANTHUS, EGLANTINE, HMS
HALCYON and SPEEDWELL, HM Landing Ships
(Infantry) PRINZ ALBERT
and PRINCESS CHARLOTTE for support of
landings.
Sailed from Scapa Flow
(Note: One of the Landing Ships
developed machinery defects on passage
and
had to return to Scapa Flow. This was a
major setback since some 12
Commando personnel were embarked in this
ship and their loss seriously
reduced the number available for the
landings on Lofoten. HM Survey Ship
SCOTT, another of this Class was also
deployed to provide accurate
navigational aid.)
26th
Present at landings by commandos which
were made on a reduced scale.
28th
Operation terminated because of air
threat.
(Note: Ships later came under air attack
during which HMS ARETHUSA was
slightly damaged.)
1 9 4 2
January
1st
Returned to Scapa Flow with ANKLET Force
On release from Home Fleet special duty
took passage to Iceland for
escort of convoy to North Russia.
8th
Sailed from Hvalfjord as part of escort
for Russian Convoy PQ8 with HMS
SPEEDWELL during passage to Murmansk.
11th
HM Cruiser TRINIDAD, HM Destroyers
MATABELE and SOMALI joined escort.
17th
Under attack by U454 during which HMS
MATABELE was sunk and one of convoy
was hit but arrived later despite
damage.
Detached from PQ8 on arrival and resumed
minesweeping duties at Murmansk.
24th
Deployed for Local Escort of outward
convoy QP6 with HMS SPEEDWELL.
Russian destroyers GREMYASCHI and
SOKRUSHITELNY.
27th
Detached from QP6 with Local Escort and
returned to Murmansk.
February
Deployed for local minesweeping.
22nd
Deployed with HM Cruiser NIGERIA, HMS
HAZARD and HMS SALAMANDER
Russian destroyers GROMKI and GROZNI to
provide Local Escort for final stage
of passage into Murmansk.of Russian
Convoy PQ11
Detached from PQ11 on arrival and
resumed local minesweeping duties.
March
1st
Deployed as Local Escort with HMS
SHARPSHOOTER for initial stage of
passage
of return convoy QP8 from Murmansk.
3rd
Detached from QP8 with Local Escort and
returned to Murmansk.
11th
Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweepers
HUSSAR, SPEEDWELL and
Russian destroyer GREMYASCHI as Local
Escort during passage into
Murmansk.
12th
Detached from PQ12 on arrival at
Murmansk.
21st
Joined outward convoy QP9 with HM Fleet
Minesweepers GOSSAMER,
HUSSAR, NIGER, SPEEDWELL and Russian
destroyer GREMYASCHI
on sailing from Kola Inlet as Local
Escort during initial stage of passage
to Iceland.
23rd
Took return passage to Kola Inlet with
Local Escort on relief by ships of
Ocean Escort.
April
10th
Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweepers
GOSSAMER, HUSSAR and a
Russian destroyer for Local Escort of
convoy QP10 during initial stage of
passage to Iceland.
12th
Detached from QP10 with Local Escort and
returned to Kola Inlet.
17th
Deployed to meet inward convoy PQ14 for
Local Escort with HM Fleet
Minesweepers GOSSAMER, HUSSAR and NIGER.
(Note: Although two Russian destroyers
joined for this duty, it is not
certain whether the RN minesweepers
joined.
19th
Convoy PQ14 arrived at Murmansk.
28th
Joined outward convoy QP11 as Local
Escort for initial stage of passage
from Murmansk to Iceland with HM Fleet
Minesweepers GOSSAMER,
HUSSAR, NIGER and two Russian
destroyers, including SOKRUSHITELNY.
29th
Detached from QP11with Local Escort
after relieved by Ocean Escort and
took return passage to Murmansk.
May
1st
Despatched with HM Fleet Minesweepers,
GOSSAMER, HUSSAR and
NIGER to assist HM Cruiser EDINBURGH
which had been disabled after
being hit by torpedo from U456 on 30th
April whilst part of escort for return
convoy QP11.
(Note: The cruiser had embarked bullion
at Murmansk. See references.)
2nd
In action against German destroyers with
ships of Ocean Escort including
HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, FORESTER,
Russian destroyers GREMYASCHI
and SOKRISHITELNY. Torpedo from German
destroyer Z24 hit the cruiser
which prevented further attempts to save
stricken ship which was then sunk
by a torpedo from HMS FORESIGHT.
Took part in rescue of ship’s company of
HMS EDINBURGH with other ships
of the Ocean Escort. See references.
3rd
Return passage to Murmansk.
21st
Joined return convoy QP12 as part of
Ocean Escort for return passage to UK.
(Note: Other ships in Ocean Escort were:
HM Auxiliary AA Ship ULSTER QUEEN, HM
Destroyers BOADICEA,
ESCAPADE, INGLEFIELD, BADSWORTH,
VENOMOUS, Norwegian,
ST ALBANS, HM Trawlers CAPE PALLISER,
NORTHERN PRIDE,
NORTHERN WAVE and VIZALMA.)
June
1st
Detached from QP12 and took passage to
Humber for refit
7th
Taken in hand for refit in commercial
shipyard.
(Note: Radar Type 271 was fitted during
this period, For details of the
development
and use of radar by the Royal Navy see
RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)
July
21st
Carried out post refit trials on
completion of refit work and resumed
Flotilla minesweeping duties in Home
waters.
(Note: Possible deployment in Iceland to
be confirmed.
August
Home waters deployment in continuation.
Iceland deployment to be confirmed.
(Note: Following the disastrous passage
of convoy PQ17, no sailings of convoys
were made to North Russia. See
references and ENGAGE THE ENEMY
MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
September
Deployed in Iceland
8th
Part of escort for convoy PQ18.
(Note: Fighting escort joined on 9th
September. See references for details.)
12th
Convoy under submarine attacks during
which U88 was sunk by HM Destroyers
FAULKNOR, ONSLOW and IMPULSIVE.
14th
Under air attacks which sank eight
ships.
Sank mercantile ss ALTHELTEMPLAR which
had been damage in air attack.
(Note: Tow of this ship to Lowe Sound
was deemed unsuitable in view of
intensity
of attacks.)
18th
HM Minesweepers BRITOMART, HALCYON,
HAZARD and SALAMANDER
joined as Local Escort into Kola Inlet.
Detached from PQ 18 and deployed for
local minesweeping in North Russia,
October
North Russia minesweeping in
continuation.
to
December
(Note: Russian convoy traffic was
suspended during this period because of
the
Home Fleet commitments for support of
landings in North Africa.
(Operation TORCH.))
1 9 4 3
January
3rd
Deployed with HMS SEAGULL for Local
Escort of Russian Convoy JW51B for
final stage passage to Kola Inlet.
4th
Detached from JW51B with HMS SEAGULL on
arrival at Kola Inlet/
5th
Resumed local mine clearance.
29th
Joined HMS SEAGULL for passage to UK as
part of escort for return Convoy RA52.
(Note: Escort included: HM Destroyers
BEAGLE, BULLDOG, FORESTER,
ICARUS, MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, OFFA,
ONSLAUGHT,
ONSLOW and Polish ORP PIORUN, HM
Corvettes HONEYSUCKLE,
HYDERABAD (RIN), RHODODENDRON and OXLIP.
HMS ONSLOW was returning to UK after
repair of serious
damage during Battle of Barents Sea. See
references.)
February
3rd
Convoy under submarine attack.
9th
Detached from RA52 on arrival at Loch
Ewe.
(Note: Deployed as SO Escorts when Home
Fleet destroyers detached for passage
to Scapa Flow.
17th
Taken in hand for refit at commercial
shipyard in Leith.
March
Under refit.
April
8th
Carried out post refit trials on
completion of dockyard work
On completion of work-up for operational
service deployed in Home
waters for minesweeping and convoy
defence.
May
Home waters duties in continuation.
to
September
Nominated for return to North Russia for
minesweeping and convoy defence.
October
Took passage from Scapa Flow to North Russia with Home Fleet
ships sent
to escort empty mercantiles left in
North Russia during period of suspension
of routine convoys. See references.
Resumed detached service for Local
Escort and minesweeping duties.
November
1st
Provided Local Escort with HMS SEAGULL
and two Russian destroyers including
GROMKI
for passage of return convoy RA54A
during initial stage of passage
from Kola Inlet
3rd
Detached from RA54B and resumed
minesweeping deployment.
27th
Joined HM Destroyers INCONSTANT,
WHITEHALL and HM Corvette
HEATHER as part of Ocean Escort for
return convoy JW54B to UK.
December
9th
Detached from RA54B after uninterrupted
passage on relief by western
Local Escort.
12th
Deployed JW55A outward convoy to Kola
Inlet from Loch Ewe as Local
Escort with HM Fleet Minesweeper
COCKATRICE.
15th
Detached from JW55B on arrival of Ocean
Escort and returned to Scapa Flow.
31st
Taken in hand for refit in commercial
shipyard in Grimsby.
1 9 4 4
January
Under refit
to
February
Nominated for service as Leader of 1st
Minesweeping Flotilla.
(Note: Other ships in Flotilla were:
HM Fleet Minesweepers BRITOMART,
GLEANER, HALCYON,
HUSSAR, JASON, SALAMANDER, SEAGULL and
SPEEDWELL.)
March
3rd
Carried out post refit trials on
completion of refit.
7th
Deployed at Scapa Flow for
anti-submarine work-up exercises.
9th
Carried out Flotilla minesweeping
exercises..
April
Flotilla exercises in continuation in
North Sea.
Passage to Portsmouth with calls in east
coast ports.
30th
Deployed at Portsmouth and nominated for
minesweeping support
for planned allied landings in Normandy
(Operation NEPTUNE).
May
Took part in preparatory exercises
including Exercise FABIUS series
with Flotilla.
(Note: For details of naval activities
before and during NEPTUNE see
LANDINGS IN NORMANDY June 1944 (HMSO)
and OPERATION
NEPTUNE by K. Edwards. For specific information about
minesweeping activities see THEY LED THE
WAY by Williams.
Three Motor Launches and four
Isles-Class Danlayers were attached to
the Flotilla for this specialised
operation.)
On completion of defence exercise
deployed in Solent for briefing and
maintenance.
June
Deployed at Portsmouth for briefing and
preparations for minesweeping of
Channel 9 in advance of Assault convoys
taking troops of 3rd Infantry
Bde to SWORD Beaches.
4th
Operation delayed by 24 hours.
5th
Sailed from Solent to commence Channel
clearance.
No mines cleared or exploded.
6th
On completion deployed for mine sweeping
of anchorages.
8th
Deployed for widening the area between
Approach Channels 5 and 6.
9th
Carried out minesweeping, defence
patrols off Eastern Task Force area and
to
escort of Channel convoy as required.
18th
19th
Whilst replenishing fuel in rough
weather alongside RFA sustained damage
forward and holed.
Withdrawn from NEPTUNE.
20th
Passage to Harwich for repair
July
At Harwich awaiting repair.
8th
Taken in hand for repair in commercial
shipyard.
17th
On completion of repair took passage to
rejoin Flotilla for minesweeping
and defence duties off Normandy coast.
19th
Channel deployment in continuation for
support of allied military operations.
(Note: Minesweeping to keep clear
passage across English Channel was vital
in view of extensive minelaying by
aircraft.
August
1st
Withdrawn from operation after machinery
defects and took passage to Portsmouth
for repair,
2nd
Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard,
Portsmouth.
30th
On completion resumed Flotilla duties in
Channel.
(Note: Because of this period under
repair the ship was not present when HMS
JASON, BRITOMART, HUSSAR, and SALAMANDER
came
under rocket attack by RAF TYPHOON
aircraft on 27th August.
.
These ships were carrying out
minesweeping off Le Havre to ensure
clear
anchorage for bombardment of Le Havre by
HM Battleship WARSPITE,
with HM Monitors EREBUS and ROBERTS.
HMS BRITOMART and HMS HUSSAR were sunk
by these attacks,
HMS SALAMANDER damaged beyond repair,
and HMS JASON and two trawlers
damaged.)
September
Minesweeping deployment in continuation
in English Channel.
to
October
(Note: Other ships of Flotilla were HM
Minesweepers HARRIER, HALCYON,
SPEEDWELL, GLEANER, HAZARD, SHARPSHOOTER
and JASON.
Minesweeping requirements progressively
moved eastward during this
period and had reached the Belgian coast
by the end of October.)
Ships of Flotilla were gradually
withdrawn for refit but returned on
completion.)
November
Deployed in southern North Sea with Flotilla.
2nd
HM Danlayer COLSAY was sunk by a human
torpedo (NEGER) Off Ostend.
(Note: Clearance of approach Channels to
ports in Europe was essential to ensure
safe passage of military convoys
supporting allied advance in the Low
countries.)
22nd
Passage to Leith for refit.
23rd
Taken in hand for refit in commercial
shipyard
December
Under refit
1 9 4
5
January
Under refit
to
February
March
Harbour trials and prepared for duties
with Flotilla.
April
On completion of post refit trials took
passage to rejoin Flotilla at Harwich.
(Note: During 1945 extensive enemy
minelaying was being carried out by
submarines, aircraft and small surface
craft.)
May
After VE Day deployed with ships of
Flotilla for clearance of allied and
German
to
August
mines in North Sea and Channel areas.
P o s
t W a r N o t
e s
HMS
HARRIER remained in commission after
VE Day and was deployed for mine
clearance
in the North Sea until October when
re-deployed for the same duties in the
Channel area. Nominated for paying-off
in 1946 she returned to Chatham in May
to de-store and for removal of
armament. The ship transferred to
Harwich in
July and was laid-up there until being
placed on the Disposal List in 1950.
Sold to BISCO on 6th August that year
she was later towed to the Tyne for
demolition by Messrs J King. This name
was carried forward when used for a
radar training
establishment
at
Kete in Pembrokeshire which was closed
down in 1962.
Addendum
Link
to
www.halcyon-class.co.uk
by
Bill Burn