Naval History Homepage and Site Search

 

 

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS  SCOUT (H 51) - Old S-class Destroyer

HMS Saladin, sister-ship (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List 
 

S-Class Destroyer ordered from John Brown of Clydebank with the 11th Order of the 1917-18 Build Programme in April 1917. The ship was laid down on 25th October 1917 and launched on 27th April 1918 as the 15th RN ship to carry the name. It was first used in 1577 and previously for a cruiser sold in 1904 Build was completed on 15th June 19l8. During the inter-war years she was deployed in the Mediterranean and after 1928 went to the China Station. She was still serving there when war with Germany was declared in September 1939. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in December 1941 she was adopted by the civil community of Leatherhead. Surrey.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ARMADA 1588 - PEI-HO FORTS 1859 - SOUTH AFRICA 1900-01

 

H e r a l d i c   Da t a

Badge: On a Field: barry wavy of six white and blue

Fleur-de-Lys gold.

 

M o t t o

'Be prepared'

 

 

      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

                3rd          On passage to Singapore following conversion for minelaying at Hong Kong.

                4th          Laid defensive minefield off Singapore.

                10th        Converted back to Antisubmarine role.

 

October                  Deployed with Hong Kong Local Flotilla for contraband control and convoy defence

to December

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Hong Kong Flotilla deployment in continuation.

to

August

 

September             Under refit at Hong Kong.

to

November

 

December              Resumed Local Flotilla duties.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Local Flotilla duties in continuation.

to

October

 

November              Under refit and routine docking.

 

December

                8th          After Japan entered war transfer to Singapore agreed with US Navy.

                                Undocked and took passage.

                18th        Deployed with Perak Flotilla (ROSEFORCE) at Port Swettenham.

                                Supported clandestine operations to disrupt Japanese communications in Straits

                                of Malacca.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Returned to Singapore when Japanese aircraft prevented further operations.

                                Redeployed on local convoy escort.

 

February                Escorted evacuation convoys from Singapore to Batavia.

                                Transferred to Western Striking Force of ABDA Command based at Tanjong Priock.

                25th        Redeployed and joined Eastern Striking Force with HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN),

                                DANAE, DRAGON and HM Destroyer TENEDOS at Soerabaya.

                26th        Carried out unsuccessful operation to intercept Japanese invasion convoy heading

                                for western Java.

                27th        After refuelling escorted HMAS HOBART with HMS DRAGON and HMS DANAE

                                during passage to Colombo.

 

March                    Joined Force B with HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES, HM Cruisers CALEDON and

                                DRAGON.

                31st         Deployed with Force B to cover HM Battleship WARSPITE, HM Aircraft Carriers

                                INDOMITABLE and FORMIDABLE of Force A during unsuccessful search for

                                Japanese naval force on passage towards Ceylon.

 

April

                4th          Refuelled at Addu Atoll with Eastern Fleet Forces A and B.

                                Remained at sea during Japanese air attacks on Ceylon and then took passage to

                                Kilindini.

 

May                        Deployed for screening duty of R-Class Battleships based at Kilindini.

 

June                        Took passage to Colombo for refit.

 

August                  Indian Ocean convey escort in continuation.

to

December

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Indian Ocean convoy escort in continuation.

to

December

 1 9 4 4

 

January                  Under refit at Bombay.

to                            Extent of repair required was found uneconomic to complete.

May

 

June                        Placed under Care and Maintenance and used for accommodation of

                                personnel from HM Destroyer Depot Ship WOOLWICH at Trincomalee.

 

July                         Accommodation Ship role in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Accommodation Ship role in continuation.

to

August

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS SCOUT sailed for UK in December 1945 and on arrival was placed on the Disposal List. The ship was sold for breaking-up at Briton Ferry by T W Ward on 11th February 1946 and arrived there in tow on 2nd March 1946 for demolition.

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

revised 1/7/11
further editing and formatting is required