W-Class destroyer included in the 10th Order of the 1916-17 Programme for build by Fairfield at Govan, Glasgow and laid down in April 1917. The ship was launched on 14th March 1918 as the 1st RN ship to carry the name and build was completed on 27th April that year. After service with the Grand Fleet in the 13th Destroyer Flotilla during WW1 she was part of the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet in 1921. Later the Flotilla transferred to the Mediterranean where she was deployed until she went into Reserve at Chatham. During 1938 she was selected for conversion to an AA Escort (WAIR) by HM Dockyard Chatham which was completed in May 1940. After a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in November. 1941 this ship was adopted by the civil community of Bridgwater in Somerset.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

DUNKIRK   1940 - NORTH SEA   1943-45

 

H e r a l d i c  D a t a

Badge: On a Field Black, a wolfhound's head, Silver, collared Gold.

 

M o t t o

'In at the death'

 

 

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             Under refit and conversion for use as an AA Escort.

to                            (For details of conversion see V&W DESTROYERS 1917-1945 by A Preston).

December

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Under conversion. (I 56  after conversion)

to

March

 

April                       Post refit trials and commissioning for service.

 

May                        On completion of trials and storing joined 1st Destroyer Flotilla at Portsmouth for defence of

                                Channel convoys.

                26th        Detached for support of evacuation of allied troops from France.

                                Carried cut bombardment of Calais with HM Destroyer VERITY.

                27th        Deployed in Dover Command for communication duties during evacuation from Dunkirk.

                                (Operation DYNAMO - See Naval Staff History, NINE DAYS AT DUNKIRK by AD Divine and

                                BEF SHIPS by J de Winser.)

                                (Note: Senior Officer's ships for evacuation - Captain WG Tennant, Royal Navy).

                28th        Embarked 142 troops for passage to Dover.

                29th        Resumed duties at Dunkirk.

                                Sustained major damage in air attacks at Dunkirk.

                                Ship broke her back but was salvaged and towed to Chatham for repair.

 

June                        Paid off and under Dockyard Control.

                                Awaiting repair at Chatham.

                                (Note: Priority for repair work was given to damaged ships which could most easily be quickly

                                returned to operation duties.

 

July                         Under repair.

to                            (Note: Major reconstruction was required).

December

 

1 9 4 1

 

                                Under repair by HM Dockyard, Chatham.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Under repair by HM Dockyard Chatham

to August              Re-commissioned for trials.

 

September             Carried out post repair harbour and sea trials

 

October                  Prepared for operational service.

 

November              On completion deployed for convoy defence in North Sea.

 

December              Convoy defence duties in North Sea in continuation.

 

1 9 4 3

 

                                Deployed for convoy defence and patrol in North Sea.

                                (Note: During this period Radar Type 285 was fitted for fire control of main armament and

                                Type 286P to give surface and air warning.

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

                                Provision of VHF radio telephone equipment enabled communication with aircraft and

                                other escorts.

                                See also BATTLE OF THE NARROW SEA by Peter Scott).

 

1 9 4 4

 

                                North Sea convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

                                (Note: NOT detached for support or escort duties during allied landings in France.

                                (Operation NEPTUNE).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  North Sea convoy defence and patrol duties in continuation.

to                            (Note: During this period enemy minelaying and submarine activities increased and additional

April                       patrols were carried out especially in Thames estuary.

                                See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE

                                CLOSELY by C Barnett.

                                Atlantic convoys were also re-routed via English Channel as there was no longer an air

                                threat from bases in France).

 

May                        After VE Day detached for support of the re-occupation of Norway.

                14th         Deployed with HM Destroyer WOLSEY with Norwegian Corvettes to cover minesweeping

                                operations prior to allied occupation of Bergen. Deployed in Nore Command for support of

                                 reoccupation operations and local duties.

 

S p e c i a l   N o t e

 

This destroyer with a fit of armament very suited to convoy defence against sea and air attacks was amongst other unsung heroines of North Sea convoy escort. Many convoys arrived without loss but the dangers of operations in coastal waters as well as those of the enemy and weather were ever present.  Little publicity was given to these.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS WOLFHOUND was Paid off and reduced to Reserve status after VJ Day.  She was put on the Disposal List and sold to BISCO in February 1948 for demolition by Granton Shipbreakers. The ship was towed to the breakers yard at Granton on the Forth later that year.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS WOLFHOUND

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)