I-Class Fleet
Destroyer ordered from J. S. White at Cowes in
October 1935 under the 1935
Build Programme. The ship was laid down on 6th
January 1936 and launched on 17th December
1936 as the 7th RN warship to carry the name,
introduced in 1747 for
a French Prize. It was previously used for a
cruiser sunk at Zeebrugge in 1918. Build was
completed on 29th July
1937 and cost £258,965 which excluded
Admiralty supplied items such as weapons and
communications
equipment. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK
National Savings campaign in March 1942 she
was adopted by
the civil community of Uxbridge, then in the
county of Middlesex. This Class of destroyer
was designed for
use as minelayers. See BRITISH DESTROYERS by
E. March and Naval Staff (MINING) for more
information.
B a t t
l e H o n o u r s
MINORCA 1756
- AIX 1758 - LAGOS 1759 - QUIBERON
1759 - HAVANA 1762 - MARTINIQUE 1780 -
CHESAPEAKE 1781 - ST KITTS 1782 - TOULON
1793 - MARTINIQUE 1809 - ZEEBRUGGE 1918 -
ATLANTIC 1939-41 - DUNKIRK 1940 - NORWAY
1941-42 - BISMARCK Action
1941 - ARCTIC 1941-43 - MALTA CONVOYS
1942 - SICILY 1943 - SALERNO 1943 - AEGEAN
1943
H e r a l
d i c D a t a
Badge:
On a Field Red, a Lion Statant affronte Gold.
M o t t
o
Cela
va sans dire: 'That goes without saying
‘
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
Serving with 3rd Destroyer Flotilla,
Mediterranean Fleet.
3rd
On passage to Malta from Gibraltar.
11th
Transferred to Western Approaches for duty
with Anti-submarine Hunting Group.
17th
Deployed as part of escort for HM Aircraft
Carrier COURAGEOUS.
Detached for search for U-Boat reported by
merchant ship.
Returned to scene of sinking of HMS COURAGEOUS
18th
Took part in rescue of survivors.
October
Deployment in SW Approaches for Anti-submarine
duties in continuation.
14th
Participated in sinking of U45 SW of Ireland
in position 50.58N 12.67W with HM Destroyers
INGLEFIELD, ICARUS and IVANHOE.
21st
Joined 5th Destroyer Flotilla in Home Fleet to
provide A/S defence during move of major ships
of Home Fleet from Scapa Flow to Loch Ewe
after the sinking of HM Battleship ROYAL OAK
by U-Boat torpedo on 14th October.
November
Nominated for transfer to 20th Destroyer
Flotilla on formation for minelaying in Home
Waters.
14th
Taken in hand for refit and conversion to
minelaying role at Chatham.
December
13th
Joined Flotilla after trials with minelaying
equipment in the Solent.
17th
Carried out first minelaying task in Ems
Estuary with HM Destroyer IVANHOE
(Operation IB).
30th
Deployed with HMS IVANHOE for first minelay of
East Coast Barrier.
(Operation LA).
(For details of naval activities during 1939
see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY
by Corelli Barnett).
1
9 4 0
January
Deployed for minelaying operations in
Heligoland Bight with HMS IVANHOE.
2nd
Operation EW.
10th
Operation ID1.
13th
Operation ID2.
14th
Redeployed with Home Fleet for anti-submarine
duties in Moray Firth
February
Home Fleet screening and anti-submarine duties
in continuation.
14th
Searched for German tanker ALTMARK with HM
Cruiser ARETHUSA, HMS IVANHOE and
TRIBAL 4th Destroyer Flotilla.
15th
In company with HMS IVANHOE intercepted
ALTMARK which entered Josingfjord after
the intervention of Norwegian patrol craft.
Prevented from entry by Norwegian naval ships.
(Note: British personnel captured from
mercantiles sunk by commerce raiders were
rescued by
a Boarding Party from HM Destroyer COSSACK)
16th
Sighted German tanker BALDUR which promptly
scuttled.
18 of crew taken from lifeboat and made POW.
17th
Landed prisoners at
Leith.
18th
Deployed with ships of Flotilla for A/S patrol
in North Sea.
March
Home Fleet deployment with Flotilla in
continuation.
17th
Damaged in collision with trawler OCEAN DRIFT
which sank.
18th
Under temporary repairs at Invergordon.
22nd Taken
in hand for repair at Middlesbrough
April
Under repair.
27th
Rejoined Home Fleet and nominated for minelay
off Norway (Operation ZMB).
Mine rails to be converted to Narrow Gauge at
Immingham.
30th
During passage to Scapa Flow Operation ZMB
cancelled
May
Minelay duties with Flotilla in continuation.
6th
Rejoined Home Fleet with Broad Gauge mine
rails fitted.
9th
Norway minelaying operations cancelled because
of lack of air cover.
Diverted on passage to Immingham to lay
minefield in Heligoland Bight with H M
Destroyers
ESK and EXPRESS (Operation ZMC).
10th
Operation ZMC executed.
On completion escorted PRINCESS VICTORIA for
minelaying off Dutch coast
(Operation CBX).
11th
Returned to Immingham and embarked mines for
continuation of minelay in East Coast Barrier
in BS Series Operations with HMS ESK and HMS
EXPRESS.
12th
Operation BS3.
14th
Operation BS4.
15th
Diverted to lay additional field off Dutch
coast with HM Destroyer IMPULSIVE.
16th
Completed minelay alone after HMS IMPULSIVE
had to return with boiler defects.
(Operation CBX2).
17th
Resumed Operations in BS Series with rest of
Flotilla.
Escorted PRINCESS VICTORIA during lay and
returned independently to Humber.
(Note: Did not take part in rescue work when
HMS PRINCESS VICTORIA sank after
detonating a mine.)
21st
Continued East Coast Barrier minelays with
Flotilla.
Operation BS6 completed.
23rd
Operation BS7.
25th
Operation BS8.
27th
Operation BS9.
28th
Re-deployed for duty at Dover to assist with
evacuation at Dunkirk and support against fire
from shore.
(Operation DYNAMO - For details see Naval
Staff History).
29th
Rescued survivors from ss MONA'S QUEEN on
passage to beaches.
Embarked 661 troops from pier at Dunkirk and
took passage to Dover.
30th
Damaged in air attack at Dunkirk with some
casualties.
Landed wounded at Dover.
June
2nd
Taken in hand for repair at Middlesbrough.
13th
Rejoined Flotilla to continue Operation BS
Series with H M Auxiliary Minelayer TEVIOT
BANK and HM Coastal Minelayer PLOVER.
Carried cut Operation BS14.
16th
Operation BS15 with HMS EXPRESS.
19th
Escorted minelayers with HMS ESK (Operation
BS16)
.
22nd
Carried out minelay with HMS ICARUS, escorted
by HMS ESK and HMS IMPULSIVE.
(Operation BS17).
25th
Repeated BS17 minelay (Operation BS18).
29th
Carried out minelay with HMS EXPRESS and HMS
ICARUS (Operation BS19).
July
7th
Escorted minelayers with HMS ESK (Operation
BS22).
21st
Carried out minelay with Flotilla, except HMS
IVANHOE (Operation BS26).
24th
Escorted minelayers with HMS ICARUS and HMS
IMPULSIVE (Operation BS27).
26th
Carried out minelay with Flotilla escorted by
Light Coastal Forces craft.
(Operation BS28).
30th
Escorted HMS PLOVER and m Dutch Minelayer VAN
DER ZAAN for minelay with
HMS ESK (Operation BS29).
August
2nd
Carried out minelay with Flotilla, HMS PLOVER
and Dutch VAN DER ZAAN.
(Operation BS30).
6th
Although assigned to anti-invasion patrol duty
deployed on lay of an additional field
off Dutch coast with Flotilla, except HMS
IVANHOE (Operation CBX4).
7th
Transferred to Dover Command for laying of
anti-invasion minefields.
(Operations MP1a and MP1b).
(Note: Use of destroyers was preferred instead
off using slower converted merchant ships.)
12th
Resumed Operations in BS Series with Flotilla.
13th
Escorted HMS PLOVER and Dutch VAN DER ZAAN
with HMS IMPULSIVE
(Operation BS31).
16th
Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK with HMS IMPULSIVE
(Operation BS32).
28th
Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK, HMS PLOVER and Dutch
VAN DER ZAAN with HMS
ESK and HMS ICARUS (Operation BS36)
31st
Deployed with HM Destroyers IVANHOE, ESK,
EXPRESS and ICARUS for further minelay
off Dutch coast (Operation CBX5).
After recovery of lost paravane rejoined force
in new position.
(Note: The delay caused avoided this ship
becoming involved in the disastrous mining.
HMS EXPRESS, HMS ESK and HM S IVANHOE
detonated mines.
Remained outside mined area with HMS ICARUS.
Returned to Humber. For full details see Naval
Staff History -MINING).
September
Resumed minelaying near Goodwins based at
Dover with HMS ICARUS and IMPULSIVE.
3rd
Operation MS(a).
5th
Operation MS(b).
6th
Transferred to anti-invasion patrol and escort
duties.
October
Deployed for Anti-invasion patrol and escort
in Nore Command.
28th
Resumed East Coast Barrier minelays in BS
Series.
Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK and HMS PLOVER
(Operation BS43).
November
2nd
Sustained significant structural damage to
propulsion machinery when detonating a mine
off
Hartlepool during outward passage as escort
for HMS TEVIOT BANK and HMS PLOVER
for minelay in East Coast Barrage. (Operation
BS44).
Ship disabled and taken in tow to Hartlepool.
3rd
Taken in hand for repair at Hartlepool.
December
Under repair.
20th
Rejoined Flotilla on completion.
1
9 4 1
January
8th
Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK for minelay in East
Coast Barrage (Operation BS48).
12th
Escorted HMS TEVIOT BANK for test lay with
M<m mine off Humber estuary.
(Operation BS49).
21st
Nominated for Home Fleet minelaying operation
off Fro Havet, Norway (Operation EA).
Passage to Scapa Flow,
26th
Carried cut successful trial with HM Submarine
SEALION using ASDIC Beacon as a
navigational mark.
February
2nd
Passage to Norway for minelay with HM Cruisers
ARETHUSA and AURORA screened
by HM Destroyers MATABELE and TARTAR.
(Note: Operation EA was cancelled on passage
due to weather conditions.).
11th
Re-deployed for minelaying off French coast
with HMS ICARUS.
20th
Carried out minelay off Brest escorted by
ships of 5th Destroyer Flotilla. (Operation
GS).
22nd
Carried out minelay off He de Bas with HMS
IMPULSIVE, escorted by MTB's
26th
Carried out lay of magnetic mines off Cap
D'Antifer with HM Destroyers ICARUS and
IMPULSIVE escorted by HM Destroyers VANSITTART
and WIVERN (Operation JL).
March
Minelaying duties in Channel in continuation.
20th
Carried out minelay from Dartmouth to position
off lie de Bas escorted by ships of 5th
Destroyer Flotilla and four ML's (Operation
GU).
22nd
Carried out minelay between Le Havre and
Cherbourg, escorted by H M Destroyers FERNIE,
TYNEDALE and CLEVELAND with additional cover
(Operation JN)
28th
Laid minefield off Brest escorted by 5th
Destroyer Flotilla (Operation GX).
31st
Repeated minelay off Brest (Operation GZ).
April
Minelaying duties in Channel in continuation.
8th
Carried out minelay alone on Le Havre to
Cherbourg shipping route to hinder use by
German
warships. Escorted by HM Escort Destroyers
CLEVELAND and HMS FERNIE.
(Operation JO).
12th
Planned minelay west of Ushant cancelled
(Operation HA)
20th
Carried cut minelay off Triagoz, Brittany with
HMS ICARUS and HMS IMPULSIVE.
(Operation HB in place of Operation HA),
21st
Withdrawn from minelaying operations.
Nominated for Fleet duties 3rd Destroyer
Flotilla, Home Fleet.
Took passage to Immingham for conversion
26th
Converted in commercial shipyard at Immingham.
(Note: After torpedo tubes and guns refitted.)
On completion returned to Scapa Flow to join
Flotilla.
May
Deployed with Flotilla in Home Fleet.
6th
Part of escort for ships of 1st Minelaying
Squadron with HM Destroyers BRIGHTON
and ST MARY'S during Northern Barrage minelay
in Faeroes-Iceland Gap. (Operation SN9A).
16th
Deployed for anti-submarine escort duties in
North Atlantic based at Hvalfjord, Iceland.
Joined escort for Convoy HX125 to reinforce
defence.
(See U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and
SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann
for details of deployments of escorts and
submarines in 1941.)
23rd
Deployed with screen for Home Fleet units
during search for German battleship BISMARCK
in NW Approaches
24th
Detached to refuel in Iceland.
Return delayed by engine defects.
27th
Rejoined Fleet screen after sinking of
BISMARCK.
June
Returned to Scapa Flow with Fleet.
(Note: Home Fleet destroyers came under air
attacks on return passage.)
5th
Taken in hand for repair at Hull commercial
shipyard.
15th
On completion rejoined Flotilla at Scapa Flow.
22nd
Deployed with screen for Home Fleet units
covering air operations by HM Aircraft
Carriers
FURIOUS and VICTORIOUS on Kirkenes and Petsamo
(Operation EF).
During return passage rating died after
serious injury on deck in bad weather.
July
Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in
continuation.
August
Home Fleet duties with Flotilla in
continuation.
Nominated for refit and took passage to
Thames.
9th
Deployed with HM Destroyers BULLDOG,
CASTLETON, CHARLESTOWN, ECHO,
WHITEHALL, WINCHELSEA and WITCH as escort for
Convoy WS8C during passage
from Clyde to Scapa Flow (Operation
PILGRIM-originally TONIC)
(Note: This convoy of 18 ships including
Landing Ships, loaded Troopships, MT Ships and
RFA Tankers was to wait at Scapa Flow pending
a political decision to carry out
occupation of the Azores for use as a forward
base for ships and aircraft providing
defence for Atlantic shipping
10th
Arrived at Scapa Flow with WS8C
15th
Operation cancelled and sailed from Scapa Flow
as escort for return passage of WS8C
to Clyde with HM Destroyers ANTELOPE,
CASTLETON, CHARLESTOWN. ,DOUGLAS,
GEORGETOWN, LEAMINGTON and SALADIN.
Nominated for refit and took passage to Thames
29th
Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard
at Tilbury.
September
Under refit.
October
Carried out harbour trials
25th
Rejoined Flotilla and worked up at Scapa Flow
for operational service.
November
Deployed off Iceland for anti-submarine
submarine support of Atlantic convoys..
Nominated for escort of Russian convoy during
passage from Iceland to Murmansk.
14th
Escorted Russian Convoy PQ3 with HM Cruiser
KENYA and HM Destroyer BEDOUIN.
24th
Participated in bombardment of enemy positions
at Vardo during offensive sweep
with HMS KENYA, HMS BEDOUIN and two Russian
destroyers.
(For details of all Russian Convoys see
CONVOY! by P Kemp, CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by
RA Ruegg, ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman and THE
RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B
Schoefield.)
28th
Deployed with escort for returning Convoy OP3
with HMS BEDOUIN.
December
2nd
Detached from QP3 to join HM destroyers OFFA
and ONSLOW as screen for HM Cruisers
BERWICK and KENYA returning to UK with RAF
personnel from Murmansk.
7th
Resumed duty with Home Fleet in Flotilla.
Took passage to Murmansk to join screen for HM
Cruiser KENT during return passage
to UK
25th
At Murmansk for escort of HM Cruiser KENT with
Foreign Secretary embarked.
29th
Arrived at Scapa Flow with HMS KENT.
1
9 4 2
January
Home Fleet deployment in continuation.
February
Nominated for Russian Convoy escort.
5th
Deployed as screen for HM Cruiser NIGERIA with
HM Destroyer FAULKNOR to provide
cover for passage of Convoy PQ9/10.
10th
Detached with HMS FAULKNOR to join returning
convoy QP7.
15th
Detached from QP7 and resumed Home Fleet
duties with Flotilla.
March
1st
Part of Home Fleet screen during cover of
Russian Convoy PQ12 and return Convoy QP8.
11th
Took part in unsuccessful search off Norway
with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, ICARUS,
FURY, BEDOUIN, ESKIMO and TARTAR in intercept
German battleship TIRPITZ after air
attacks by HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS on
9th March.
Nominated for refit and took passage to
Humber.
24th
Taken in hand for refit in commercial shipyard
at Grimsby.
April
Under refit.
30th
On completion of post refit trials took
passage to Scapa Flow and joined 3rd Destroyer
Flotilla.
May
3rd
Sailed from
Scapa Flow
with HM Destroyer ECHO, US Destroyers USS LANG
and USS
STERETT as screen for US aircraft carrier USS
WASP during Atlantic passage to Gibraltar
with aircraft for delivery Malta (Operation
BOWERY).
8th
Passage to Malta as Force W for screening of
USS WASP with same destroyers.
Joined by HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruiser
CHARYBDIS, HM Destroyers VIDETTE,
PARTRIDGE, ITHURIEL, WESTCOTT, WISHART,
WRESTLER and ANTELOPE with
HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Destroyers
GEORGETOWN, SALISBURY for delivery of
17 aircraft to
Malta
not carried out previously.
9th
On completion of launch of aircraft returned
to Gibraltar and took passage to rejoin Home
Fleet.
10th
Passage to Scapa Flow with HMS RENOWN and
destroyers detached from Home Fleet for this
Operation.
For details see MALTA CONVOYS and Naval Staff
History.)
15th
Resumed Home Fleet deployment
23rd
Part of screen for HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK,
US battleship USS WASHINGTON, HMS
VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser LONDON and US cruiser
WICHITA with eight other destroyers
from Home Fleet and four US Navy destroyers
providing Distant Cover for passage of Russian
Convoy PQ16 and returning QP12.
31st
Diverted to carry cut anti-submarine search
after U-Boat threat reported by HM Destroyer
NEWARK to minelaying operation in Denmark
Strait by ships of the 1st Minelaying Squadron
covered by HM Cruiser MANCHESTER (Operation
SNJ2).
No contact made. Later it was established
there was no German submarine in area
June
2nd
Independent passage to Murmansk.
26th
Joined escorted of returning Convoy OP 13 with
HM Destroyer INGLEFIELD.
July
3rd
Detached from QP13 and took passage to embark
ammunition and spares for escorts held at
Murmansk to await sailing of next return
convoy
(Note: This had been delayed after the
disastrous dispersal of previous Convoy PQ17.
See above references.)
Made independent passage to Murmansk with HMS
INGLEFIELD
Embarked passengers including survivors from
HM Cruiser EDINBURGH for return.
August
Nominated for detached service in support of
Malta
relief operation.
5th
Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESIGHT, FURY,
ICARUS, LAFOREY, LIGHTNING,
VANSITTART, VANSITTART, WESTCOTT and WRESTLER
as screen for HM
Aircraft Carriers ARGUS, EAGLE, INDOMITABLE,
VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers PHOEBE
and SIRIUS during special exercises in
Atlantic to carry out procedures for Fighter
Direction
and air defence during planned Malta relief
operation (Exercise BERSERK)
(Note: HMS ARGUS was deployed for provision of
support during exercise)
8th
On completion of exercise took passage to
refuel at Gibraltar with BERSERK ships, except
HMS ARGUS, prior to joining military Convoy
WS21 for screening duties during passage
to Malta.
11th
Joined WS21S as part of Force Z and under
submarine attack during which HMS EAGLE was
torpedoed and sunk.
Took part in rescue of 22 survivors from HMS
EAGLE.
Under heavy and sustained air attacks during
which HMS INDOMITABLE was damaged.
12th
Transferred to Force X which was to escort
WS21 ships through Sicilian Narrows when Force
Z remained to the west of Pantellaria
(Note: Other ships in Force Z were:
HM Cruisers CAIRO, KENYA, MANCHESTER and
NIGERIA.
HM Destroyers ASHANTI, FURY, ICARUS,
PATHFINDER, PENN, BICESTER,
WILTON, LEDBURY, WILTON and BRAMHAM
For details of the valiant and successful
defence of this convoy and the price paid see
PEDESTAL by Peter C Smith, MALTA CONVOYS and
Naval Staff History.).
13th
Deployed in minesweeping role ahead of convoy
during transit of Narrows.
Under attacks by Torpedo Boats
(Note: Threat of attack by Italian Cruiser
Squadron never materialised.)
Detached from WS21S on arrival off Grand
Harbour and returned with surviving warships
of
Force X to rejoin Force Z waiting off Algiers.
14th
Rejoined Force Z off Bougie.
15th
Arrived at Gibraltar with Force Z
19th
Passage to Scapa Flow to rejoin Home Fleet.
September
Rejoined Flotilla in Home Fleet for Russian
Convoy duty.
Present at Scapa Flow for visit by Prime
Minister prior to deployment.
9th
Part of Force B in the Fighting Escort for
Convoy PQ18 with HM Destroyers MILNE,
MARTIN, METEOR, FAULKNOR, FURY and IMPULSIVE
for passage to Kola Inlet.
17th
Detached from PQ18 with Fighting Escort and
joined returning Convoy QP14.
21st
Took part in anti-submarine attacks with HM
Destroyer ESKIMO after HM Destroyer
SOMALI was torpedoed. Remained with HMS SOMALI
during tow by HMS ASHANTI.
24th
Assisted in rescue of survivors when HMS
SOMALI sank.
October
Home Fleet deployment in continuation.
13th
Detached to embark Medical unit for passage to
Archangel with HM Cruiser ARGONAUT and
HM Destroyer OBDURATE.
Returned with RAF aircrew.
November
Nominated for escort of return Convoy QP15
from Archangel
(Note: This was the final QP series convoy and
departure had been delayed by lack of suitable
escorts for an inward convoy due to the
extensive commitments to provide support for
landings in North Africa (Operation TORCH)
Passage to meet QP15 with HM Destroyers ECHO,
FAULKNOR, ICARUS and IMPULSIVE.
(Note: Cruiser Cover was provided by HM
Cruisers SUFFOLK and NORFOLK with
destroyer screen and three submarines were
deployed to intercept any attempt to attack
by German warships based at Altenfjord .
20th
Joined QP 15 and relieved Local Escort from
Archangel.
Formed Ocean Escort with HM AA Ship
ULSTER
QUEEN. HM Minesweeper SALAMANDER
and four corvettes which had escorted convoy
from Archangel with two Russian destroyers.
22nd HMS
ECHO detached on relief by HM Destroyers
LEDBURY and MIDDLETON.
23rd
HM Destroyers MUSKETEER, ORWELL and OAKLEY
joined Ocean Escort..
26th
Detached from Ocean Escort with HM Destroyers
FAULKNOR, ICARUS and IMPULSIVE
(Note: Ships may have required to refuel as
they did not rejoin QP15)
December
Nominated for refit at commercial shipyard and
took passage to Humber.
2nd
Taken in hand.
1
9 4 3
January
Under refit.
17th
On completion of post refit trials took
passage to Scapa Flow to join 8th Destroyer
Flotilla
February
Nominated for screening of Home Fleet ships
providing cover for Russian Convoy passage.
7th
Part of destroyer screen for Hone Fleet units
on passage to Iceland.
21st
Escorted HM Cruiser SCYLLA with HM Destroyers
ECLIPSE, IMPULSIVE, FURY and
Polish ORKAN to reinforce escort of Russian
Convoy JW53
27th
Detached from JW53
March
1st
Joined escort for return Convoy RA53 with HM
Cruiser SCYLLA and HM Destroyers
OBEDIENT and OBDURATE.
7th
Detached from RA53 with same ships and
returned to Scapa Flow.
18th
Escorted HM Destroyer MILNE from Scrabster
carrying King George VI to visit Home
Fleet at Scapa Flow.
April
Detached with ships of Flotilla for temporary
duty as 4th Escort Group in Western
Approaches for Atlantic convoy defence.
Escorted HM Cruiser BELFAST during patrol in
Denmark Strait.
May
Returned to Scapa Flow as escort for HM
Battleship ANSON.
Atlantic convoy support in continuation with
Group.
June
Resumed Home Fleet duties with Flotilla.
5th
Attended National Savings Campaign event at
Lerwick.
17th
Redeployed with 8th Destroyer Flotilla ships
and nominated for service in Mediterranean.
Escorted Home Fleet units on passage to
Gibraltar for Sicily landing (Operation HUSKY)
23rd
Deployed in Western Mediterranean as screen
for Fleet units.
July
Detached for duty in Eastern Mediterranean for
escort of Fleet units covering passage of
military convoys to Sicily.
7th
Sailed from Alexandria
9th
Joined screen for HM Battleships NELSON,
RODNEY, WARSPITE and VALIANT,
HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE and
FORMIDABLE deployed with cruisers and
destroyers to prevent interference by Italian
fleet during landings.
12th
Escorted HMS WARSPITE to Malta to refuel and
for return for gunfire support.
13th
Deployed for patrol and naval gunfire support
duties off Sicily
August
Support of military operations in
continuation.
September
2nd
Part of escort for HMS WARSPITE and HMS
VALIANT during bombardment of
Calabrian coast before British landings on
mainland of Italy (Operation BAYTOWN).
9th
Deployed with Force H for screening duties
during assault at Salerno
(Operation AVALANCHE).
10th
Escorted HMS WARSPITE and HMS VALIANT to meet
surrendered Italian Fleet and
make a triumphant entry into Malta.
12th
Deployed for support of landings at Salerno.
16th
Transferred Levant Command with Flotilla to
reinforce defence of Aegean islands against
German operations after Italian surrender.
17th
Intercepted convoy off Stampalia and sank
submarine chaser UJ2104.
18th
Embarked man of 1st Durham Light Infantry at
Haifa for passage to Leros.
Took passage from Leros to Alexandria for
transport troops and stores to Leros.
19th
Passage to Leros from Alexandria.
21st
Returned to Alexandria with HM Destroyer ECHO
25th
Sailed from Alexandria for interception of
convoys in Aegean.
Diverted to Leros whilst on passage
26th
Under air attack at Port Laki, Leros.
Bomb hit amidships caused major damage in
Boiler Rooms and disabled ship.
Moved to anchor in less vulnerable position to
effect repairs.
In subsequent air raid hit aft and stem blown
off.
Ship abandoned and took in water.
27th
Capsized and sank. 15 of ship’s company were
killed.
Survivors were taken to Beirut
S
p e c i a l N o t e
Attention is drawn to the book INTREPID
by George Mack
which is an account of the war service
of this ship. In 1964 the name INTREPID
was
carried forward for the seventh time when
given to the
Assault Ship HMS INTREPID. She is still
currently is service but will be replaced by
HMS OCEAN.
Addendum
CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS INTREPID
by
Don Kindell
This convoy list has not been cross-checked
with the text above
|
|
|
|
|
Date
convoy sailed
|
Joined
convoy as escort
|
Convoy
No.
|
Left
convoy
|
Date
convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
27/09/39
|
27/09/39
|
MB
008/1
|
28/09/39
|
28/09/39
|
01/10/39
|
01/10/39
|
DB
010
|
02/10/39
|
02/10/39
|
26/09/39
|
05/10/39
|
HG
001
|
06/10/39
|
06/10/39
|
21/06/41
|
26/06/41
|
TC
011
|
30/06/41
|
30/06/41
|
02/07/41
|
02/07/41
|
OB
341A
|
07/07/41
|
18/07/41
|
09/11/41
|
14/11/41
|
PQ
003
|
20/11/41
|
22/11/41
|
27/11/41
|
28/11/41
|
QP
003
|
02/12/41
|
12/12/41
|
01/02/42
|
05/02/42
|
PQ
009
|
10/02/42
|
10/02/42
|
12/02/42
|
13/02/42
|
QP
007
|
15/02/42
|
15/02/42
|
01/03/42
|
06/03/42
|
PQ
012
|
11/03/42
|
12/03/42
|
21/05/42
|
23/05/42
|
PQ
016
|
29/05/42
|
30/05/42
|
21/05/42
|
23/05/42
|
QP
012
|
29/05/42
|
29/05/42
|
26/06/42
|
26/06/42
|
QP
013
|
07/07/42
|
07/07/42
|
02/09/42
|
09/09/42
|
PQ
018
|
17/09/42
|
21/09/42
|
13/09/42
|
17/09/42
|
QP
014
|
21/09/42
|
26/09/42
|
17/11/42
|
20/11/42
|
QP
015
|
26/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
15/02/43
|
21/02/43
|
JW
053
|
27/02/43
|
27/02/43
|
01/03/43
|
01/03/43
|
RA
053
|
07/03/43
|
14/03/43
|
28/07/43
|
30/07/43
|
KMF
020A
|
31/07/43
|
unknown
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)
|