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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2
by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2004

HMS, later Norwegian HNorMS BATH (I 17) -  ex-US Destroyer
including Convoy Escort Movements

HMS Chelsea,Type B close sister-ship , then in USN service (click to enlarge)

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Type C  NEWPORT-Class destroyer Ex USS HOPEWELL built by Newport News shipbuilders and launched on 8 June 1918  She was placed in Reserve and transferred to the Royal Navy under the UK/USA Lease Lend Agreement signed in 1940. As with other ships of the Class she was named after  a town in the USA and one in UK. In this case a town in New York State and a city in Somerset.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s    

 

ATLANTIC 1941

 

 

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 4 0

 

September

 

23rd - Commissioned at Halifax.

 

29th - Took passage to Devonport with calls at St Johns, Newfoundland and Belfast.

 

October

 

Under refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport prior to service with 1st Minelaying Squadron at Kyle of Lochalsh (Port ZA). To be deployed as escort during minelaying operations in Home Waters and to be detached for convoy escort in Western Approaches Command when available.

 

November

 

Joined escort for military convoy WS4B during passage in NW Approaches.

 

8th to 14th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ST ALBANS and ST MARY'S as escort for HM Minelaying Cruiser to ADVENTURE in NW approaches to Irish Sea and subsequently with same ships for escort of all ships of Squadron during Operations SN43. SN44 and SN45.

 

18th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN3 in Northern Barrage. Joined Local Escort for military convoy WS4B with HM Destroyers ST ALBAN'S and ST MARY'S.

 

19th - Detached from WS4B in NW Approaches and returned to Port ZA.

 

26th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN11 in Northern Barrage

 

December

 

8th - Provided cover for ships of Squadron during Operation SN10A in Northern Barrage.

 

18th - Joined Local Escort for military convoys WS5A in Clyde with HMS ST ALBAN'S.

 

20th - Detached from WS5A with HMS ST ALBANS during passage in NW Approaches and returned to Clyde.

 

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

 

Deployed as part of escort for Troop Convoy TC8 in NW Approaches.

 

Passage to Chatham for refit.

 

February to March

 

Under refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham.

 

Transfer to Royal Norwegian Navy under discussion.

 

 

 W a r   S e r v i c e   a s   H  N o r  M S   B A T H

 

April

 

8th - Transferred to Royal Norwegian Navy. RN Name retained. Commissioned as HM Nor Ship BATH.

 

Nominated for deployment in Western Approaches Command for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

16th - Damaged in collision during post refit trials. Passage to Tyne for refit in commercial shipyard.

 

May

 

Under repair in commercial shipyard.

 

19th - Passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion of repairs.

 

June

 

5th - Joined 5th Escort Group at Liverpool on completion of work-up. Deployed for escort of convoys to and from Gibraltar.

 

July

 

Escort of OG and HG Series Convoys in continuation.

 

August

 

Joined escort of Convoy OG71 with ships of Group.

 

18th - Convoy under attacks by U204, U559 and U201. (See HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

 

19th - Hit by torpedo from U204 and sank quickly in position 48.30N 17.45W with heavy loss of life. (See above reference.)

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS BATH

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

 

 

 

 

 

16/12/40

unknown

TC 008

25/12/40

25/12/40

       
         

 and as HNorMS BATH

         

24/06/41

24/06/41

OG 066

29/06/41

08/07/41

08/06/41

29/06/41

SL 077

02/07/41

03/07/41

12/07/41

12/07/41

OG 068

18/07/41

26/07/41

24/07/41

25/07/41

OS 001

26/07/41

10/08/41

18/07/41

28/07/41

HG 068

02/08/41

02/08/41

13/08/41

13/08/41

OG 071

18/08/41

23/08/41

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

 

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revised 6/6/11
further editing is required