LOCH
Class
Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered from Harland
and Wolff at Belfast on 2nd
February 1943 and intended to be built at
Liverpool. this was later cancelled
and the ship was laid down on 30th May 1944 at
Belfast as Admiralty Job Number
J3391 (YARD No, 1249) and was to be named LOCH
LYDOCH. However .after a policy
change to meet the need for anti-aircraft
escorts for service in the Far East
the contract was changed and completion to a
revision design for the BAY Class
was required. She was launched as HMS ST
AUSTELL BAY in 18th November 1944 as
the first Royal Navy ship to carry the name.
Build was completed on 29th May
1945. See General Information . for details of
design changes.
G
e o g r a p h i
c D a t a
Bay
on south coast of Cornwall adjacent to town of
ST AUSTELL
some
28 miles west of Plymouth.
Grid
Reference: SX0650.
H
e r
a l d i
c D a
t a
Badge:
On a Field Red.,
a saltire couped
ragulee Gold.
(Explanation:
Ship's
suggestion from the saltire
used
by the Town of St. Austell
M
o t t
o
In
omnia
promptus:
'Ready for anything'
M
a n n
i n g
D i v i
s i
o n
Devonport
S
u m m
a r y 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 4
5
May
Contractor's
trials.
5th
Commissioned for trials.
Commanding Officer: Lieut. Commander HJ Lee
DSC, Royal Navy
29th
Build completion and commenced Acceptance
Trials
(Note: Nominated for
service in East
Indies for Malayan landings and the Pacific
Fleet Train).
June
On completion of trials took passage to
Devonport to prepare for foreign service.
to
(Note: Additional Oerlikon guns fitted to
supplement AA defence)
July.
Took passage to Malta to work up for
operational service..
August
Deployed as part of 33rd Escort Group, 66th
Division with HM Frigates CARDIGAN BAY,
ST BRIDES BAY and START BAY.
15th
Work-up suspended when Far East requirements
lapsed.
Transferred to Gibraltar and took passage to
join Gibraltar Local Flotilla
September.
Deployed with Flotilla at Gibraltar.
to
Carried out air-sea rescue and weather
reporting duties in support of US aircraft
flights from
October
Paris to Azores.
November
Returned to Malta for patrol and Fleet duties
in Adriatic with Flotilla.
Passage to Adriatic for Guardship duties at
Trieste and Pola.
Arrived at Trieste in severe gale conditions.
1
9 4 6
January
Adriatic Guardship and patrol duties in
continuation.
to
R&R periods in Venice.
February
Returned to Malta for Flotilla duties.
March
Passage to Gibraltar for refit.
25th
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard
Gibraltar.
April
Under refit
to
May
June
Carried out harbour trials
29th
Carried out post refit sea trials.
July
On completion took passage to resume Flotilla
duties in Malta.
August
Flotilla re-designated 5th Escort Flotilla.
16th
Deployed in Aegean based at Phaleron Bay for
Patrol in support of military.
Took Rear Admiral Talbot and Head of Military
Mission (Lt Gen Clark) to Timos.
Damaged in collision after anchor dragged at
Times.
Returned to Piraeus after call at Spetsai and
repaired damage.
Greek Naval unrest evident.
26th
Return passage to Malta.
September
Deployed in Adriatic for patrol and Guardship
duties at Pola.
New Commanding Officer: Commander M E
Hardy RN.
October
Following visits to Naples, and Savona went to
Civitta Vechia
(Note: In a tragic
accident one seaman
was killed and others injured.
Italian port guards fired on a
lorry leaving docks
area without
any authorising pass.
Funeral attended by local
civic authorities
amid much distress within the community.)
27th
After HM Destroyers SAUMAREZ and VOLAGE were
mined in Corfu Straits on
26th October
took part in increased surveillance
activities by Fleet units from
Malta.
November
Deployed with Flotilla in Malta.
December
4th
Deployed for surveillance and interception of
ships carrying illegal immigrants to Palestine
to
(Haifa Patrol).
29th
Based at Famagusta.
30th
Returned to Malta.
1
9 4 7
January
Nominated for further Haifa Patrol and took
passage to Famagusta
24th
Haifa Patrol in continuation.
(Note: Among ships intercepted were ss FLYING
ENTERPRISE and EMPIRE WELCOME.
(Later this ship achieved fame when wrecked in
English Channel).
Frigates deployed for this unpalatable task
were fitted with special protective screens
to deflect missiles thrown from ships
boarded).
February
Haifa Patrol in continuation.
March
Nominated for special operation
Took passage to Aden
Deployed with HM Frigate WIDEMOUTH BAY at Men
and assisted with escort of AFD22
and AFD35 under tow to Malta by seven tugs
(Operation SNOW WHITE)
April
Operation SNOW WHITE in continuation.
May
17th
On completion of SNOW WHITE carried out Boiler
cleaning in Malta.
June
Deployed at Piraeus for Haifa Patrol.
July
Deployed for patrol and Guardship duties in
Adriatic.
August
7th
Returned to Malta.
18th
Passage to Trieste for Adriatic patrol and
Guardship duties at Pola.
September
Deployed for Haifa Patrol.
October
Under refit in Malta.
to
December
1
9 4 8
January
Deployed on Haifa
Patrol in eastern
Mediterranean.
to
(See above Note).
April
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes
changed to F634
May
Maintenance and routine docking on return to
Malta
June
Resumed Flotilla duties and took part in Fleet
Visits and Exercise programme.
to
Deployed in
Aegean
for Haifa patrol duties.
September
November
Eastern Mediterranean duties with Flotilla in
continuation.
Visited Mykoni, Rhodes, Leros, Santorin and
Suda Bay.
18th
Passage to Malta from Phaleron Bay.
24th
Took part in Flotilla exercises.
December
Flotilla deployment in continuation.
1
9 4 9
January
9th
Passage to Famagusta for duties in eastern
Mediterranean.
18th
Return passage to Malta with HM Frigate ST
BRIDES BAY.
25th
Took part in Flotilla exercises.
February
12th
Passage to Port Said with HM Sloop PEACOCK.
18th
Deployed as Guardship at Aqaba.
23rd
Local dignitary embarked for firing
demonstration.
March
1st
Took passage to Famagusta from Aqaba.
4th
Deployed in eastern Mediterranean.
12th
Passage to Port Said.
24th
Took passage from Port Said for Malta with HMS
PEACOCK.
25th
Diverted to Famagusta for tow of Landing Craft
(Tank).
29th
Passage to Malta with landing craft in tow.
April
New Commanding Officer: Commander NJ
Scarlett-Streatfield
4th
Arrived in Malta and resumed Flotilla duties.
20th
Took part in Flotilla exercises till 30th
April.
May
4th
Took part in Flotilla and Fleet exercises.
16th
Passage to Phaleron Bay for patrol and visits
programme.
18th
Visited Volos, Salonika and Lemnos.
to
31st
June
1st
Eastern Mediterranean patrol and visits in
continuation.
to
Visited Piraeus, Syros, Mykonis, Navarino,
Sada Bay and Fhaleron Bay.
17th
18th
Passage to Malta from Navarino.
20th
Met HM Frigate MOUNTS BAY for exercises before
entry into Malta,
21st
Resumed Flotilla duties.
July
4th
Passage to Navarino.
8th
Took part in Mediterranean Fleet exercises.
14th
Passage to Malta after Fleet Regatta.
On arrival took passage to Gibraltar.
19th
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Gibraltar.
August
Under refit.
1st
Routine docking.
Ships company visited Malaga.
September
Carried out post refit trials.
14th
Passage to Tangiers for visit.
22nd
Returned to Gibraltar for repair of defects.
On completion took passage to Aranci Bay to
rejoin Flotilla.
28th
Visited Bone with HM Sloops PEACOCK AND
MERMAID.
October
4th
Visited Bizerta with HM Sloops PELICAN, MAGPIE
and MERMAID.
Berthed in French Naval Base.
10th
Passage to Malta with HMS PELICAN and carried
out exercises
12th
Returned to Malta.
November
Flotilla exercises in continuation at
Malta.
29th
Beam Stores Replenishment at Sea trials with
HM Royal Fleet Auxiliary BULAWAYO.
(Note: This trial included 'alongside'
replenishment for stores.
Beam refuelling was not carried cut.
December
2nd
Took part in Exercise SWIFT with Flotilla
including HMS VERYAN BAY, HMS MERMAID
and HM Frigate SURPRISE.
4th
Passage to Trieste for Adriatic patrol and
Guardship duty.
13th
Original Deck Log for November lost overboard
in bad weather.
16th
Visited Venice.
19th
Return passage to Malta.
1
9 5 0
January
11th
Took part in Fleet exercises including AA
Firings, anti0submarine procedures, convoy
defence
to
and abeam replenishment
27th
February
2nd
Passage to Port Said with HMS MAGPIE.
8th
Passage from Suez Canal to Aqaba.
9th
Relieved HM Destroyer CHIVALROUS as Guardship
at Aqaba.
March
6th
Took passage to Malta on relief at Aqaba.
12th
On arrival in Malta docked for refit period.
23rd
Undocked for special duty.
26th
Deployed in Gulf of Genoa for Air-Sea Rescue
duty during Royal Flight taking HRH
Princess
Elizabeth to Malta.
April
Completed refit.
4th
Resumed Flotilla duties.
to
Took part in Flotilla and Fleet exercises.
26th
Detached from 5th Frigate Flotilla for loan
service with Royal New Zealand Navy.
(Note: HMS VERYAN BAY and HMS ST AUSTELL BAY
were exchanged with HMNZS
HAWEA and HMNZS TAUPO for 6 months).
Took passage with HMS VERYAN BAY for Auckland,
New Zealand.
May
2nd
Called at Massawa in Red Sea.
10th
Aden.
23rd
At Trincomalee.
27th
Took -passage from Trincomalee to Cocos
Islands.
HMS VERYAN BAY detached.
30th
Crossing the Line ceremony.
June
2nd
At Cocos Islands.
5th
Passage from Cocos to Freemantle.
10th
Rendezvous with HMS VERYAN BAY.
12th
At Fremantle.
23rd
At Hobart. Open to visitors
and exchanged calls with civic authorities.
26th
Took passage to Auckland with HMS VERYAN BAY.
July
3rd
Arrived at Auckland and joined 11th Frigate
Flotilla, RNZN.
15th
Passage to Port Lyttleton and Wellington.
24th
Returned to Auckland from Wellington.
Took part in exercises with HMNZ Cruiser
BELLONA and HMS VERYAN BAY.
August
7th
Deployed with RNZN ships for exercises in
Haukari Gulf.
HM Submarine THOROUGH was deployed for
anti-submarine serials.
15th
On completion took passage to Auckland with
call at Port Fitzroy.
23rd
Sailed for South Pacific patrol with
passengers and stores.
25th
At Raoul, Sunday Island in Kermadec Group.
26th
Passage from Raoul to Friendly Islands with
call at Nuie Island.
September
1st
Crossed International Date Line and date not
used.
2nd
Arrived at Nukualofi, Tonga.
Official calls exchanged with Prime Minister
.
Open to visitors.
5th
Took passage to Auckland with call at Raoul.
9th
Arrived at Auckland.
11th
Passage to Dunedin with calls at Napier and
Wellington.
18th
Arrived at Dunedin and embarked stores for
Macquarie Island.
22nd Took
passage to Macquarie Island in Southern Ocean
(Position 54.23S, 159.26E)
25th
Disembarked stores and sailed for return
passage to Auckland via west coast.
to
Calls made at Supper Cove (Dusky Sound) and
Milford Sound.
30th
October
1st
At Westport.
Open to visitors.
4th
Resumed passage to Auckland with call at
Whangaroa.
10th
Arrived at Auckland.
11th
Took part in exercises with HMS VERYAN BAY off
Port Fitzroy.
20th
On completion of exercises at Auckland to
prepare for return passage with HMS
VERYAN BAY
to
Embarked one Ton of cyanide for disposal on
passage.
28th
Took passage to Cairns.
30th
Dumped poisonous material in Pacific Ocean
during passage.
November
1st
Passage to Cairns, Queensland, Australia.
7th
Sailed for Singapore with call at Darwin.
14th
Exercised with aircraft during passage.
22nd
Arrived at Singapore.
26th
Took passage to Trincomalee.
December
3rd
Arrived at Trincomalee.
CinC East Indies visited ship.
8th
Sailed for Malta from Trincomalee with HM Boom
Defence Vessel BARLANE.
18th
At Aden.
20th
Passage to Suez with call at Port Sudan. HMS
BARLANE in tow.
29th
Tow slipped for canal transit.
30th
Passage to Malta towing HMS BARLANE.
1
9 5 1
January
4th
Arrived in Malta and rejoined Flotilla,
7th
Captain transferred to hospital.
(Note: First Lieutenant, Lt Cdr. J L Rathbone
may have taken command).
9th
Took passage to Gibraltar for refit.
12th
Taken in hand for refit.
February
Under refit.
March
1st
Carried out post
refit trials.
9th
Took passage from Gibraltar to Devonport with
HM Frigate LOCH INSH.
Took part in Exercise STINKING FISH with Home
Fleet ships on passage..
15th
At Devonport preparing for service in 7th
Frigate Flotilla, Home Fleet.
April
9th
Re-commissioned.
Commanding Officer: Captain DC Ingram, CBE,
DSC Royal Navy
Senior Officer, 7th Frigate Flotilla.
17th
Deployed with Home Fleet ships in search for
missing submarine HMS AFFRAY.
19th
Called at Portland en passage from search area
to return to Devonport.
25th
Return passage to Portland for work-up.
May
Work-up in continuation.
16th
Passage to Londonderry for anti-submarine
exercises.
22nd On
completion passage to Fleetwood for official
visit.
Open to visitors.
Calls exchanged with civic authorities.
27th
Took passage to join Home Fleet Convoy
exercise in SW Approaches.
(Note: Phase 7 of Exercise PROGRESS.
Other ships taking part included HM Cruiser
SWIFTSURE, HM Destroyer AGINCOURT
and HMS VERYAN BAY).
June
7th
On completion of PROGRESS visited Cherbourg
with HMS VERYAN BAY.
9th
Sailed from Cherbourg for visit to St Austell
Bay.
Open to visitors whilst at anchor.
12th
On completion resumed Home Fleet exercise
after call at Devonport.
to
Deployed as Plane Guard and screen for HM
Light Fleer Aircraft Carrier VENGEANCE
16th
during convoy defence exercise in Irish Sea
with HMS VERYAN BAY.
(Note: Other ships taking part included HM
Destroyers BATTLEAXE, BROADSWORD and
HM Sloop STARLING).
17th
Took part in search for submarine off Loch
Fyne with HMS VERYAN BAY.
(Note: Sonobuoys were used during this
exercise).
20th
Passage to Portland with HMS VERYAN BAY.
21st
Carried out Weapon trials and Ranging at
Portland.
25th
Joined Home Fleet Convoy Defence in North Sea
and Channel (Exercise VELOX).
30th
Visited Swanage and open to visitors.
July
6th
Passage to Dartmouth and remained till 9th.
Open to visitors.
10th
At Hastings and anchored off shore.
Open to Visitors.
17th
Passage to Liverpool.
19th
Joined other Home Fleet ships for visit to
Liverpool.
Open to visitors.
25th
Took passage to Devonport.
August
Leave period and took part in NAVY DAYS.
September
4th
Passage to Portland for further weapon trials.
8th
Took part in exercises with Home Fleet ships
during passage to Kristiansund.
11th
At Kristiansund with Home Fleet ships.
Anchored off shore.
Calls exchanged with civic authorities.
14th
Carried out exercise with submarine of Royal
Norwegian Navy.
16th
Took part in NATO Exercise NORSEMAN with Home
Fleet ships.
20th
On completion visited Horten.
22nd
Passage to Oslo.
22nd At
Oslo
Open to visitors.
24th
Passage to Invergordon with HM Frigate LOCH
ALVIE.
27th
Carried out exercises at Invergordon with HM
Frigates LOCH ARKAIG and LOCH ALVIE.
October
1st
Passage from Invergordon to Londonderry for
Fleet exercises.
11th
Took part in Home Fleet convoy defence
Exercises ASSESS and GIBBON in Atlantic.
19th
Arrived at Gibraltar for further exercises.
November
At Gibraltar and deployed for Fleet and
Flotilla exercises.
31st
Took passage to Lisbon
December
At Lisbon for visit.
3rd
Took passage to Plymouth with RFA FORT
DUNVEGAN.
6th
Arrived Plymouth.
1 9 5
2
January
17th
Passage to Portland for daily exercise
programme with other frigates.
February
Portland deployment in continuation.
(Note: Exercises included period in Irish Sea
and NW Approaches.)
March
Nominated for service in America and West
Indies.
1st
Passage from Rothesay to Plymouth.
3rd
Prepared for foreign service and leave period.
to
Routine docking and essential repairs.
31st
April
At Devonport,
Refit and preparation in continuation.
May
1st
New Commanding Officer: Captain The Earl
Cairns RN joined.
(Later HM Marshall of the Diplomatic Corps,
Rear Admiral, GCVO).
19th
Carried out sea trials and shakedown cruise.
21st
At Portland for weapon trials and firings.
Carried out Anti-submarine exercises with HM
Frigate BIGBURY BAY.
June
3rd
On completion of exercises returned to
Devonport.
4th
Took passage to join Flotilla at Bermuda.
15th
Arrived at Bermuda.
Prepared for duty as Guardship in Falklands as
relief for HMS VERYAN BAY.
Embarked Royal Marines for passage to Port
Stanley.
25th
Took passage to Trinidad.
July
2nd
Sailed from Trinidad to Falklands with call at
Rio de Janeiro.
(Note: Met HMS VERYAN BAY at Rio de Janeiro).
24th
Arrived at Port Stanley and disembarked Royal
Marines.
August
10th
Deployed for patrol and took stores to mv
PHILOMEL
(Note: 7 gallons of rum reported lost in
bilges !).
13th
Returned to Port Stanley.
15th
Deployed for patrol with calls at San Carlos
and Ajax Bay.
20th
Salvaged converted trawler GOLDEN CHANCE
wrecked in Falkland Sound.
(Note: The 85 ton vessel owned by Colonial
Development Corporation of Port Stanley)
22nd
Returned to Port Stanley.
September
1st
Deployed for patrol with calls at Darwin,
Goose Green, San Carlos and Bonner Bay.
6th
Returned to Port Stanley.
14th
Passage to Speedwell Sound.
16th
After arrival at Port Stanley returned to
Speedwell Sound. to assist HMS PROTECTOR
which had propulsion problems.
17th
Took HMS PROTECTOR in tow to Port Stanley.
28th
Deployed for patrol with calls at Fox Bay and
Albermarle.
October
Patrol in continuation.
6th
Returned to Port Stanley after calls at
Weddell Island., New Island. and Hill Cove.
13th
Visited Blanco Bay for 4in weapon firings.
14th
At Port Stanley.
to
Royal Marines with stores and baggage
embarked.
24th
Prepared for return passage to Bermuda via
west coast of South America.
25th
Took passage to Puerto Matt, Chile.
30th
At Chilean Naval Base, Puerto Maitt.
November
3rd
Took passage to Valparaiso, Chile and anchored
off shore.
5th
Met HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD at Valparaiso.
Royal Marines disembarked.
Took passage to Antofagasta, Chile.
8th
Began official visit to Antofagasta Naval
Base.
Exchanged calls with naval and civil
authorities.
Open to visitors.
12th
Took passage to Callao, Peru.
15th
Anchored off shore at Callao. Illuminated
ship.
19th
Took passage to Kingston, Jamaica via Panama
Canal and call at Ecuador.
25th
Transit of Panama Canal.
28th
Refuelled in Kingston and took passage to
Nassau.
30th
At Nassau to carry out hydrographic survey
task
December
2nd
Survey duty at Cay Sal. R&R Party landed.
6th
Returned to Nassau.
7th
Passage to Bermuda.
10th
Met HM Cruiser SUPERB for gunnery firings.
11th
At Bermuda.
(Note: Wireless Office key lost overboard and
recovered by diver).
1
9 5 3
January
1st
At Bermuda.
to
(Note: Board of Inquiry re cable cutting
occurrence on HMS BIGBURY BAY
11th
12th
Took passage for
visits to
Caribbean
ports. HMS BIGBURY BAY in company
Carried cut exercises with HMS SUPERB.
16th
HMS BIGBURY BAY detached to assist mv
CENTURION.
19th
At Kingston for fuel and took passage to San
Juan, Puerto Rico.
22nd At
San Juan.
26th
Passage to Trinidad.
28th
At Trinidad.
February
2nd
Took passage to Port of Spain and searched
unsuccessfully for Darien Rock using
sonar equipment.
4th
At Port of Spain.
6th
Paid visit to Georgetown, British Guiana
11th
Took passage to Grenada.
13th
At St Georges, Grenada.
Official exchange of calls with Administrator.
17th
Took passage to Barbados.
18th
At Barbados with HM Cruiser DEVONSHIRE (Cadet
Training ship) and HM Frigate ENARD
BAY for visit by HRH Princess Margaret on
20th.
20th
Fired 21 Gun Salute.
24th
Took passage to Guadaloupe.
28th
At Pointe a Pitre.
Calls exchanged with Governor.
March
2nd
Took passage to Antigua and met HMS DEVONSHIRE
and HMS ENARD BAY.
4th
Passage to Barbuda.
6th
Return passage to Antigua.
9th
Took passage to Jamaica with call at Tortola.
14th
Passage to Jamaica from Tortola.
17th
Arrived at Kingston.
19th
Embarked Sir Hugh Foot and Lady Foot for
official visit by Governor to Grand Cayman.
20th
At Grand Cayman. Open to visitors.
23rd
Took passage to Nassau with Governor and Lady
Foot embarked.
31st
Religious Service on board following death of
HM Queen Mary, Queen Mother.
Forty, One Minute Gun Salute provided
Governor attended.
April
1st
Carried out
hydrographic soundings at Green Cay.
4th
Passage from Green Cay to Bermuda.
7th
Arrived at Bermuda.
11th
New Commanding Officer: Commander B C Ward,
DSC* RN.
(Note: Board of Enquiry held on board).
May
1st
Sailed from Bermuda to search for missing
dinghy off Bermuda with HM Submarine
ANDREW and Canadian frigate.
3rd
Dinghy found with crew.
5th
Took passage for visit to Portsmouth, New
Hampshire and Halifax Nova Scotia.
Exercised on passage with HMS ANDREW.
9th
At Portsmouth, New Hampshire
13th
Took passage to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
15th
At Halifax.
19th
Return passage to Bermuda
22nd
Arrived at Bermuda.
26th
Took part in joint RN/RCN anti-submarine
exercises
off
Bermuda
with HMS ANDREW.
to
31st
June
At Hamilton for Coronation ceremonies.
4th
Prepared for return passage in HM Dockyard,
Bermuda.
7th
Took passage to UK with HM Frigate MORECAMBE
BAY.
18th
Arrived at Devonport to re-commission for
further service in West Indies.
July
7th
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard,
Devonport.
30th
Entered drydock.
August
Under refit
September
Commissioned for service.
21st
Advance party joined for new commission.
October
Carried out harbour trials.
26th
Commenced Sea trials.
30th
Party of WRNS on board during sea trials.
Took passage to Portland for work-up.
November
Worked-up.
11th
Took passage to Devonport to embark Royal
Marines for passage to Bermuda.
(Note Royal Marines later landed in Falklands.
See below).
12th
Took passage to Bermuda.
23rd
Arrived at Bermuda.
24th
Deployed off Bermuda for Air-Sea rescue duty
during Royal flight.
25th
Provided street lining party during Royal
visit.
(Note: Royal family were joining ss GOTHIC at
Bermuda for Commonwealth tour).
December
2nd
Programmed departure for Falkland Islands duty
cancelled because of requirements for
international
meeting in Bermuda.
(Note: President Eisenhower and M Bidault of
France were attending).
5th
Provided ceremonial guard.
28th
Sailed from Bermuda for Falklands.
1
9 5 4
January
1st
At Puerto Rico
Open to Visitors.
Exchanged calls with US Navy authorities.
7th
At Port a Prince.
19th
At San Salvador.
Exchanged calls with Brazilian naval
authorities.
23rd
At Rio de Janeiro.
Open to visitors.
February
1st
Took passage from Rio de Janeiro to Port
Stanley.
7th
Arrived at Port Stanley to relieve HM Sloop
NEREIDE.
20th
Deployed for patrol
24th
At Deception Island, South Shetlands.
Chilean warships present.
March
3rd
Carried out surveillance of movements of
Chilean and Argentine warships.
Calls made at Moon Bay, Paradise Island and
Malchior Island.
11th
Returned to Port Stanley.
16th
Passage to South Georgia with call at
Deception Island.
17th
Machinery problem caused temporary loss of
steam.
24th
At Grytviken.
26th
Return passage to Port Stanley.
29th
Arrived at Port Stanley
April
At Port Stanley.
Anchor watch required during frequent gales.
Present when new Governor arrived
May
3rd
Sailed for patrol to Fox Bay.
5th
Returned to Port Stanley.
(Note: During period at Port Stanley in early
1954 the Captain was married to
a British lady working at Port Stanley).
14th
Took part in exercises at sea with HM Patrol
Vessel PROTECTOR.
25th
Took passage for visits to ports in Uruguay.
June
1st
200 mile passage up Uruguay River.
2nd
At Fray Bentos.
Open to visitors
Provided guard at wreath laying ceremony.
8th
At Paysandu.
Open to visitors
Provided guard at wreath laying ceremony.
18th
Arrived at Port Stanley with stores and mail
embarked before leaving Montevideo.
30th
On relief by HM Frigate BIGBURY BAY took
passage for return to Bermuda along
the Pacific
coast of South
America.
RM Detachment left at Port Stanley.
July
Passage through Straits of Magellan
2nd
At Punta Arenas, Chile.
6th
Took passage to Valparaiso via Passo Victoria,
English Narrows and Darwin Channel.
12th
At Valparaiso for official visit to Chilean
Navy.
(Open to visitors.)
17th
Took passage to Callao,
22nd At
Callao for official visit to Peruvian Navy.
27th
Took passage to Guayaquil.
31st
Anchored off port on arrival.
August
1st
Alongside at Guayaquil.
4th
.Took passage to Kingston, Jamaica.
7th
Transit of Panama Canal.
10th
At Kingston.
16th
Passage to Bermuda.
Two Soldiers embarked for passage
21st
Arrived at Bermuda.
23rd
Board of Inquiry on board.
(Note: This was held after loss of ship’s pay
accounting documents during passage from
Port Stanley.)
September
7th
Took passage for calls in New England, USA.
10th
At Bar Harbour, Maine.
11th
Put to sea during Hurricane situation.
12th
Returned to harbour. Open to Visitors.
17th
At Portsmouth, New Hampshire with HMS
SHEFFIELD
Exchanged calls with US Navy and civil
authorities.
23rd
Passage to New London, Connecticut.
24th
At New London.
Calls exchanged with US Navy authorities.
Open to visitors.
Underwater fittings inspected by divers.
29th
At New Haven, Connecticut.
Open to visitors.
October
5th
Took passage to Bermuda.
8th
At Bermuda.
11th
Annual Inspection
November
Self maintenance at Bermuda.
8th
Basin Trial.
15th
Took passage to return to Plymouth.
26th
Arrived at Plymouth for refit and
recommissioning.
(Note: The First Lieutenant during this
commission was John Harvey-Jones
Sir John left the Navy soon afterwards
to work for ICI.
After retiring as the Chairman of
ICI he became well known as a media
personality. He died in January 2008)
December
Under refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport.
1 9 5
5
January
Under refit.
New Commanding Officer: Commander H C J Shand
DSC RN joined.
February
Under refit.
March
Took part in Shore Landing Party Exercise
WIDDECOMBE FAIR.
April
Refit work in continuation.
May
Commissioned for service on America and West
Indies Station.
2nd
Began sea trials.
5th
Visited St Austell Bay and anchored offshore.
Open to visitors.
9th
Sea trials abandoned due to machinery defects
20th
Carried out Basin trial.
28th
Open to visitors during NAVY DAYS.
June
At Devonport.
to
Dockyard work still in hand.
September
Open to visitors in July NAVY DAYS.
October
Extensive machinery trials and further sea
trials
25th
Finally completed post refit trials.
(Note: The significant problems during this
refit delayed deployment)
November
Prepared for foreign service at Devonport and
Leave Period,
5th
Shakedown prior to period of work-up and
weapon trials at Portland.
17th
Returned to Devonport prior to leaving for
foreign service
Junior ratings joined ship.
Royal Marines embarked for passage.
29th
Took passage to Bermuda via Azores.
Experienced rough weather at times.
December
10th
Arrived at Bermuda.
Paintwork refurbished and underwater sonar
fittings checked.
1
9 5 6
January
9tth
Took Passage to Montego Bay.
14th
Carried out exercises with HM Frigate
MORECAMBE BAY.
19th
Visited Kingston, Jamaica.
Calls exchanged with civil authorities and
Governor.
23rd
Took passage for visits in Caribbean.
24th
Official visit to Dominican Navy at Cuidad
Trujillo, Dominica.
Provided Guard at wreath laying ceremony.
Open to visitors.
31st
At St Thomas, Virgin Islands.
Exchanged calls with US Navy authorities.
Open to visitors..
February
3rd
At Basseterre, St Kitts for official formal
visit.
Accession Day Royal Salute fired.
8th
At Scarborough, Tobago.
Overnight leave granted to leading ratings and
above.
Open to visitors.
15th
Passage to Georgetown with call at Port of
Spain, Trinidad.
(Note: HM Cruiser KENYA present at Port of
Spain.).
18th
At Georgetown, British Guiana.
Open to visitors
Talk by Captain on new centralised drafting to
replace Port Divisions.
24th
At New Amsterdam, British Guiana.
Open to visitors, 2,600 recorded in Deck Log.
(Note: Two Warrant punishments awarded
including imprisonment.)
March
1st
At Kingstown, St Vincent.
Anchored for 1 day before berthing.
Exchanged calls with civil authority.
Open to visitors. 1050 recorded in Deck Log.
6th
At Pointe a Pitre, Grand Terre, Guadeloupe.
Open to visitors.
Refinery visit arranged.
10th
At Punta Garden.
Open to visitors.
14th
At Maracaibo, Venezuela.
Open to visitors, 581 recorded in Deck Log.
Children’s party provided.
Oilfield visit to La Conception arranged.
Provided guard for wreath laying ceremony.
20th
Took passage to Montego Bay with call at
Kingston, Jamaica for fuel.
24th
Took passage to Bermuda
29th
Arrived at Bermuda.
April
At Bermuda.
14th
Provided Ceremonial Guard at local Tattoo.
23rd
Carried out anti-submarine exercise with HM
Cruiser QUEBEC (RCN) and HM Submarine
to
AMBUSH
25th
26th
Passage to Norfolk, Virginia USA and carried
out further exercises
28th
Arrived at Norfolk for joint RN/RCN/US Navy
exercises.
May
1st
Took part in joint exercises including convoy
defence and night encounter
.
to
(Exercises NEW BROOM).
5th
(Note: HM Canadian Aircraft Carrier
MAGNIFICENT took part.
9th
Took passage to Baltimore, Maryland with HM
Frigate MORECAMBE BAY for visit.
10th
At Baltimore after Chesapeake Bay transit.
to
Exchanged calls with US Navy and civil
authorities.
14th
Captain interviewed on local TV.
Took part in Armed Forces Day Parade
Open to visitors. 1735 visitors recorded in
Deck Log.
Visit to Washington, DC arranged.
15th
Passage to Charleston, South Carolina.
17th
At Charleston.
22nd Took
passage to return to Bermuda with HMS
MORECAMBE BAY.
26th
At Bermuda.
June
Provided Guard for Queen's Birthday
celebration.
Took part in sea inspection of HMS MORECAMBE
BAY off Bermuda.
11th
Took part in Exercise HOURGLASS with HM
Frigates MORECAMBE BAY, WAKEFUL,
ROEBUCK and WHIRLWIND.
(Note: Major international assembly including
ships of Home Fleet, Canadian and Dutch
warships.
Exercise included anti-submarine serials with
RN and US Navy submarines).
27th
On completion returned to Bermuda.
Commander Shard, promoted Captain.
July
Prepared for patrol and visits programme to
USA, Newfoundland and Canada.
9th
Commenced visit programme and carried out
joint exercises with HMS MORECAMBE BAY
and HMS BIGBURY BAY before detaching for
passage to Rhode Island
13th
At Providence, Rhode Island USA.
19th
At Province Town, East Rhode Island, USA
24th
Sailed for Bar Harbour, Maine USA
25th
At Bar Harbour.
30th
Sailed for Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.
31st
At Saint John
August
3rd
Sailed for Gaspe, Quebec Province.
6th
At Gaspe.
10th
Sailed for Comerbrook, Newfoundland.
12th
At Comerbrook.
15th
Took passage to Plymouth to Pay-off.
24th
Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status.
F
i n a
l P h a s e
HMS ST AUSTELL BAY was laid-up
in the Reserve Fleet at Plymouth until 1959
when she was placed on the Disposal
List. Sold to BISCO
for demolition by Shipbreaking
Industries and arrived
in tow at the the
breakers yard at Charlestown
near Rosyth
on 5th July 1959.
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