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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2003

HMS ROCHESTER (L 50) - Shoreham-class Sloop
including Convoy Escort Movements

 HMS Bideford, sister-ship (Photo Ships, click to enlarge) return to Contents List 
 

SHOREHAM-Class Sloop ordered under the 1929 Programme from HM Dockyard, Chatham on 4th December 1929 and laid down on 24th November 1930. The ship was launched by the Mayor of Rochester, Mrs G. Jenner on 16th July 1931 as the 6th RN ship to carry the name that was introduced in 1693 for a 4th Rate and last used for a trawler hired for minesweeping during WW1. She was commissioned on 24th March 1932 for service on the South Africa Station and accepted into service a week later on the completion of build. This ship remained in South Africa based at Simonstown until 1939 and after being re-armed there late in 1938 returned to UK. She re-commissioned at Sheerness in June 1939 for service en the East Indies Station and arrived at Aden in September 1939. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 she was adopted by the civil community of Crompton, Lancashire.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

CAPE PASSARO  1718 - QUIBERON  1759 - MARTINIQUE  1762 - ATLANTIC  1939-45 - NORTH AFRICA  1942 - NORMANDY  1944

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge: On a Field Gold a cross Red, thereon the letter ‘R;

Black outlined Red.

 

M o t t o

Urbis Fortuna Fortunma Navls:  'The city's fortune is the ship's fortune'

 

 

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

                1st           Arrived at Aden for East Indies Station service.

                3rd          Deployed in Persian Gulf for patrol and contraband control duties.

 

October                  East Indies Station deployment in continuation.

                                Recalled for convoy defence duty in Home waters

 

November              Passage to UK.

                                Diverted during passage to escort Freetown - UK convoy

 

December              Joined escort of Convoy SL42 from Freetown.

                                On arrival nominated for refit in Humber shipyard and taken in hand.

 

1940

 

January                  Under refit in Humber shipyard.

                                Nominated for service with 2nd Escort Division, Western Approaches

                                Command

 

February                On completion of post refit trials took passage to Liverpool to join Division.

 

March                    Deployed for convoy defence in Western Approaches.

                27th        Sustained damaged to under water fittings in collision with ss LONGFORD.

 

April                       Remained in service pending refit.

                6th          Deployed with HM Sloops ABERDEEN, WELLINGTON and HM Destroyer

                                VIMY as escort for Convoy OG25F during outward passage to Gibraltar in SW

                                Approaches.

                7th          Detached from OG25F .

                8th          Joined inward Convoy HG25F in SW Approaches with HM Destroyers VIMY,

                                VISCOUNT and WITCH for escort during passage to Liverpool.

                                (Note: The escort also included a French destroyer.)

                11th        Detached from HG25F with escort after arrival in Liverpool

 

May                        Western Approaches Convoy defence duties in continuation.

                                (Note: Western Approaches Command had been transferred to Liverpool)

                5th          Joined Outward Convoy OG28 on formation in SW Approaches with HM Destroyer

                                WHITEHALL as escort during initial Stage of passage to Gibraltar.

                                Detached after arrival of two French destroyers.

                                (Note: The French warships remained as escort until arrival in Gibraltar ion 10th.)

 

June                        Taken in hand for refit and repair in Liverpool.

to                            Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed to U50.

July

 

August                  On completion of post refit trials resumed convoy defence duties at

                                Liverpool

 

September             Convoy defence in SW Approaches in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Deployed for convoy defence in Western Approaches.

to

April

 

May

                                Part of escort for Convoy OB218 with HM Destroyers AMAZON and BULLDOG.

                7th          Took part in attacks on U94 during defence of OB218 with these ships near Iceland.

 

June                        Taken in hand for refit in Liverpool.

                                (Note: New Radar Type 271 fitted during this period.

                                See RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

 

July                         0n completion transferred to Londonderry and joined 37th Escort Group for convoy

                                defence in NW Approaches.

 

August                  Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

September             Deployed with Group for defence of convoys on UK-Freetown route.

 

October                  Part of escort for Convoy HG74 with HM Corvette MALLOW, HM Destroyers

                                COSSACK and LAMERTON.

                19th        Participated in sinking of U2O4 with HMS MALLOW off Cape Spartel in position

                                35.46N 06.02W during defence of HG74 by ships of 37th Escort Group.

                                (Note: There were no survivors from the submarine which was part of BRESLAU

                                Group.)

 

November              Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

to                            Transferred to 43rd Escort Group

December

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Freetown convoy defence based at Londonderry.

 

February                Joined escort for Convoy OS18.

                6th          Participated in sinking of U82 with HM Corvette TAMARISK in defence of OS18.

                                Submarine sunk off the Azores in position 44.10N 23.52 following depth charge

                                attacks during passage to Biscay port after operating off US East coast. There were

                                no survivors.

 

March                    Freetown convoy defence in continuation.

to

April

 

May                        Under refit in Tyne shipyard

to                            (Note: Radar Type 291Air warning) and HF D/F Outfit FH3 fitted.

June                        For details of the development and use of radar in the RN see RADAR AT

                                Sea by D Howse and for details of weapons and tactics during the Battle of

                                the Atlantic see U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO), SEEK AND

                                STRIKE by W Hackmann and HITLER’S U- BOAT WAR BY c BLAIR.).

 

July                         On completion of post refit trials returned to Freetown route convoy defence

                                with 43rd Escort Group.

                                Provided support for passage of Convoy OS35 with HM Sloops ERNE and SANDWICH

                31st         Participated in sinking of 0213 with same ships.

                                Submarine was sunk in position 36.45N .22,50W SE of the Azores.

                                There were no survivors.

 

August                  Freetown route convoy defence with Group in continuation

to                            Nominated for defence of military convoys to Gibraltar prior to allied landings in

September             North Africa (Operation TORCH)

                                (Note: See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and Naval

                                Staff History.)

 

October                  Escorted convoys on passage to Gibraltar prior to landings.

 

November              Transferred with Group for convoy escort in western Mediterranean.

 

December              Escort of support convoys to North African ports

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                  Western Mediterranean convoy defence in continuation.

                                Nominated for return to Western Approaches and took passage to Liverpool.

 

February                Joined 39th Escort Group at Liverpool for service in NW Approaches.

 

March                    Escorted Convoy OS44 with ships of Group.

 

April                       Atlantic convoy defence with Group in continuation

 

May                        Under refit in Humber shipyard.

to

June

 

July                         On completion rejoined Western Approaches Command for service on Freetown route.

                                Joined 39th Escort Group for escort of Convoy OS51.

                15th        Participated in sinking of U135 with HM Corvettes MIGNONETTE, BALSAM and

                                US VP-92 aircraft during defence of convoy. 41 of submarine crew were rescued.

                                (Note: The submarine had torpedoed and damaged mercantile as TWICKENHAM

                                which was in convoy and the attack was against German U-Boat Command

                                standing instructions. She was forced to the surface by depth charge attacks

                                and abandoned by crew - See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

 

August                  Escorted Convoys OS54/KMS25 with Group.

 

September             Escorted outward Convoy MKS28 to Gibraltar with ships of Group.

 

October                  Gibraltar route convoy defence in continuation.

to

December

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

to                            Nominated with Group for transfer to Portsmouth for support of allied landings

April                       in Normandy (Operation NEPTUNE - For details of naval activities prior to and

                                during operation see OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS

                                IN NORMANDY JUNE 1944 (HMSO).)

                                (Note: Intended for escort of Trinity House vessels during Assault Phase and to

                                be used for control of Coastal Forces craft on completion)

 

May                        Transferred as Senior Officer's ship to Portsmouth

                                Deployed in SW Approaches for anti-submarine operations.

                31st         In collision with HM Sloop HART during A/S operations in SW Approaches

 

June                        Under repair by HM Dockyard, Devonport.

                                (Note: This defect prevented full participated in Assault Phase.)

                                On completion deployed for convoy defence in Channel.

                27th        During deployment as convoy escort carried out attack on submarine in position NE Cap Barfleur

                                which was inconclusive.

                                (Note: HM Corvette PINK was torpedoed but later towed to Portsmouth.

 

July                         Transferred to EG41 based at Plymouth for convoy defence.

                                Deployed in Channel and SW Approaches.

 

August                  Transferred to Force 29 as Senior Officer.

                                (Note: Force 29 comprised HKML292 and HM Trawler KINGSTON ANDALUSITE.)

                                Deployed with Force 29 off Brest in support of operations by 6 MTB's.

 

September             Channel deployment with 41st Group in continuation.

to                            Nominated for long refit in Newcastle.

October

 

November              Passage to Newcastle and taken in hand for refit.

 

December              Under refit in Tyne shipyard.

                                (Note: This refit was intended to prepare ship for service as the Navigation Training ship attached

                                to the Navigation School, HMS DRYAD at Portsmouth and included removal of

                                main armament and Installation of a new design centimetric radar, Type 277).

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Under refit.

to

February

 

March                    On completion of poet refit trials Joined Navigation School for training duties.

 

April                       Training duties in continuation

to                            (Note: Introduction of new navigational aids and development of radar equipment

August                  including that for merchant ships made necessary frequent changes to the

                                internal fit of radio outfits).

  

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS ROCHESTER continued duty as Navigation School Training Ship until September 1949 when she was placed on the Disposal List. The ship was sold to Clayton and Davie for breaking up at Dunston  on Tyne on 16th January 1951.She arrived there under tow for demolition on 10th February after a most distinguished record of service in peace and war.

 

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS ROCHESTER

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

 

 

 

 

 

10/12/39

10/12/39

SL 012

26/12/39

26/12/39

13/01/40

24/01/40

SL 016F

27/01/40

27/01/40

28/01/40

28/01/40

OA 081

30/01/40

31/01/40

16/01/40

02/02/40

SL 017

04/02/40

04/02/40

07/02/40

07/02/40

OB 087

10/02/40

10/02/40

31/01/40

13/02/40

HX 018

16/02/40

16/02/40

23/02/40

23/02/40

OB 097

26/02/40

27/02/40

16/02/40

29/02/40

HX 020

04/03/40

04/03/40

08/03/40

08/03/40

OB 106

11/03/40

11/03/40

01/03/40

12/03/40

SL 022F

15/03/40

15/03/40

16/03/40

16/03/40

OB 111

19/03/40

20/03/40

06/04/40

06/04/40

OG 025F

07/04/40

12/04/40

02/04/40

08/04/40

HG 025F

11/04/40

11/04/40

14/04/40

14/04/40

OB 129

17/04/40

18/04/40

06/04/40

18/04/40

HX 033

20/04/40

20/04/40

21/04/40

21/04/40

OB 134

25/04/40

26/04/40

02/05/40

02/05/40

OB 140

05/05/40

05/05/40

05/05/40

05/05/40

OG 028

05/05/40

10/05/40

29/04/40

06/05/40

HG 028

09/05/40

09/05/40

18/05/40

18/05/40

OB 150

20/05/40

20/05/40

21/05/40

21/05/40

OB 152

23/05/40

24/05/40

12/05/40

24/05/40

HX 042

27/05/40

28/05/40

28/05/40

28/05/40

OB 157

31/05/40

31/05/40

20/05/40

31/05/40

HX 044

03/06/40

03/06/40

27/06/40

27/06/40

OB 175

30/06/40

30/06/40

14/07/40

14/07/40

OA 184

19/07/40

unknown

07/07/40

19/07/40

HX 056

22/07/40

22/07/40

09/08/40

09/08/40

OA 196

unknown

unknown

20/08/40

31/08/40

HX 067

04/09/40

04/09/40

09/09/40

09/09/40

OA 212

unknown

unknown

04/09/40

unknown

HG 043

18/09/40

18/09/40

26/09/40

26/09/40

OA 220

28/09/40

28/09/40

19/09/40

01/10/40

SC 005

02/10/40

04/10/40

10/10/40

10/10/40

OA 227

14/10/40

14/10/40

04/10/40

15/10/40

HX 078

19/10/40

20/10/40

24/10/40

24/10/40

OA 234

26/10/40

26/10/40

24/10/40

26/10/40

OB 234

30/10/40

30/10/40

09/10/40

30/10/40

SL 051S

31/10/40

31/10/40

12/10/40

30/10/40

SL 051

31/10/40

31/10/40

08/11/40

08/11/40

OB 240

unknown

13/11/40

20/11/40

20/11/40

HG 047

04/12/40

04/12/40

23/12/40

23/12/40

OB 263

26/12/40

27/12/40

14/12/40

27/12/40

HX 096

29/12/40

30/12/40

07/01/41

07/01/41

OG 049

21/01/41

21/01/41

25/02/41

26/02/41

OG 054

14/03/41

14/03/41

24/03/41

24/03/41

HG 057

11/04/41

11/04/41

02/05/41

02/05/41

OB 318

08/05/41

10/05/41

25/04/41

09/05/41

HX 123

12/05/41

13/05/41

18/05/41

19/05/41

OB 324

24/05/41

27/05/41

09/05/41

24/05/41

SC 031

27/05/41

30/05/41

19/08/41

20/08/41

OG 072

01/09/41

01/09/41

02/09/41

08/09/41

HG 072

17/09/41

17/09/41

27/09/41

27/09/41

OG 075

13/10/41

13/10/41

22/10/41

22/10/41

HG 075

27/10/41

03/11/41

30/11/41

01/12/41

OS 013

18/12/41

20/12/41

26/12/41

28/12/41

SL 096

13/01/42

13/01/42

30/01/42

31/01/42

OS 018

15/02/42

20/02/42

21/02/42

23/02/42

SL 101

12/03/42

15/03/42

24/03/42

25/03/42

OS 023

11/04/42

11/04/42

16/04/42

16/04/42

SL 107

07/05/42

07/05/42

21/07/42

22/07/42

OS 035

10/08/42

10/08/42

14/08/42

14/08/42

SL 119

05/09/42

04/09/42

19/09/42

20/09/42

OS 041

01/10/42

01/10/42

23/09/42

04/10/42

SL 123

10/10/42

14/10/42

25/10/42

26/10/42

KMS 002G

12/11/42

12/11/42

21/11/42

21/11/42

MKS 002

24/11/42

03/12/42

28/11/42

28/11/42

TE 007

unknown

03/12/42

03/12/42

05/12/42

MKS 003X

08/12/42

19/12/42

30/12/42

30/12/42

GUF 003

01/01/43

13/01/43

24/12/42

04/01/43

KMS 006G

09/01/43

09/01/43

05/01/43

08/01/43

MKS 005

11/01/43

22/01/43

18/01/43

18/01/43

GUS 003

21/01/43

07/02/43

07/02/43

08/02/43

MKS 007

17/02/43

17/02/43

06/03/43

07/03/43

OS 044

24/03/43

24/03/43

31/03/43

31/03/43

SL 127

24/04/43

15/04/43

04/07/43

05/07/43

OS 051KM

13/07/43

13/07/43

13/07/43

13/07/43

OS 051

23/07/43

23/07/43

28/07/43

28/07/43

SL 134

19/08/43

19/08/43

27/08/43

01/09/43

OS 054KM

08/09/43

08/09/43

08/09/43

08/09/43

OS 054

17/09/43

17/09/43

13/10/43

13/10/43

SL 138

24/10/43

24/10/43

24/10/43

24/10/43

SL 138MK

05/11/43

05/11/43

16/11/43

16/11/95

OS 059KM

28/11/43

28/11/43

28/11/43

28/11/43

KMS 033G

29/11/43

29/11/43

03/12/43

03/12/43

MKS 032G

04/12/43

04/12/43

04/12/43

04/12/43

SL 141MK

17/12/43

17/12/43

25/12/43

26/12/43

OS 063KM

08/10/44

07/01/44

08/01/44

08/01/44

KMS 037G

09/01/44

09/01/44

12/01/44

12/01/44

SL 145MK

22/01/44

24/01/44

06/02/44

06/02/44

OS 067KM

15/02/44

15/02/44

16/02/44

16/02/44

KMS 041G

17/02/44

17/02/44

21/02/44

21/02/44

MKS 040G

22/02/44

22/02/44

22/02/44

22/02/44

SL 149MK

07/03/44

07/03/44

14/03/44

15/03/44

OS 071KM

25/03/44

25/03/44

26/03/44

26/03/44

KMS 045G

27/03/44

27/03/44

01/04/44

01/04/44

MKS 044G

02/04/44

02/04/44

02/04/44

02/04/44

SL 153MK

13/04/44

13/04/44

23/07/44

23/07/44

EBC 050

25/07/44

25/07/44

30/07/44

30/07/44

EBC 057

01/08/44

01/08/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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