CASTLE-Class
Frigate
ordered from Lewis Shipbuilders, Aberdeen on
19th December 1942 and laid down
on 26th August 1943. The ship was launched
on 22nd May 1944 and was the 1st RN ship to
bear this name. Build was
completed on 29th September 1944. She was
not adopted by a civil community in UK in
1941-42 following a National Savings WARSHIP
WEEK
campaign.
B
a t t l e H
o n o u r s
NORTH SEA 1945
H
e r a l d i c
D a t a
Badge:
On a Field barry
wavy
of five White and Blue, in front
of
a
cross crosslet Gold, an eagle displayed Red.
Explanation:
The castle was built about 1440 by Sir
John Fastolf (f).
The
famous Paston
family
also lived there. The Badge is based on
the
arms
of Fastolf and Paston.
S
u m m a r
y 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 4
September
Commissioned for service in
Western Approaches Command.
29th
Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials.
(Note: For
details of new HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine
weapon
see
SEEK AND
STRIKE by W Hackmann.).
October
On completion of trials and
storing took passage to Tobermory to work-up
for
operational
service.
November
Joined 30th Escort Group for
Atlantic convoy defence.
(Note: Other
escorts in this Group were sister ships:
HMS
PEVENSEY CASTLE (SO) (completed June 1944)
HMS
PORTCHESTER CASTLE (completed August 1943)
HMS
KENILWORTH CASTLE (completed
November
1943).)
Did
not take part in anti-submarine operations
with Group on
11th
November
when submarine U1200 was sunk by
SQUID projectiles in
series of attacks by Group.
For
details see HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair
and
U-BOATS
DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
December
Deployed with Group for
defence of Atlantic convoys.
(For details
of weapons and tactics used by U-Boats and
by Escort and Support Groups
see the THE
BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre.
BUSINESS
IN GREAT
WATERS
by J Terrain and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (MOD).)
Atlantic
convoy defence and
anti-submarine search duties in Western
Approaches.
1
9 4 5
January
Deployed with Group for
anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence
to
of
coastal convoys around UK.
February
(Note: German submarines
fitted with Schnorkel equipment were being
extensively
deployed
to attack coastal traffic which
included Atlantic traffic re-routed
through English
Channel following removal of
air threat from French bases.
For
details of German
submarine activities in UK coastal
waters. see
above references and
ENGAGE THE ENEMY)
MORE CLOSELY by C
Barnett.)
March
Transferred to North Sea for convoy defence and patrol for the
to
interception of
minelaying operations by submersibles and
E-Boats.
April
(Note: Battle Honour NORTH SEA indicates some action
against
enemy craft. This
requires investigation.)
May After
VE Day deployed
with Home Fleet to take part in transfer of
surrendered
U-Boats in Norway.
25th
Deployed with HM Cruiser
BERWICK, HM Canadian Destroyers
HAIDA, HURON and ships
of 30th Escort Group at Trondheim.
June
Deployed for escort
of captured submarines and support of
to
re-occupation
operations.
August
Visited Home ports as part
of Victory celebrations.
September
Deployed in Home waters for
training and Port duties.
1
9 4 6
Paid-off and
reduced to Reserve status after de-storing.
Laid-up in Reserve Fleet
at Plymouth.
1
9 4 7 t
o 1 9 4 8
Laid-up in
Reserve at Plymouth
1
9 4 9
Underwent
refit at Cardiff to ensure ready
availability if
required for
service.
Carried out
sea trials on completion and returned to
Reserve
1
9 5 0
Laid-up in Reserve.
1
9 5 1
Taken in
hand for further refit at Falmouth
to ensure availability
For service at short
notice.
Carried
out
sea trials on completion before return to
Reserve.
1
9 5 2
Laid-up in
Reserve
Nominated
for service in 2nd Training Squadron at
Portland
(Note: Other
ships of this Class were also deployed at
Portland with
this Squadron
which was primarily concerned with
anti-submarine
training
1
9 5 3
January
Brought forward for
service and commissioned.
February
Joined Squadron at Portland
March
Deployed at Portland
to
May
June
Attended
Coronation Review at Spithead.
July
Squadron training
duties in continuation.
to
December
1
9 5 4
Squadron
duties at Portland in continuation
Nominated for reduction
to Reserve status.
1
9 5 5
Paid-off,
destored and reduced to Reserve status at
Devonport
Laid-up in Reserve
Fleet, Plymouth.
Placed on Disposal List.
1
9 5 6
Sold to
BISCO and allocated for demolition by Arnott
Young.
Taken in Tow to
Breaker’s yard at Dalmuir, Glasgow in
March.
S
p e c i a
l N o t e
For
details of naval
activities between August 1945 and December
1956 see THE DECLINE OF BRITISH
SEA
POWER
by D Western.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
CAISTER CASTLE
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27/02/45
|
28/02/45
|
ONS
043
|
28/02/45
|
16/03/45
|
|
02/03/45
|
03/03/45
|
ON
288
|
05/03/45
|
19/03/45
|
|
07/04/45
|
07/04/45
|
EN
485
|
09/04/45
|
09/04/45
|
|
28/04/45
|
12/05/45
|
SC
174
|
13/05/45
|
14/05/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)
