CASTLE-Class Frigate ordered from Caledon SB at Aberdeen on 2nd February 1943 and laid down on 6th May that year. The ship was launched on 28th September 1942 and was the 2nd RN ship to bear this name, introduced for a 6th Rate in 1707 but captured by the French the following year. Build of this new design Corvette was completed on 25th February 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

 

ATLANTIC 1944-45 - FALKLANDS 1982 *

(Note: * Awarded to third ship.)

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

No Badge is recorded in the Official List of Heraldic Crests.

(Note: Many ships built during WW2 had an unofficial crest but these were never given

formal approval.)

 

 

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

 

June                         Commissioned for service in Western Approaches Command.

         25th                 Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

                                 (Note: For details of new SQUID Anti-submarine weapon see SEEK AND STRIKE by

                                             W Hackmann.).

 

July                          On completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory  to work-up for operational

                                 service.

 

August                     Joined 5th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                  (Note: Other ships in this Group were  HM Frigate EXE (Senior Officer), HM Frigate

                                             ASCENSION, Sister ships HMS BERKELEY CASTLE, HMS CARISBROOKE

                                             CASTLE, HMS HADLEIGH CASTLE and HMS BAMBOROUGH CASTLE.)

 

September               Deployed with Group for defence of Atlantic convoys.

       to                       (Note: HMS BAMBOROUGH CASTLE of Group was detached for service with Home

October                               Fleet as an escort for Russian  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 Terraine and above reference.)

 

November               Group deployment in NW Approaches in continuation.

       24th                  Took part in anti-submarine operations with Group against U-Boat sighted and previously

                                attacked by Sunderland aircraft of No 330 Norwegian Squadron RAF in position north of

                                 Cape Wrath.

       25th                  Submarine identified as U322 sunk by HMS ASCENSION.

                                 (See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

 

December               Atlantic convoy defence and ant-submarine search duties in NW Approaches.

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                   Transferred with Group for anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence

       to                      coastal convoys around UK.

April                        (Note: German submarines fitted with Schnorkel equipment were

                                             being extensively deployed to attack coastal traffic.)

 

February                  Coastal convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol in continuation

       to                       (Note: For details of German submarine activities in UK coastal waters

April                                    see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, U-BOAT WAR IN

                                             THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and The Naval Staff History.)

 

May                         After VE Day deployed for anti-submarine training and for visits to

      to                        UK ports. Support duties for re-occupation of European countries to be

August                    confirmed.

 

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS DUMBARTON CASTLE remained in service until 1947 when placed in Reserve at Portsmouth.  She was re-classified as a Frigate in 1947 and her Pennant Number became 388. Although refitted in 1949, she remained in Reserve at Harwich. Transferred to lay-up at Hartlepool in 1953 she never re-commissioned. After being sold on 16th November 1960, she was towed to Gateshead in March 1961 and broken-up by JJ King & Co later that year. This name was used for the third time when given to an Ocean Patrol vessel, launched by Hall Russell at Aberdeen on 3rd June 1981. This ship was one of a new CASTLE Class to be used for fishery protection duties as well as for patrol duties and took part in the Falklands War in 1982.

 

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Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS DUMBARTON CASTLE

by Don Kindell

 

These convoy lists have not been cross-checked with the text above

(Note on Convoys)