FLOWER-Class corvette ordered from Harland and Wolff. Belfast on 19th September 1939. She was laid down on 22nd May 1940 and launched on 2nd September 1940 as the second RN warship to bear this name. It had been introduced in 1917 for an ANCHUSA-Class Sloop that was sunk in 1918 by U70 in the North Sea. Build of this ship was completed on 18th October 1940. In December 1941 she was adopted by the civil community of Liskeard, Cornwall after a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings Campaign.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

  ATLANTIC 1940-45 - ENGLISH CHANNEL 1942 - NORTH AFRICA 1942 - BARENTS SEA 1942 - ARCTIC 1942-45 - SICILY 1943 - NORMANDY 1944

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

No record of a Badge is recorded in the Official List of  Ships Badges

(Note: An earlier ship had carried this name and other Sloops built

in WW1 are included. An unofficial Badge may have been used.)

 

 

D e t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e

(Note * = Further research is required into these periods)

 

(for more ship information, go to Naval History Homepage and type name in Site Search

 

 

1 9 4 0

 

August               Contractors trials

          18th           Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials.

 

September          Carried out work-up and shakedown prior to operational deployment

 

October              Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence

to

December

 

1 9 4 1

 

January               Atlantic deployment in continuation

to                         Transferred to 36th Escort Group

August

 

September            Deployment with Group in continuation

           15th            Joined ships of Group with other FLOWER Class corvettes for escort for outward Convoy OG74 during Atlantic

                              passage.

                              (Note: Air cover from an Escort Carrier was provided for the first time by HMS AUDACITY

                                          which was also deployed with OG74)

           20th           Under attacks by U-Boats and Focke-Wolfe Kondor aircraft.

                              (Note: Unsuccessful anti-submarine operations were carried out by HM Corvettes PENTSTEMON and

                              MARIGOLD.

                              For details of the unsatisfactory defence of this convoy of which nine merchant ships were sunk see

                              BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D. Macintyre and U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC

                              (HMSO))

                              (Note: Serious weaknesses in the defence were revealed and tactical measures improved s a result of

                                         experiences during 1941.See CAPTAIN GILBERT ROBERTS, RN by M Williams and THE  FIGHTING

                                         CAPTAIN by A Burn.)

 

October                 Atlantic convoy deployment in continuation.

 

November             Took part with ships of Group in diversionary convoy deployment in Mediterranean during the 8th Army

                               advance from El Alamein

                               (Operation CHIEFTAIN – Naval Cover for military Operation CRUSADER).

 

December

           14th           Joined escort for inward Convoy HG76 with HMS AUDACITY, ships of 36th Escort Group, seven

                             FLOWER Class Corvettes and three destroyers from Gibraltar.

                             (Note: The Senior Officer of the escort in HM Sloop STORK was Cdr. F. J. Walker who was

                                          particularly renowned for his successes in Anti-Submarine warfare – See RELENTLESS

                                          PURSUIT by D E G Weymss. This convoy had been selected for sustained U-Boat attacks

                                          by German Naval Staff. See above references and BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by

                                          J Terraine).

           18th           Convoy shadowed by U434 which was sunk by HM Destroyers BLANKNEY and STANLEY.

           21st           HM Escort Carrier AUDACITY sunk by U741.

                             (Note: U567 was sunk BY HM Sloop DEPTFORD and HM Corvette SAMPHIRE in position 44.02N

                                         25.32W off Finisterre. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.)

           22nd          HMS DEPTFORD sustained serious damaged in collision with HMS STORK.

           28th           Arrived in Liverpool with HG76.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January              Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence.

to

June

 

July                    Transferred to English Channel

to                       (Note: Deployment in support of planned landing at Dieppe is to be confirmed)

August

 

September         Resumed Atlantic deployment

to  November

 

December          Nominated for defence of Russian Convoys.

                          (Note: For details of all Russian Convoy operations with names of the mercantiles and

                                      escorts see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg, THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS

                                       by B Schoefield, CONVOY !  by P Kemp and ARCTIC CONVOYS by

                                      R Woodman.)

          22nd         Joined inward Convoy JW51B with HM Corvette HYDERABAD,

                           HM Fleet Minesweeper BRAMBLE and two trawlers as Escort.

          24th          First German sighting.

          25th          HM Destroyers ACHATES, OBEDIENT, OBDURATE, ONSLOW,

                           ORIBI and ORWELL joined as Fighting Escort during passage to

                           Kola Inlet.

                           Passage delayed by weather conditions and some ships straggled.

                           (Note: Cruiser cover provided by HMS SHEFFIELD and HMS JAMAICA

                                      with Distant cover from Home Fleet ships including HM Battleship

                                      ANSON.

           30th         Convoy under threat of attack by German armoured ship LUTZOW.

                           Cruiser ADMIRAL HIPPER and destroyers which had been sailed from

                            Altenfjiord after sighting report from U354.

           31st          Remained with some ships of original convoy which had rejoined

                            (Note: Enemy report made by HMS OBDURATE after coming under fire from German ships.

                                        ADMIRAL HIPPER and destroyers which carried out attack with 11”main armament.

                                        HMS BRAMBLE sustained immediate fatal damage and sank in position 73,18N 30,06E

                                        with no survivors.

                                        HMS HYDERABAD had sighted enemy ships beforehand but made no enemy report as the

                                        ships were believed to be Russian destroyers,

                                        This delay may not have been significant but at least would have given earlier warning of the

                                        presence of the enemy force.)

                            Ship did not take part in the engagement by Home Fleet ships.

                            See Naval Staff History and above references.

 

1 9 4 3

 

January

             2nd         HMS HYDERABAD detached from convoy.

             3rd          Detached from convoy and took passage to Archangel to begin local minesweeping and duties.

                             escort duties.

 

           29th           Joined return Convoy RA52 as part of Ocean Escort with HM Corvettes HONEYSUCKLE,

                             HYDERABAD, OXLIP, 11 Home Fleet destroyers and HM Fleet Minesweeper SEAGULL.

 

February

             8th           Detached from RA 52 and took passage to resumed convoy defence in Western Approaches.

 

March                   Atlantic convoy defence in continuation

to

May

 

June                      Nominated for escort of military convoys to Gibraltar as part of preparation for planned allied

                              landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY)

           24th            Deployed as part of escort of Convoy KMS Series convoy during passage to Gibraltar.

 

July                        Part of escort for convoy in western Mediterranean.

              4th            Assisted in rescue of survivors from mercantile ST ESSYLT sunk by U-Boat off Algeria

            10th            Deployed for escort of assault convoy to British landing beach,

                                For details of landings see Naval Staff History of for information relating to all mercantiles and warships

                                involved BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser.)

                               On release took passage to UK to resume Atlantic convoy defence.

 

August                   Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence.

to

September

 

November               Detached for Home Fleet duties.

           22nd             Deployed with HM Destroyer BEAGLE, HM Corvettes DIANELLA, POPPY and HM Fleet

                                Minesweeper HALCYON as part of Ocean Escort for Convoy JW54 during passage to Kola Inlet.

           23rd              Eight Home Fleet destroyers  joined Ocean Escort.

                                (Note: Cruiser Cover and Distant Cover were provided by ships of Home Fleet

 

December

             3rd              Detached from JW54B on arrival at Archangel after uninterrupted passage.

           31st               Joined HM Destroyers WHITEHALL, WRESTLER, HM Corvettes HONEYSUCKLE and

                                 OXLIP for Ocean Escort of return Convoy RA55B from Kola Inlet to Loch Ewe.

                                 Sailed from Kola Inlet with RA55B

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

             7th               Detached from RA55B on arrival of Local Escort into Loch Ewe

           22nd              Deployed as Local Escort for outward Convoy JW56B during initial stage of passage to Kola Inlet

                                 from Loch Ewe with HM Destroyer WHITEHALL, HM Fleet Minesweepers HYDRA, ONYX,

                                 and HM Corvette HONEYSUCKLE

           25th               Detached from Local Escort for JW56B on arrival of Ocean Escort and resumed convoy defence in

                                 Western Approaches.

 

February                   Home Fleet duties in continuation.

             3rd               Deployed with HM Destroyers WESTCOTT, WHITEHALL, HM Sloop CYGNET, HM

                                  Corvettes DIANELLA, OXLIP, and POPPY and joined return Convoy RAA56 during passage

                                  from North Russia.

            11th               Detached from RA56 with ships of escort and returned to Scapa Flow.

            20th               Joined outward Convoy JW57 as Ocean Escort during passage to Kola Inlet with HM Destroyers

                                  BEAGLE, BOADICEA, KEPPEL, WALKER, HM Corvettes BLUEBELL, CAMELLIA and

                                  LOTUS.

                                  (Note:  Cover was provided by HM Cruiser BLACK PRINCE with screen of 13 Home Fleet

                                               destroyers with two Home Fleet cruisers

                                               The escort was also implemented by HM Escort Aircraft Carrier CHASER and a

                                               separate screen of two frigates and two destroyers because of the known increase in

                                               threat of U Boat attacks. See above references and HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by

                                               Blair.

            28th               Detached from JW57 on arrival at Kola Inlet

                                  (Note: HM Destroyer MAHRATTA of Home Fleet destroyer screen was sunk by U990 during

                                               the only attack on the convoy which had been successfully defended by the presence of

                                               air cover and a strong anti-submarine escort.

 

March

              2nd               Sailed from Kola Inlet as part of Close Anti-submarine escort of return Convoy RA57.

                                   with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BOADICEA, KEPPEL, WALKER, HM Fleet Minesweepers

                                   GLEANER,  SEAGULL, HM Corvettes  BLUEBELL, CAMELLIA and LOTUS.

                                   (Note: HMS BLACK PRINCE AND HMS CHASER sailed in the body of the convoy which had

                                               a strong screen.)

                                   For details of U-Boat sinkings and air defence of convoy see references.)

            10th               Detached from RA57 on arrival at Loch Ewe.

            27th               Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweepers RATTLESNAKE, ONYX, ORESTES and  HM

                                   Corvette STARWORT and Local escort for outward Convoy JW58 during initial stage of passage

                                   to Kola Inlet.

            29th               Detached from JW58 on arrival of main body of escort and resumed Atlantic convoy defence

                                  (Note: Russian Convoy operations were suspended because of the planned allied landings in

                                               Normandy (OPERATION NEPTUNE)

 

April                           Nominated for support of planned allied landings in Normandy

                                    (For details of naval activities prior to and during landings see LANDINGS IN NORMANDY,

                                    June 1944 (HMSO), OPERATION NEPTUNE by K Edwards and for information relating to

                                    all mercantiles and warships involved D-DAY SHIPS by J de Winser)

                                    Nominated for service in 139th Escort Group with HM Destroyer WHITEHALL, HM Trawlers

                                    SKOMER and ULVA (Note: joined them by June).

 

May                             Passage to Milford Haven to join Group

                                     (Note: Participation in preliminary exercises for NEPTUNE to be confirmed)

 

June                             Deployed with Group at Milford Haven.

              4th                  Sailed with Convoy EBC1 from Milford Haven

                                    Reversed course on passage due to delay for landings. See referenced

                                    (Note: Convoy comprised stores coasters.

              5th                 Resumed passage to Solent.

              6th                 Passage through swept Channel to Beach Head,

              7th                 Detached from convoy on arrival in Western Task Force area.

              8th                 Deployed for escort of Follow-up convoys as required in Build-up Plan.

            27th                 On termination of NEPTUNE  took passage to resume Atlantic convoy escort deployment.

 

July                             Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

to

August

 

September                   Nominated for transfer to 8th Escort Group

                                    (Note: Other ships in Group included HM destroyers BEAGLE, WESTCOTT, HM Sloops

                                    CYGNET and LARK.

 

October                       Nominated with ships of Group for detached service with Home Fleet as escort for Russian

                                    convoy)

            20th                 Deployed with HM Destroyer WALKER, HM Sloops LAPWING, LARK, HM Corvettes

                                    CAMELLIA, and OXLIP as Close Escort for Russian Convoy JW61 during passage to Kola

                                    Inlet.

            22nd                Main Escort comprising HM Cruiser DIDO with screen of six Home Fleet destroyers and air

                                    cover was  provided by HM Escort Aircraft Carriers NAIRANA, VINDEX and TRACKER

                                    with separate screen of 12 Frigates from Western Approaches Command.

            28th                 Detached on arrival of JW61 at Kola Inlet after safe passage due to presence of air cover and

                                    excellent anti-submarine defence.

 

November

              2nd                Joined return Convoy RA61 on departure from Kola Inlet as part of Ocean Escort made up of

                                    ships deployed for JW61 including air cover from escort carriers.

              9th                 Detached from RA61 on arrival at Loch Ewe

                                    (Note: No mercantiles were lost  although HM Frigate MOUNSEY was hit by torpedo and had

                                                 to return to Kola Inlet.

                                    Resumed convoy defence with Group IN Western Approaches.

 

December                    Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence.

                                     (Note: HM Destroyer WALKER, HM Corvettes ALNWICK CASTLE, BLUEBELL and

                                                  OXLIP joined Group.)

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

                                     Nominated fro detached service with Home Fleet for Russian Convoy defence.

                                     Took passage to Clyde

                                     (Note: Loch Ewe was no longer being used for assembly of Russian Convoys.)

 

February

              3rd                 Deployed with HM Sloops CYGNET, LARK, HM Destroyer WHITEHALL, HM Corvettes

                                     BAMBOROUGH  CASTLE, and BLUEBELL as escort for Russian Convoy JW64 and

                                     sailed from Clyde.

              6th                  Addition escorts joined including HM Cruiser BELLONA, HM Escort Carriers CAMPANIA.

                                     NAIRANA, nine Home Fleet destroyers and other anti-submarine ships.

                                     First sighting by aircraft.

              7th                  Under sustained air attacks during which seven enemy aircraft were destroyed.

            10th                  Further torpedo air attacks which were repelled with loss of seven aircraft.

            13th                  Under U-Boat attacks during which HM Corvette DENBIGH CASTLE was hit and towed to

                                     Kola Inlet by HMS BLUEBELL where she foundered after grounding.

            15th                  Detached from JW64 on arrival at Kola Inlet.

            16th                  Sailed from Kola Inlet with HM Sloops CYGNET, LAPWING, LARK, HM Corvettes

                                     ALNWICK CASTLE and BAMBOROUGH CASTLE to carry out anti-submarine operations

                                     against a group of U-Boats known to be assembling off shore to carry out attacks on return

                                     Convoy RA64 during departure.

            17th                  During these operations U425 was sunk by HMS ALNWICK CASTLE and HMS LARK

                                      Joined RA64 as Close Escort after convoy assembled

                                     HM Sloop LARK hit by a torpedo from U968 during assembly of convoy and had to be

                                     abandoned.

                                     (Note: This ship was later towed to Kola Inlet and declared at Total Constructive Loss

                                                 HMS BLUEBELL was hit by torpedo from U711 and blew-up on impact with no

                                                 survivors.

           18th                   Convoy dispersed during extreme weather

                                     (Note: Many warships sustained very significant damage requiring extensive repair on arrival)

            20th                  Convoy re-assembled except for four mercantiles out of the 33 which sailed from Kola Inlet.

            25th                  Four Home Fleet destroyers joined to reinforce escort.

            28th                  Detached from RA64 on arrival in Clyde.

 

March                          Resumed service with Group in Western Approaches command and deployed in Home waters

                                     for convoy defence and support of anti-submarine operations against U-Boats carrying out

                                     attacks on convoys in assembly areas

                                     (Note: U-Boats were carrying out attacks in coastal waters especially in Channel and SW

                                                  Approaches by SCHNORKEL fitted  submarines.

                                                  Atlantic convoys had been re-routed via English Channel for passage to London and

                                                  North Sea ports after  the threat of air attacks from French bases had been removed.

                                                  See HOLD THE NARROW SEAS  by P Smith.)

 

April                             Nominated for detached service with Home Fleet.

                                      Passage to Clyde to join Russian Convoy JW66.

            16th                   Deployed with HM Sloop CYGNET, HM Corvettes ALNWICK CASTLE, BAMBOROUGH

                                      CASTLE, FARNHAM CASTLE, HM Corvettes HONEYSUCKLE, LOTUS and OXLIP as

                                      Close escort for JW66 during passage to Kola Inlet.

                                      (Note: Frigates of 19th Escort Group were deployed for anti-submarine support and air cover

                                                  was provided by HM Escort Carriers PREMIER and VINDEX with cover by HM Cruiser

                                                  BELLONA screened by nine  Home Fleet destroyers.

            25th                   Carried out anti-submarine attacks in position ahead of convoy to disperse U-Boats known to

                                      be awaiting arrival of convoy at Kola Inlet.

                                       Detached from JW66 on arrival at Kola Inlet.

            29th                   Sailed with escort for return Convoy RA66 comprising same ships with surface and air cover

                                       as for JW66,

                                       Under attack by U968 and U307 on departure during which HM Frigate GOODALL was hit

                                       by torpedo from U968 and was sunk. Some of her ship’s company were rescued by HMS

                                       HONEYSUCKLE. which got alongside stricken ship in a most commendable operation.

                                       U268 was sunk later by frigates of 19th Escort Group

                                       (Note: Anti-submarine operations had been carried out off Kola Inlet on a known assembly

                                                   of some 10 or more submarines which drove them deep and prevented an heavy

                                                   attacks during assembly.)

 

May

            12th                    Detached on arrival of RA66 in Clyde and deployed for collection of surrendered U-Boats

 

June                                Deployed in Home waters with ships of Group

to  August

 

Po s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS RHODODENDRON Paid-off after VJ Day and was placed in Reserve after de-storing. The ship was place on the Disposal List and sold in 1950 to a shipping company. She traded under the name MAJ FINKE and was sold for demolition in South Africa in 1968.

---

 

Addenda

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS RHODODENDRON

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)