HALCYON-Class
Minesweeper ordered from John I Thornycroft
at Woolston
on 23rd February
1933
with sister
ship
to
be name HMS HARRIER as part of the 1st
Group of this Class. Her
reciprocal propulsion machinery was
to be
supplied by the builder. The ship was
laid down as
Yard No 1118 on 28th August 1933 and
launched on 27th August 1934 as the
10th RN warship to carry this name
which
had been introduced for a 6th Rate
built at Chatham in 1757. It was last
used for a Torpedo Gunboat built by HM
Dockyard, Devonport in 1894 and sold
in 1920. Build was completed on 16th
January 1935. She was adopted
by the civil community of Kirkburto
in the West Riding of Yorkshire after.
a
successful WARSHIP WEEK National
Savings campaign in
November 1941.
B a t t l
e H o n o u r s
RAISON action 1795 - JAVA 1811 -
DARDANELLES 1915-16 - ARCTIC 1941-44
-
NORTH
AFRICA 1942-43 - ATLANTIC 1943 -
NORMANDY 1944
H e r a l d i c D a
t a
On a Field Red, two light cavalry
sabres Proper
M
a n n i n g P o r t
Chatham
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
Deployed with HM Minesweepers HALCYON,
HARRIER, LEDA,
NIGER, SALAMANDER,
GOSSAMER, SKIPJACK, SPEEDWELL and SPHINX
based at Dover as 5th Minesweeping
Flotilla. Mine clearance in Nore
Command..
October
Minesweeping based at Dover in
continuation..
November
Transferred to Grimsby with ships of
Flotilla to ensure clear passage of East
Coast convoy routes.
4th
Sustained slight structural damage in
collision with HMS SPEEDWELL
20th
During operation near Humber LV
detonated mine in sweep which exploded
causing damage
but no casualties.
December
Resumed Flotilla duties in North Sea on completion of repair.
1 9 4 0
January
Transferred to 4th Minesweeping Flotilla
with sister ship HMS HALCYON and
remained at
Grimsby minesweeping and convoy defence
in southern North Sea.
(Note: Other ships of 5th Flotilla moved
north to Rosyth for minesweeping off
Scottish east cast.
February
Humber based deployment in continuation
15th
Detonated mine during sweep ahead of a
routine FN series convoy near Smiths
Knoll.
March
North Sea minesweeping with 4th Flotilla based at
Grimsby in
continuation.
April
Transferred with HMS HALCYON to newly
formed 6th Minesweeping Flotilla based
at Dover
(Note: HM Fleet Minesweepers HARRIER,
SKIPJACK and SPEEDWELL also joined this
Flotilla on formation.)
May
Deployed in Nore Command with Flotilla
15th
Under attack by aircraft off coast of
Holland and hit by bomb which exploded
and damaged
quarter-deck killing three and wounding
ten of the ship’s company.
Passage to North Shields for repair
Pennant Number for visual signalling
purposes changed to J82 as part of
changes of these
in all RN warships.
21st
Taken in hand for repair in commercial
shipyard.
June
21st
On completion resumed Flotilla duties in
North Sea based at Harwich
July
10th
Under air attack whilst sweeping off
Ordfordness
Sustained damage and withdrawn from
Flotilla.
Paid off at Chatham
August
Deployed at Chatham
to
Future under consideration
September
Repair arranged at Grimsby
October
Passage fro Chatham to Humber
18th
Taken in hand for refit.
November
7th
Carried out post refit trials and
resumed operational service at Harwich
with 6th Flotilla.
December
North Sea deployment in continuation with Flotilla.
1 9 4 1.
January
North Sea deployment in continuation.
to
March
April
Nominated for deployment in Western
approaches
6th
Under repair at Rosyth.
17th
Resumed Flotilla duties in Western
Approaches
May
Deployed in Western Approaches for
convoy defence and minesweeping.
June
(Note: Also deployed for convoys escort
between Greenock and Forth.)
2nd
Under repair at Aberdeen
15th
Resumed Flotilla duties in Western
Approaches.
July
16th
Under repair at
Southampton.
August
Under repair
September
Nominated for detached deployment in
North Russia on completion
Passage to Hvalfjord to joined escort
for Convoy PQ1 during passage from
Iceland to Archangel.
29th
Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweepers
BRITOMART, GOSSAMER and LEDA for
defence of PQ1,
(For details of all warships and
mercantiles involved in convoys to and
from North Russia
see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA Ruegg, THE
RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield,
CONVOY! by P Kemp and THE RUSSIA CONVOYS
by R Woodman.)
October
11th
Arrived at Archangel after unscathed
passage and commenced minesweeping
duties in North
Russia.
(For details of deployment of
minesweepers in North Russia see FLEET
SWEEPERS AT
WAR by J Williams.)
November
Nominated for return to UK to be
“Articised”.
27th
Deployed with HMS GOSSAMER as escort of
Convoy QP2 during passage from
Archangel to UK
(Note: HMS GOSSAMER was also to be
“Arcticised”.
The standard of habitability of this
Class of minesweeper had been found too
inadequate for service in northern
latitudes.)
December
10th
Detached from QP2 on dispersal with
Russian flagged ships destined to UK
when the other
mercantiles took passage to Iceland.
(Note: There was no enemy interference
during passage.)
Proceeded independently from Kirkwall to
Tees on release from Russian ships.
15th
Taken in hand for “Articisation” by
Commercial shipyard in West Hartlepool.
1 9 4 2
January
Under refit
February
Nominated for further service in North
Russia on completion of refit work
Passage to Kirkwall from Hartlepool.
8th
Sailed from Kirkwall as escort for
Convoy PQ11 with HM Escort Destroyers
AIREDALE,
MIDDLETON, HM Fleet Minesweeper NIGER,
HM Corvette OXLIP and three RN
trawlers during passage to Murmansk.
22nd
HM Cruiser NIGERIA. HM Fleet
Minesweepers HARRIER, HAZARD, SALAMANDER
and three Russian destroyers
Detached on arrival at Murmansk after
uneventful passage and commenced North
Russian patrol and minesweeping duties.
March
Deployed in North Russia
16th
During patrol in
Barents Sea with HMS GOSSAMER
sighted U-Boat on surface which
submerged.
Anti-submarine operations were carried
out for some hours without success.
21st
Deployed with HMS GOSSAMER, HMS HARRIER,
HMS NIGER, HMS SPEEDWELL
and a Russian destroyer for Local Escort
of Convoy QP9 during initial stage of
passage
from Kola Inlet to Reykjavik.
23rd
Detached from QP9 with Local Escort and
returned to Murmansk.
(Note: HMS GOSSAMER one of the Ocean
Escort rammed and sank U655 which was
attacking the convoy.)
29th
Joined inward Convoy PQ13 with HM
Destroyer ORIBI, HMS GOSSAMER, HMS
SPEEDWELL and two Russian destroyers for
Local Escort during final stage of
passage
from Iceland into Murmansk.
April
North Russia deployment in continuation.
10th
Deployed with HMS GOSSAMER, HMS HARRIER
and two Russian destroyers as
Local Escort for Russian Convoy QP10
during initial stage of passage from
Kola Inlet to
Reykjavik.
12th
Detached from QP10 and returned to
Murmansk with Local Escort.
17th
Deployed with HMS GOSSAMER, HARRIER,
NIGER and two Russian destroyers
for Local Escort of inward Convoy PQ14
during final stage of passage into Kola
Inlet
from Iceland.
19th
Detached from PQ14 on arrival.
28th
Deployed with HMS GOSSAMER, HMS HARRIER,
HMS NIGER and two Russian
destroyers for Local Escort of Convoy
QP11 during initial stage of passage
from
Murmansk to Reykjavik.
(Note: Ocean Escort comprised Home Fleet
destroyers, corvettes and a Trawler.
HM Cruiser EDINBURGH and destroyer
screen arrived on 30th April.)
29th
Detached from QP11 for return to
Murmansk.
30th
Diverted with ships of Local Escort to
assist in defence of HMS EDINBURGH
which had been damaged by torpedo from
U456
May
2nd
Took part in defence of HMS EDINBURGH
against arracks by German destroyers
HERMANN SCHOEMANN, Z24 and Z25.
For details see references.
(Note: HMS EDINBURGH sustained further
severe damage including another
torpedo hit HMS HARRIER and GOSSAMER
rescued survivors.).
Returned to Kola Inlet for minesweeping
and patrol duties
June
North Russian deployment in
continuation.
(Note: Extensive air attacks were made
on port of Murmansk during this
period.)
24th
At anchor off Murmansk with HMS GOSSAMER
during air raid.
(Note: HMS GOSSAMER was sunk with heavy
loss of life.)
26th
Deployed with HMS NIGER, Home Fleet
destroyers, corvettes and an AA Ship as
Ocean Escort for Convoy QP13 during
passage to Iceland
July
Convoy progress delayed by adverse
weather conditions
4th
Deployed with HMS NIGER, HM Corvette
ROSELYS and two Trawlers for escort
of 16 mercantiles destined for Iceland
when PQ13 divided and other ships took
passage
to Loch Ewe.
6th
In continued adverse weather conditions
acted as visual link with HMS NIGER
which
had gone ahead to make a landfall.
(Note: HMS NIGER sank after detonating a
British laid mine off Iceland.
Survivors were rescued by HMS ROSELYS
and the two trawlers.
See references.)
7th
Obtained accurate position fix and
escorted mercantiles into Reykjavik.
Passage to UK for refit.
17th
Taken in hand for refit at Milford Haven
refit
August
Under refit
to
September
October
Nominated for minesweeping support of
planned allied landings in North Africa
and convoy defence as part of the 12th
Minesweeping Flotilla. (Operation TORCH)
10th
On completion of shipyard work carried
out post refit trials
Deployed with HM Fleet Minesweeper
SPEEDWELL as part of escort for military
convoy during passage from UK to
Gibraltar
(Note: This convoy was taking troops and
personnel to Gibraltar prior to TORCH
landings.)
Deployed at Gibraltar and prepared for TORCH support.
November
6th
Sailed from Gibraltar to join escort for
military convoy KMF1 during passage to
CHARLIE Beach Head off Algiers.
8th
Deployed for minesweeping support off
Algiers
10th
Passage to Bougie for minesweeping
support during planned
landings (Operation PERPETUAL)
December
Deployed for convoy defence in western
Mediterranean with Flotilla/
1 9 4 3
January
Mediterranean deployment in continuation
for minesweeping and convoy defence.
to
February
March
30th
Taken in hand for repair at Gibraltar by HM Dockyard.
April
Nominated for mine clearance in Central
Mediterranean with Flotilla on
completion
(Operation ANTIDOTE).
7th
Took passage to join Flotilla for
clearance of passage between
western Mediterranean and Tripoli to
enable passage of mercantiles through
Mediterranean
May
ANTIDOTE deployment in continuation.
June
Nominated for return to UK for repair
and withdrawn from ANTIDOTE.
.Passage to Humber for refit in
commercial shipyard
26th
Taken in hand for refit in Hull
July
Under refit
Nominated for further detached service
in North Russia on completion.
August
Carried out post repair trials
On completion commenced work-up for
operational service
September
Worked-up for service
October
Deployed in Home waters
November
Deployment for work-up prior to
operational service to be confirmed.
15th
Joined Convoy JW54A as part of Ocean
Escort for passage to Kola Inlet.
(Note: Other ships in Ocean Escort were
HM Destroyers IMPULSIVE,
ONSLAUGHT, ONSLOW, ORWELL. HAIDA (RCN),
HURON (RCN) and
IROQUOIS (RCN).
24th
Detached from convoy cruiser Cover and
Distant Cover were provided by
ships of Home Fleet, including HM
Battleship ANSON and USS TUSCALOOSA.
25th
Deployed for duties in North Russia.
26th
Provided Local Escort for outward Convoy
RA54B with HM Fleet Minesweeper
SEAGULL during initial stage of passage
from Archangel to Loch Ewe.
28th
Detached from RA54B and took return
passage to Archangel.
December
Deployed for local duties at Archangel.
20th
Provided Local Escort for inward Convoy
JW55A with three Soviet destroyers
during final stage of passage to Kola
Inlet from Loch Ewe.
22nd
Detached on arrival of JW55A at Kola
Inlet
28th
Provided Local Escort for inward Convoy
JW55B with HMS HALCYON and
three Soviet destroyers during final
stage of passage to Kola Inlet from Loch
Ewe.
This convoy was under threat of attack
by German battleship SCHARNHORST
engaged and sunk by HM Battleship DUKE
OF YORK, HM Cruisers BELFAST,
NORFOLK,
BELFAST and Home Fleet
destroyers
See above references and Naval Staff
History for details.
30th
Detached from JW55B on arrival in Kola
Inlet.
31st
Provided Local Escort for outward Convoy
RA55B with HM Fleet Minesweepers
HALCYON and SPEEDWELL during initial
stage of passage from Kola Inlet
to Loch Ewe.
1 9 4 4
January
1st
Detached from RA54B and took return
passage to Archangel.
Deployed for local duties in North
Russia
February
Nominated for return to UK
3rd
Joined
Ocean Escort for return Convoy RA56
during passage to Loch Ewe
with HM Fleet Minesweepers HALCYON and
SPEEDWELL.
(Note: Home Fleet destroyers were also
deployed in Ocean Escort,
See references.
10th
Detached from RA56 before arrival at
Loch Ewe
Transferred to newly re-formed 1st
Minesweeping Flotilla based at Scapa
Flow
(Note: Other ships in Flotilla were HM
Fleet Minesweepers HARRIER (SO).
BRITOMART, GLEANER, HALCYON, JASON,
SALAMANDER
SEAGULL and SPEEDWELL.)
28th
Deployed with HMS HARRIER, HMS JASON and
HMS SPEEDWELL for anti-submarine
work-up.
Nominated with ships of Flotilla for
minesweeping support during planned
allied landings in Normandy (Operation
NEPTUNE).
March
9th
On completion of anti-submarine
exercises carried out minesweeping
exercises with other ships
of 1st Flotilla.
April
Passage to Portsmouth with calls at
Rosyth, North Shields and Harwich.
Joined Force S with ships of Flotilla.
May
Nominated with Flotilla for mine
clearance of approach Channels to the
beach head
anchorage areas.
(Note: Two minesweeping Motor Launches,
one Isles-Class Trawler and three
trawlers
Danlayers were attached to Flotilla for
this specialised operation
Took part in preparatory exercises with
ships of Force S (Exercise FABIUS)
Carried out night sweeping exercises
with Flotilla.
For details of naval activities before
and during landings see LANDINGS IN
NORMANDY JUNE 1944 (HMSO), OPERATION
NEPTUNE by K Edwards
.
and D-DAY SHIPS by J de Winser.
June
Deployed at Portsmouth for briefing and
preparations for minesweeping
of Channel 9 in advance of Assault
convoys.
4th
Operation delayed by 24 hours.
5th
Sailed from Solent to commence Channel
clearance.
No mines cleared or exploded.
6th
On completion deployed for mine sweeping
of anchorages.
8th
Deployed for widening approach Channels
and defence patrols off Eastern Task
Force landing areas.
Carried out Channel convoy escort as
required.
Released from Force S and nominated for
refit at Immingham
Passage to Humber.
18th
Taken in hand for refit at commercial
shipyard.
July
Under refit
27th
Carried out post refit trials after
completion of shipyard work.
On completion took passage to resume
Flotilla duties in English Channel.
August
Channel deployment in continuation off
Arromanches with HM
Minesweepers HARRIER, JASON,
BRITOMART, GLEANER and
SALAMANDER..
22nd
Transferred to Le Havre area for mine
sweeping operation in anchorage
elected for bombardment of enemy
positions by HM Battleship WARSPITE,
HM Monitors EREBUS and ROBERTS.
23rd
Under shore fire during minesweeping
operations.
26th
Permission to remain in area instead of
taking passage back to Arromanches
approved in order to complete clearance.
27th
During final clearance came under rocket
attacks by RAF TYPHOON
aircraft in which ship was hit and sank
after direct hits.
(Casualty
List -
note
on casualties)
(Note: HMS BRITOMART was also hit and
sunk, with major damage to HMS
SALAMANDER in stern structure and later
declared a Total Loss. HMS JASON
and two trawlers were also hit.
For details see OUT SWEEPS by Lund and
Ludlam, FRIEND OR
FOE by P Kemp and Naval Staff History.
This disaster was directly due to
failure of Flag Officer British Assault
Area
to ensure that approval of extended
minesweeping operation had been advised
to
all concerned with air operations.)
Addendum
Link
to
www.halcyon-class.co.uk
by
Bill Burn