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  SERVICE HISTORIES OF ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS IN WORLD WAR 2

HMS DERBY HAVEN - Coastal Forces Depot Ship

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 1998 - further editing and formatting is required

HMS Derby Haven (Photo Ships, click to enlarge) return to Contents List 
 

LOCH-Class Anti-Submarine Frigate initially ordered on 13th February 1943 from Swan Hunter at Newcastle with propulsion machinery to be provided by Wallsend Slipway Machinery. She was laid down on 11th February 1944 as LOCH ASSYNT but later in 1944  the build contract was changed and the ship was converted for use as Coastal Forces Depot Ship to be named DERBY HAVEN. This name, that of a village in the SE corner of the Isle of Man is associated with the Earls of Derby and thus with the famous annual horse race held at Epsom. Launched on 14th December 1944 she was the first RN ship to carry this name and build was completed on 2nd August 1945.

B a t t l e  H o n o u r s

None

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  Incorporates a version of the Arms of the Isle of Man and the

Black and White racing colours of the Earl of Derby.

 

M o t t o

“Wherever I am sent I remain steadfast.”

(Note:  Adapted from the Arms of the Isle of Man.)

 

Geographic Location

Grid Reference:  SC2867. Bay in SE corner of the Isle of Man.

 

Manning Port

Chatham

 

 

S u m m a r y   o f   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 5

 

July                       Nominated for service in East Indies Fleet.

                              Contractors trials

 

August                 Commissioned for service.

                              Commanding Officer:   Commander TA Sergeant, RNR

        2nd                Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                              On completion of trials and storing too passage to Portland.

 

September             Sailed from Portland to join East Indies Fleet

to October             Nominated for duty at Singapore.

 

November           Arrived at Singapore after call at Colombo

 

December             Deployed at Singapore as Depot Ship for Harbour Defence ML’s and BYMS.

                               (Note:  BYMS were US Built and provided under Lend Lease Agreement.)

 

 

1 9 4 6

 

January                  Singapore deployment in continuation.

                               Under repair at Singapore after sustaining damage whilst under way in Singapore Roads.

                               Resumed support duties at anchor off Singapore.

 

February                Deployed off Singapore for Depot Ship duties.

to March                (Note:  This ship designated Flagship for Flag Officer Malaya and in early March accommodated

                                            Mr F C Gibson, Governor-General for Malaya pending his move to shore.).

 

April                      Support duties and Flag at Singapore.

to June

 

July                        Carried out visit programme to ports on both coasts of Malaya.

to August               (Note:  Visits to Siam to be confirmed. BYMS were operating in Gulf of Siam.

                                            Commander R F Jennings, RN was appointed in command.)

 

September             At Penang

             1Oth          Sailed to Singapore from Penang.

             15th           Arrived at Singapore.

 

October                  Visited Palembang

to November          (Note:  Extensive minesweeping operations were being carried out in Dutch East Indies)

                                Returned to Singapore. 

 

December               Nominated for return to UK to reduce to Reserve status.

 

1 9 4 7

 

January                   Passage to UK

to February

 

March                     Paid-off at Chatham and destored.

 

April                       Accepted into Reserve Fleet and laid-up at Chatham.

to December

 

1 9 4 8

 

January                   Transferred to Reserve Fleet at Sheerness.

 

February                 Deployed as Living Ship for Minesweeper Group and moored in Medway with other Living Ships.

to August

 

September              Transfer to Persia agreed and to be refitted for service as Frigate before delivery to Persia.

 

October                   Taken in tow to HM Dockyard, Chatham for refit and conversion to Frigate role.

 

November               Under refit.

to December           (Note:  Refit work included removal of all British classified material and other equipment fitted

                                             for depot ship use. Armament was restored to original LOCH Class design.)

 

1 9 4 9

 

January                   Under refit.

to March                 (Note:  RN steaming crew to be made up of personnel on draft to join ships on East Indies Station.

                                 Post refit harbour trials.

  

April                        Post refit harbour and sea trials.

to May                    Sustained damage in collision with HM Fleet Minesweeper FLY and docked for repair.

                                 (Note:  HMS FLY was also being transferred to Persia and had refitted at Chatham)

                                Undocked and completed trials.

                                Steaming crew joined and ship prepared for passage to Khorramshah.

 

June                        Passage to Persian Gulf.

 

July                         Arrived at Khorramshah.

            30th             Formal transfer to Persian Navy and renamed BADR (Panther)

Final Phase

This ship served as BADR and was deployed as a Frigate until September 1969 when she was stricken from the Active List.

 

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