This log commenced when Rear
Admiral E.L.S. King, C.B., M.V.O. raised his Flag in
NAIAD 18 July 1940
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
18th July to 31st
July
1940
Thursday, 18th July 1940
Rear Admiral E.L.S. King, C.B., M.V.O., hoisted
his Flag at 0800 in H.M.S. NAIAD which was secured
alongside the Tyne Commission Quay at North Shields.
Saturday,
20th July
It was intended that the NAIAD should sail at
0600 but the Tyne
was closed to shipping at 0100 owing to magnetic mines
in the entrance to the river.
H.M.S. NAIAD eventually sailed at 1600 and was
met outside the entrance by a destroyer escort
consisting of the BEDOUIN and PUNJABI.
Cruising turbine trials were carried out at 21
knots on passage to Rosyth.
Sunday,
21st July
H.M.S. NAIAD and escort arrived at Rosyth and
anchored below the bridge at 0013.
The three ships weighed at 0900 and proceeded to
sea. During the day, the NAIAD carried out full
power trials and steering trials in the war channels,
returning to Rosyth and anchoring above the bridge at
2311. H.M. Ships BEDOUIN and PUNJABI were given berths
in Rosyth dockyard.
Monday,
22nd July
A demonstration flight was made by a single
Whirlwind Fighter at 1700 over the Forth
and Dockyard.
Tuesday,
23rd July
An air raid warning was received at 0020 and the
NAIAD went to action stations until 0210. No
aircraft was sighted nor were any bombs dropped.
Magnetic mines were however laid and the Port
of Rosyth was closed from 0140 until 1511.
H.M.S. NAIAD went to action stations again at 2340,
after hearing air raid sirens on the North shore,
securing 10 minutes later.
Wednesday,
24th July
H.M.S. NAIAD weighed at 0800 and proceeded to
sea for gun trials, the BEDOUIN and PUNJABI acting as
A/S escort. On completion of the trials which
were carried out in the war channels, the BEDOUIN and
PUNJABI were detached and ordered to proceed to Scapa
while the NAIAD returned to Rosyth anchoring above the
bridge at 1832.
Thursday,
25th July
H.M.S. NAIAD weighed at 2013 and proceeded to
Scapa. Owing to the reported presence of a U
boat in the Moray Firth,
it was decided to proceed outside the East Coast mine
barrier. Accordingly the barrier was crossed
through Gap A.
Friday,
26th July
At 0120, when clear to the eastward of the mined
area, course was altered to 025 degrees until position
58-00 Degrees North, 00-20 Degree East was reached at
0445. Course was then altered to the
northwestward.
At 0523 a single enemy bomber approaching from
the eastward at a steady height of 5000 feet, dropped
a salvo of four bombs which fell about 150 yards clear
of the port quarter. Circling round, the bomber
dropped a second salvo at 05030; these fell about 100
yards from the port quarter. Avoiding action was
taken. Fire was opened but was
ineffective. H.M.S. NAIAD anchored at Scapa in
M.4 berth at 1057.
In the next berth, was anchored H.M.S.
BONAVENTURE which had arrived at Scapa on Thursday,
25th July.
Saturday,
27th July
At anchor in Scapa
Flow
Sunday,
28th July
At anchor in Scapa Flow.
Rear Admiral Commanding, 15th Cruiser Squadron, walked
round ships’ companies of NAIAD and BONAVENTURE.
Monday,
29th July
H.M. Ships NAIAD and
BONAVENTURE working up practices in the Flow.
Tuesday,
30th July
H.M. Ships NAIAD and
BONAVENTURE working up practices in the Flow. H.M.S. NAIAD proceeding
outside Hoxa Boom for a
short period to clear 6 of her guns. H.M.S.
AJAX, placed under the Administration of Rear Admiral
Commanding, 15th Cruiser Squadron, while at Scapa.
Wednesday,
31st July
H.M.S. NAIAD working up practices in the
Flow. H.M.S. BONAVENTURE at anchor.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
1st to 15th August 1940
Ships of the 15th Cruiser Squadron present
NAIAD, BONAVENTURE, and AJAX
Thursday, 1st August 1940,
Friday, 2nd August, Saturday, 3rd August
At Scapa working up.
Fog considerably interfered with programme.
Red air raid warning received at 2345 on
Friday. Night action stations until 0040
Saturday.
Sunday,
4th August
The Commander in Chief, Home Fleet, walked round
ship’s company on NAIAD.
Monday,
5th August – Thursday, 15th August
15th Cruiser Squadron at Scapa working up.
On Wednesday 14th August at
1500. H.M.S. NAIAD dragged across the
AJAX’s bow in a N.W. gale. The
AJAX’s stem was damaged. Superficial
damage to the NAIAD’s
starboard side. H.M.S. NAIAD cables
foul and port anchor and seven shackles of cable had
to be slipped before the NAIAD could weigh and shift
berth.
Port anchor and cable received by mooring
lighter and returned to NAIAD A.M. Thursday 15th
August.
H.M.S. AJAX left Scapa A.M. Thursday 15th for
repairs at Liverpool.
Thursday,
15th August
At 2145, H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE sailed
from Scapa to relieve NORFOLK
and AUSTRALIA on patrol on the Meridian
of 7-30 degrees West between limits of 63-10 degrees
North and 66 degrees North.
Speed of advance and passage 22 knots, the
Squadron passing west of the Orkneys and East of the Faroes.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
16th to 31st AUGUST 1940
Friday,
16th August
Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron passed east and north
of Faroes on passage on
patrol (vide Diary for 15th August). Speed had
to be reduced for weather during the forenoon and
southerly point of patrol was not reached until 1520.
Line ahead patrol
was then started H.M.S. BONAVENTURE being stationed
seven miles to the southward, speed of advance 15
knots. Wind remained fresh from N.W. and
visibility moderate, but by 1800 visibility was good
and distance between ships was increased to 12 miles.
Ships were ordered to reverse courses every 12
hours at 0300 and 1500 and a daily rendezvous arranged
at 1500 at the southerly point of the patrol.
Visibility became variable during night with
patches of fog.
Saturday,
17th August
Courses were reversed to 180 degrees at
0300. A S.W. wind increased after daylight and a
gale warning covering the area was received.
Visibility variable improving as wind increased.
H.M.S. BONAVENTURE sighted by H.M.S. NAIAD at
1455. Courses reversed to 360 degrees at 1500
and the BONAVENTURE stationed fifteen miles to
southward.
Sunday,
18th August
Courses reversed to 180 at 0300.
Rendezvous not made at 1500 but H.M.S. BONAVENTURE
sighted at 1930 having close H.M.S. NAIAD on bearing
obtained by R.D/F. Station readjusted.
Wind decreasing, visibility good. Aircraft
cooperated from 1100.
At 1330 received Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet’s 1137/18th August ordering 15th Cruiser
Squadron to leave patrol at 0800/19th August and
return to Scapa.
At 1828 received Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet’s 1716/18 giving movements of U.S.A. American
Legion and ordered ships not to close her if sighted.
At 2315 NAIAD exercised searchlights and fired
on 5.25 inch star shell to test effect. H.M.S.
BONAVENTURE exercised searchlights during first watch.
Monday,
19th August
H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE rendezvoused at
0800 in position 64-55 degrees North,
7-30 degrees West and withdrew from patrol setting
course for Scapa to pass east of the Faroes.
Nothing was sighted during the course of the patrol.
Air escort was provided from noon till dusk.
Carried out Range and
Inclination exercise during forenoon and H.A. firing
at smoke bursts 1500 – 1700 (H.T.O. 101).
Tuesday,
20th August
Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron arrived off Scapa at
0600 but was unable to enter harbour
until 1120 as enemy mine laying
during the night was suspected.
Ships took up the following berths: H.M.S. NAIAD
– M.4, H.M.S. BONAVENTURE – M.1
Wednesday,
21st August – Saturday, 31st August
At Scapa.
Bad weather prevented any working up practices being
carried out during this period. NAIAD made good
severe oil leaks in turrets. BONAVENTURE fitted
new temporary main coil D.G. gear and cleaned one
boiler.
On Sunday, 25th August, the Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet, walked round ship’s company of H.M.S.
BONAVENTURE.
At 0225, 27th August, H.M. Ships NAIAD and
BONAVENTURE opened fire on an enemy aircraft laying or
attempting to lay mines in the Flow. Nothing was
seen to be dropped by the aircraft.
P.M. Friday, 30th, ships took up the following
berths: H.M.S. NAIAD – E Buoy, H.M.S.
BONAVENTURE – (n.b.
right margin chopped).
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
1st to 15th SEPTEMBER 1940
Sunday,
1st September to Thursday 5th September
At Scapa, exercising. On Monday, 2nd
September, while Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron was
carrying out night firing in the
Pentland
Firth, magnetic mines were dropped by enemy aircraft
in the Flow. The Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron
remained at sea all night entering harbour
at 1030 Tuesday, 3rd September.
Friday,
6th September to Saturday, 7th September
At 0800 6th September, Fifteenth Cruiser
Squadron in company with NELSON, FURIOUS and seven
destroyers sailed. This force proceeded
to a position 62 degrees North, 1 degree Eat which was
reached at 0500 Saturday, 7th September.
FURIOUS then flew off aircraft to attack
shipping off the Norwegian coast and return to shore
base. All ships returned to Scapa arriving at
2000 7th September.
Sunday,
8th September to Thursday, 12th September
At Scapa exercising
Monday,
9th September
H.M.S. PHOEBE commissioned at Glasgow
for trials and service.
Tuesday,
10th September
H.M.S. DIDO commissioned at Liverpool
for trials and service.
Friday,
13th September
At 0600 NELSON, HOOD, 15th Cruiser Squadron and
six destroyers sailed for Rosyth. H.M.S. CAIRO
and two destroyers joined later.
A.M. carried out Range and Inclination Exercises
with Battlefleet.
At 1400 NAIAD and BONAVENTURE, who were stationed five
miles abeam to the eastward of the Battlefleet,
sighted an enemy aircraft shadowing. Fire was
opened by both ships at extreme range at 1413 and the
aircraft withdrew out of range.
The fleet arrived at Rosyth at 1900, NAIAD
secured to No. 14 Buoy and BONAVENTURE anchoring in
B.5 berth.
Saturday,
14th September to Sunday 15th September
At Rosyth
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
16TH to 30TH SEPTEMBER 1940
Monday, 16th September 1940
At 0105 NAIAD, BONAVENTURE and three destroyers
proceeded to intercept an enemy convoy of eleven ships
reported by aircraft in position 55-20 degrees North,
02-32 degrees East at 2114/15th September. It is
understood that this position was subsequently found
to be erroneous and at 0440 Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet, ordered the force to return to harbour.
Rosyth was reached at 0630.
Tuesday,
17th September to Sunday, 22nd September
At Rosyth
Monday,
23rd September
At 0800 NAIAD and BONAVENTURE proceeded to sea
for H.A. firing in Area G and throw off firing by
NAIAD, returning to Rosyth at 1700.
Tuesday,
24th September to Friday 27th September
At Rosyth
Saturday,
28th September
At 1745, HOOD, NAIAD, and three destroyers
sailed to search for enemy surface vessels reported
sixty miles west of Stavanger
at 1400.
Sunday,
29th September
At 1049, when in position 60-39 degrees North,
1-05 degree East, the force was ordered back to harbour,
HOOD and destroyers to Scapa, NAIAD to Rosyth.
NAIAD parted company from HOOD at 1630 in
position 58-43 degrees North,
1-34 degrees West and proceeded to the eastward of the
East Coast mine barrage.
Monday,
30th September
NAIAD arrived at Rosyth at 1220 and secured to
No. 14 Buoy. BONAVENTURE carried out special
trials with aircraft.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
1ST to 15th OCTOBER 1940
Tuesday,
1st October to Thursday, 3rd October
NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at
Rosyth.
Friday,
4th October
NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at sea
exercising.
H.A. firing by BONAVENTURE during which the towing
aircraft crashed, the crew being picked up unhurt.
Both ships carried out anti E Boat firings.
DIDO and PHOEBE arrived
Scapa to work up.
Saturday,
5th October to Thursday, 15th October
NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at
Rosyth.
DIDO and PHOEBE at Scapa.
On Tuesday, 8th October, NAIAD and BONAVENTURE
acted as target ships for throw off firing by NELSON
and RODNEY.
On Saturday, 12th October, NAIAD carried out
Fighter Direction Trials at sea.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
16th to 31st OCTOBER 1940
Wednesday, 16th October 1940
to Thursday, 17th October
H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE left Rosyth at
1530 Wednesday, 16th October and after carrying out
night encounter exercise with six destroyers, the
whole for proceeded to the Tyne
to escort H.M.S. KING GEORGE V to Rosyth arriving back
at Rosyth at 1430 Thursday. After being detached
to rendezvous at the entrance to the Tyne, the FAME
and ASHANTI ran aground at Whitburn.
This
operation was fully reported in my letter No. 735/3
dated 18th October 1940
to the Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
Friday,
18th October to Tuesday 22nd October
H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at
Rosyth. NAIAD carrying out
Fighter Direction trials at sea on Saturday, 19th
October.
Wednesday,
23rd October to Thursday, 24th October
H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE left Rosyth at
0815 Wednesday, 23rd October to attack shipping off
the southwestern Norwegian coast, returning to Rosyth
at 1530 Thursday, 24th October.
This Operation (D.N. 2) was fully reported in my
letter No. 735/5 dated 26th
October
1940 to the Commander in Chief,
Home Fleet.
Friday,
25th October to Thursday, 31st October
H.M. Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at
Rosyth. During this period, BONAVENTURE as
alongside in Rosyth dockyard, at the Fleet notice for
steam, making good defects sustained in bad weather
during Operation D.N. 2.
On Thursday, 31st October, NAIAD carried out
Fighter Direction Trials at sea during the course of
which one of the Blenheim fighters attacked an
unidentified aircraft.
Wednesday,
16th October to Thursday, 31st October
H.M. Ships DIDO and PHOEBE
working up at Scapa. They proceeded to sea on 23rd October and
again on 28th October for operations under the orders
of the Vice Admiral Commanding, Battle Cruiser
Squadron.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
1st to 18th NOVEMBER 1940
Friday, 1st November 1940
to Sunday 3rd November
H.M.
Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE at Rosyth, DIDO and PHOEBE
at Scapa. On Saturday, 2nd November
BONAVENTURE completed her repairs and anchored in the
stream.
Monday,
4th November
H.M.
Ships NAIAD and BONAVENTURE sailed at 1150 and both
ships carried out H.A. firing between 1430 and
1530. At 1615, NAIAD carried out anti E boat
firing at a drifting target.
Both
ships rendezvoused with NELSON, RODNEY, and Home Fleet
destroyers off Fidra at
1740 and took station five miles ahead of the
battleships. A night encounter exercise was
cancelled owing to enemy air activity and at 1950,
NAIAD and BONAVENTURE took station astern of the
battleships. Course was set for Scapa.
Tuesday,
5th November
The
Fifteenth Cruiser Squadron was detached at 0445 and proceeded
independently to Scapa arriving at 0700 and finding at
anchor DIDO and PHOEBE.
At
0830 PHOEBE proceeded for exercises returning before
dark. NELSON and RODNEY entered harbour
P.M.
At
2300, after receiving the report of a raider of the
ADMIRAL SCHEER class attacking convoy HX 84 in
position 52-40 degrees North,
32-30 degrees West, HOOD, REPULSE, NAIAD, BONAVENTURE,
PHOEBE, and six destroyers sailed.
Wednesday,
6th November
At
1052 an enemy aircraft, which was not seen, reported
the position of the force. At 1100 in position
58-18 degrees North, 8-36
degrees West, REPULSE, BONAVENTURE, and three
destroyers were detached with orders to steer towards
the last reported position of the raider with the
object of destroying him if he remained on the convoy
route.
HOOD,
NAIAD, PHOEBE, and three destroyers proceeded to the
southward to cover the approaches to Brest
and Lorient.
Thursday,
7th November
At
1057 an enemy long distance reconnaissance machine was
sighted and PHOEBE opened fire. The aircraft
shadowed the force for 20 minutes and reported it at
1140.
At
1800 NAIAD and PHOEBE were stationed 20 miles south
and north of HOOD respectively.
Friday,
8th November
At
0300 instructions were received from the Admiralty to
keep outside air reconnaissance range from Bay of Biscay
ports and to give cover to three homeward bound
convoys which were in company and still well to the
southward.
Course
was altered to the southwestward at 0830 and at 2000
when in position 47-30 degrees North,
17-30 degrees West, the force turned to the northward
to return to Scapa. After closing HOOD by 1700,
NAIAD and PHOEBE were stationed ten miles to the
southward and northward of HOOD, respectively.
Saturday,
9th November
The
wind freshened from the N.W. during the night and when
the cruisers closed HOOD and formed astern at 1000 it
was blowing at gale force.
Sunday,
10th November
N.W.
gale continued.
Monday,
11th November
Wind
eased by noon and force arrived Scapa
1400. REPULSE and BONAVENTURE had arriving
during the forenoon.
At
1930 DIDO sailed for the Clyde
to act as escort for REPULSE and a troop convoy.
At
2245, BONAVENTURE sailed with orders to return to the
position 52-40 degrees North,
32-30 degrees West and search for survivors from
convoy H.X. 84 to the limit of her endurance.
Tuesday,
12th November - Monday 18th November
NAIAD’s
proceedings during this period have been fully
reported in my letter No. 736/6 dated 17th November 1940
to Commander in Chief, Home Fleet.
On Thursday, 14th November, PHOEBE left Scapa
for the Clyde
for alterations by Messrs. Fairfields
to her shell room stowage arrangements.
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
19th to 30st NOVEMBER 1940
H.M.S. NAIAD
Tuesday, 19th November 1940
to Saturday, 30th November 1940
At Scapa.
On Thursday 21st November ammunition carrier COUDIC
slightly damaged NAIAD’s
starboard outer screw. A short trial at sea next
day proved satisfactory at 29 knots.
Ship carried out torpedo firing on Tuesday 26th
November and torpedo and H.A. Firing on Thursday, 28th
November.
H.M.S. BONAVENTURE
Tuesday, 19th November 1940
Returned to Scapa from Operation described in
entry for Monday, 11th November.
Saturday, 23rd November 1940
Left Scapa for Rosyth to be taken in hand for
various alterations, additions, and repairs
Saturday, 23rd November 1940
to Saturday, 30th November 1940
At Rosyth
H.M.S. DIDO
Tuesday, 19th November 1940
to Saturday, 30th November 1940
Detached with H.M.S. FURIOUS
H.M.S. PHOEBE
Tuesday, 19th November 1940
to Saturday, 30th November 1940
In hand for repairs at Clyde
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
1st to 15th DECEMBER 1940
H.M.S. NAIAD
Sunday, 1st December 1940
to Sunday, 15th December 1940
At Scapa.
Full caliber day and night shoots on Monday, 2nd
December and H.A. firing on Wednesday, 11th
December. Other practices including torpedo
firing were also carried out during this period.
H.M. Ships BONAVENTURE and PHOEBE
Sunday, 1st December 1940
to Sunday, 15th December 1940
At Rosyth and Clyde,
respectively, refitting.
H.M.S. DIDO
Sunday, 1st December 1940
to Sunday, 15th December 1940
Detached from H.M.S. FURIOUS.
Arrived Scapa Sunday, 15th December
FIFTEENTH CRUISER SQUADRON FOR THE PERIOD
16th to 31st DECEMBER 1940
H.M.S. NAIAD
Monday, 16th December 1940
Left Scapa for Clyde
Tuesday,
17th December
Arrived Clyde
Thursday,
19th December
Left Clyde for escort of W.S. 5 A fully reported
in my letter No. 0735/7 dated 30th
December
1940 to Commander in Chief, Home
Fleet.
Friday,
27th December to Tuesday, 31st December
Arrived Scapa 27th December.
H.M.S. BONAVENTURE
Monday,
16th December
Left Rosyth for Clyde
Tuesday,
17th December
Carried out H.A. and L.A.
firings in Pentland
Firth
Wednesday,
18th December
Arrived Clyde
Thursday,
19th December to Tuesday, 31st December
Escorting convoy W.S. 5 A and subsequently
detached at Gibraltar
under S.O. Force H.
H.M.S. DIDO
Monday,
16th December
At Scapa
Tuesday,
17th December
Left Scapa for the Tyne.
Wednesday,
18th December to Tuesday, 31st December
In hand for repairs by Wallsend
Slipway and Engineering Company, Tyne
H.M.S. PHOEBE
Monday,
16th December to Friday, 20th December
At Clyde
completing refit. Left Clyde
for Scapa 20th December
Saturday,
21st December to Monday, 23rd December
At Scapa
Tuesday,
24th December
Left Scapa and arrived Oban
Wednesday,
25th December to Tuesday, 31st December
At Oban as A/A guardship for protection of
trade.
