Naval History Homepage and Site Search

 

 

SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2000

HMS CAIRO  -  World War 1 C-type Light Cruiser
including Convoy Escort Movements

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMS Cairo (Navy Photos/Mark Teadham, click to enlarge)

return to Contents List 
 

CAPETOWN-Class cruiser ordered from Cammell Laird at Birkenhead in June 1917 and laid down on 28th November that year. The ship was launched on 19th November 1918 as the 2nd RN ship to carry the name, previously used by a Trawler in WW1. Build was completed on 24th September 1919 and this ship served overseas until 1931 when she refitted at Chatham. She then became Flagship of the Commodore (Destroyers) in the Home Fleet for five years until going into Reserve at Devonport. On 4th November 1937 she was selected for conversion into an Anti-Aircraft Cruiser in order to belatedly improve the defence of Fleet units against air attacks. The conversion by was intended to be carried out at Chatham, but this was changed subsequently and work was done by HM Dockyard at Portsmouth. She re-commissioned in her new role in 1939 and war experience off Norway in 1940 proved beyond doubt the value of this change. Following a successful WARSHIP WEEK National Savings campaign in March 1942 this ship was adopted by the civil community of Wandsworth in Greater London.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

NORWAY 1940 - ATLANTIC 1940-41- MALTA CONVOYS 1942

 

 H e r a l d i c   D a t a

Badge:  On a Field Blue, a female Egyptian head proper,

habited Black and Silver, upon three wavelets Silver

 

M o t t o

Kaihara:  'Victory'

 

 

D e t a i l s  of   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             Took up War Station with Channel Force based at Portland.

                6th          Transferred to Nore Command.

                11th        Deployed to provide AA defence during minelay of Dover Barrage by

                HM Minelaying Cruiser ADVENTURE, HM Auxiliary Minelayers

                HAMPTON and SHEPPERTON (Operations GR, DM and HW).

                (For details of all minelaying operations see Naval Staff History MINING).

                19th        On completion deployed at Dover.

                26th        Transferred to Humber Force and took passage to Grimsby.

 

October                  Deployed at Grimsby with Humber Force and carried out patrols in

                                North Sea to provide AA defence for East Coast shipping.

 

November              North Sea deployment in continuation.

 

December              Deployed with HM Cruiser CALCUTTA

                                (Note: Details not available but may have been for special AA protection)

                                Called at Aberdeen and at sea over Xmas period.)

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Returned to Thames area to give Leave at Chatham.

                19th        Resumed duties with Humber Force.

                20th        Deployed with Humber Force as part of 20th Cruiser Squadron.

 

February                Humber Force deployment for AA defence of convoys in North Sea and

                                NW Approaches. Assisted mv ORONSAY with HM Armed Merchant

                                Cruiser CHESHIRE after air attack.

 

March                    Deployed for AA defence of convoys to and from Norway with HM Cruisers

                                CALCUTTA and SHEFFIELD.

 

April

                8th          Transferred to Home Fleet after German invasion of Norway.

                11th        Deployed with HM Destroyers VOLUNTEER, WITHERINGTON, VANOC, VOLUNTEER,

                WHIRLWIND and HIGHLANDER as escort for military convoy NP1 taking troops for landings

                at Narvik..

                (Operation RUPERT – For details see NAVAL OPERATIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN IN

                NORWAY (HMSO), NARVIK by D Macintyre and THE DOOMED EXPEDITION by J Adams.)

                14th        Detached with HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM, HM Destroyers VANOC, WHIRLWIND and

                HIGHLANDER to escort Polish liner CHOBRY and

                ss EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA for passage to revised landing at Namsos.

                (See references).

                15th        Diverted to Lillesjona for transfer of troops to shore by destroyers.

                                (Operation MAURICE).

                18th        Met French troopships EL D’JEZAIR, EL MANSOUR, EL KANTARA,

                VILLE D’ORAN and led these ships into Namsos.

                (Note: French cruiser EMIL BERTIN and French destroyer were escort

                from UK).

                19th        Under air attacks during passage through fjords with French destroyers.

                (Note: EMIL BERTIN was hit and had to return).

                Provided AA cover during landings by French troops.

                20th        Escorted empty French transports during return passage to UK.

                25th        Passage to Rosyth from Scapa Flow for refit.

                26th        Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard Rosyth.

 

May

                6th          On completion resumed Home Fleet duties.

                11th        Joined HM Cruiser ENTERPRISE, HM Destroyer HESPERUS and HM Sloop FLEETWOOD

                                taking Scots Guards with ss MARGOT to Mo, south of Narvik, as reinforcements.

                12th        Drove off air attacks after arrival at Mo.

                16th        Deployed as AA Guardship at Harstad.

                17th        Escorted HM Cruiser EFFINGHAM with HM Cruiser COVENTRY, HM Destroyers

                                MATABELE and ECHO during passage from Harstad with troops of South Wales Borderers to

                                Bodo.

                Took part in rescue of troops and ship’s company from HM Cruiser EFFINGHAM after she had

                run aground. See references.

 

June

                1st           Taken in hand for repair by Palmers and Hebburn.

 

July                         Under repair

                                (Note: Type 279 Radar for aircraft warning was fitted.

                                For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse.)

 

August

                12th        Post repair and radar trials on completion before resuming Home

                                Fleet service with Humber Force.

                17th        Provided AA cover during minelay by ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron in East Coast Barrier

                                (Operation SN12 – See above reference)

 

September             Deployed for AA defence in North Sea.

                                (Note: Enemy air activity prior to planned invasion was intense and extensive anti-invasion naval

                                deployments demanded high level AA defence.)

                5th          Provided AA cover during minelay by ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron in East Coast Barrier

                                (Operation SN5A – See above reference.)

 

October                  Under repair and refit at Rosyth.

                                Transferred to Western Approaches Command on completion.

 

November              Deployed in Western Approached based in Clyde.

                2nd         Joined military convoy WS4 in Clyde with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, HESPERUS,

                HURRICANE, OTTAWA (RCN), SAGUENAY (RCN) SKEENA (RCN) and Polish ORP

                GARLAND for return passage to Clyde.

                GARLAND as Local escort during passage in NW Approaches.

                3rd          Detached from WS4 with HMS BEAGLE, HMS HESPERUS, HMS HURRICANE and ORP

                5th          Arrived in Clyde for AA defence in NW Approaches.

                                (Note: Ocean Escort included HM Cruiser CORNWALL)

                18th        Joined military convoy WS4B in Clyde with HM Destroyers BATH,

                ST ALBANS, ST MARY’S, HIGHLANDER, OTTAWA, SAGUENAY, SKEENA and ST

                LAURENT as Local Escort during passage in NW

                Approaches.

                19th        Detached from WS4B with HMS BATH, HMS ST ALBANS and HMS ST MARY’S for return

                                passage to Clyde

                                (Note: Ocean Escort included HM Cruiser EDINBURGH)

 

December              Western Approaches deployment in continuation.

                                Taken in hand for repair to storm damage.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January                  Under repair and refit in Tyne shipyard.

to                            (Note: Radar Type 285 for main AA armament fitted.

February

 

March                    Post refit trials.

                5th          Resumed operational service in Western Approaches based in Clyde.

                25th        Joined military convoy WS7 during passage in NW Approaches with HM Destroyers VICEROY

                WINCHELSEA, ST CLARE, ECLIPSE and FOXHOUND as part of Local Escort during passage

                in NW Approaches.

                (Note: HM Cruiser EDINBURGH was also with Local Escort and HM Battleships NELSON and

                REVENGE provided Ocean Escort.)

 

April                       Under repair for replacement of boiler tubes in Clyde shipyard.

 

May                        Deployed in Western Approaches as part of Irish Sea Force.

                22nd       Joined military convoy WS8B with HM Destroyers COSSACK, ERIDGE, MAORI, OTTAWA,

                SIKH, RESTIGOUCHE (RCN), ZULU and Polish ORP PIORUN as Local Escort during

                passage in NW Approaches.

                (Note: HM Cruiser EXETER provided Ocean Escort and acted as Commodore’s ship.)

                25th        Detached northwards for increased protection after break out of  German battleship BISMARCK

                                and cruiser PRINZ EUGEN was known.

                26th        Released from escort of WS8B and took passage to Clyde.

 

June                        Resumed duty with Irish Sea Force.

                3rd          Joined military convoy WS9A in Clyde with HM Armed Merchant Cruiser AUSONIA,

                HM Destroyers COSSACK, MAORI, OTTAWA, RAMSEY, RESTIGOUCHE, RICHMOND,

                SIKH, VANQUISHER, WINCHELSEA and ZULU, Polish ORP GARLAND and ORP

                PIORUN as Local Escort during passage in NW Approaches.

                7th          Detached from WS9A with Local Escorted and took return passage.

                (Note: Ocean Escort was provided by HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM and HM Armed Merchant

                Cruiser DUNNOTAR CASTLE.)

                29th        Joined military convoy WS9B with HM Destroyers CASTLETON, MAORI, ST FRANCIS

                (RCN), VANQUISHER, WINCHELSEA. WOLVERINE, READING and ORP PIORUN as

                Local Escort during passage in NW Approaches.

 

July

                2nd         Detached from WS9B with destroyers, except HMS READING and took passage to Clyde.

                (Note: Ocean Escort for WS9B was provided by HM Cruiser EDINBURGH)

                Deployed with Irish Sea Force..

 

August

                2nd         Joined military convoy WS10 with HM Armed Merchant Cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE,

                HM Destroyers WHITEHALL, WINCHELSEA, WITCH, BROADWAY, GURKHA, LANCE,

                LEGION, Dutch ISAAC SWEERS and ORP PIORUN as Local Escort during passage in

                NW Approaches.

                5th          Detached from WS10 with HMS WHITEHALL, HMS WINCHELSEA, HMS WITCH and

                took return passage to Clyde.

                (Note: Ocean Escort was provided by HM Cruiser LONDON).

                31st         Joined military convoy WS11 with HM Destroyers COSSACK, HIGHLANDER, LEGION,

                LIVELY, ORP PIORUN, ORP GARLAND and Dutch ISAAC SWEERS as Local Escort for

                passage in NW Approaches.

 

September             On release from WS11 returned to Clyde with Local Escort.

                (Note: HM Battleship REPULSE provided Ocean Escort.)

                Resumed AA defence duties with Irish Sea Force.

 

October

                1st           Joined military convoy WS12 in Clyde with HM Destroyers VERITY, WHITEHALL, WITCH,

                ASSINIBOINE,  SAGUENAY, BADSWORTH, BRADFORD, BRIGHTON, LANCASTER,

                BLANKNEY, STANLEY, HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CATHAY and HM Auxiliary

                Minelayer AGAMEMNON as Local Escort during passage in NW Approaches.

                4th          Detached from WS12 with HMS WHITEHALL, HMS VERITY and HMS WITCH for return

                                passage to Clyde.

                                Resumed duties with Irish Sea Force based in Belfast.

 

November              Irish Sea Force deployment in continuation.

 

December

                18th        Passage to Devonport for refit.

                19th        Arrived at Devonport.

                (Note On departure from Western Approaches ship received a signal of congratulation from

                CinC to say her steaming performance and good work reflected great credit on all

                concerned

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Under refit.

 

February

                6th          Passage to Greenock on completion of post refit trials.

                7th          Arrived at Greenock.

                9th          Took passage to Murmansk with Trade Delegation for discussions

                                with Soviet officials.

                15th        Arrived at Kola Inlet.

                18th        Took passage from Kola Inlet for Scapa Flow.

                23rd        Passage from Scapa Flow to Greenock.

                25th        Arrived at Greenock,

 

March                    Under repair at Belfast.

                                (Note: Type 271 for surface warning fitted.)

 

April                       On completion resumed duties in Irish Sea Force.

                                Nominated for detached service.

                13th        Took passage from Belfast to join HM Cruiser CHARYBDIS

                                for special duty at Gibraltar.

                16th        Arrived at Gibraltar with HMS CHARYBDIS.

                18th        Sailed from Gibraltar with HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Cruiser CHARYBDIS,

                HM Destroyers WESTCOTT, WISHART, VIDETTE, WRESTLER, ANTELOPE,

                INGLEFIELD, US destroyers USS LANG and USS MADISON as escort for US

                Aircraft Carrier USS WASP during passage in western Mediterranean for launch of SPITFIRE

                aircraft to Malta.

                21st         Returned to Gibraltar with USS WASP and took passage to UK..

 

May                        Deployed with Irish Sea Force.

                (Note: No record of participation with Malta aircraft deliveries

                Operations BOWERY and LB has been traced.

                Records for escort of rms QUEEN MARY on 25th with HM

                Destroyers BEAGLE, DOUGLAS, KEPPEL and SARDONYX

                to be confirmed.)

 

June

                3rd          Took passage from Belfast for Gibraltar to provide AA defence

                during operation in western Mediterranean

                (Operation HARPOON – Convoy WS19Z sailed from Clyde to

                Gibraltar. Part of coincidental operation VIGOROUS. to

                pass convoy from Egypt Joint identity Operation JULIUS.

                For details of HARPOON see THE BATTLE FOR THE

                MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre and MALTA CONVOYS

                by R Woodman.)

                11th        Joined HM Destroyers BEDOUIN, MARNE, MATCHLESS,

                ITHURIEL, PARTRIDGE, BLANKNEY, MIDDLETON,

                BADSWORTH, Polish ORP KUJAWIAK, HM Minesweepers

                HEBE, HYTHE, RYE and SPEEDY as Force X to provide

                Close Escort for passage of HARPOON convoy through Sicilian

                Narrows to Malta. Sailed from Gibraltar to join convoy.

                (Note: HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carriers EAGLE,

                and ARGUS, HM Cruisers KENYA, LIVERPOOL and

                CHARYBDIS screened by Home Fleet and Gibraltar

                Escort Force destroyers were also deployed as Force W.)

                14th        Under submarine and air attacks during which HMS LIVERPOOL

                was damaged and returned to Gibraltar.

                15th        Remained with Force X when Force W ships detached.

                Under threat of attack by Italian cruiser force.

                Took part in action against Italian ships with Force X.

                Hit by two 6” shells with serious damage.

                Under air attacks.

                (For full details see above references and NAVAL WAR IN

                THE MEDITERRANEAN by J Greene and A Massignani.)

                16th        Arrived in Malta with the two surviving mercantiles of the

                HARPOON convoy.

                (Note: Four mercantiles were sunk on passage.)

                Sailed from Malta with ships of Force X for Gibraltar.

                (Note: ORP KUJAWIAK was mined and sunk on entry and

                both HMS BADSWORTH and HMS MATCHLESS

                were seriously damaged and remained in Malta.)

                19th        Arrived at Gibraltar with ships of Forces W and X.

                20th        Under repair at Gibraltar.

                26th        Resumed operational service.

July                         Gibraltar deployment in continuation.

                15th        Deployed with HMS EAGLE and HMS CHARYBDIS

                screened by HM Destroyers WESTCOTT, WRESTLER

                ANTELOPE, VANSITTART and ITHURIEL during

                Malta aircraft delivery.

                16th        Returned to Malta. See MALTA CONVOYS.

                20th        Deployed for further aircraft delivery with same ships.

                                (Operation INSECT).

                22nd       Returned to Gibraltar with same ships.

 

August                  Gibraltar deployment in continuation.

                11th        Sailed with HM Destroyers WESTCOTT, WRESTLER and

                VIDETTE as Force X to provide Close Escort for Malta

                relief convoy (Operation PEDESTAL – See above references

                and PEDESTAL by P Smith.)

                12th        Under air attacks.

                Deployed with HM Cruisers NIGERIA, KENYA and

                MANCHESTER, HM Destroyers INTREPID, ICARUS, FURY,

                PATHFINDER, LEDBURY, BICESTER, ASHANTI, PENN

                WILTON and DERWENT in Force X for escort through Sicilian

                Narrows when ships of Force H detached.

                Under air and submarine attacks.

                Hit aft by two torpedoes from Italian submarine AXUM of Bizerta.

                Ship totally disabled and abandoned. Survivors were rescued by

                HMS WILTON and hulk finally sunk by gunfire from HMS

                DERWENT after torpedoes from HMS PATHFINDER had

                failed to do this. (Casualty List - note on casualties)

                (Note: HMS NIGERIA was also hit by same salvo but survived

                Loss of CAIRO reduced the defence resources since

                                she was fitted for aircraft direction.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS CAIRO

by Don Kindell

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Date convoy sailed

Joined convoy as escort

Convoy No.

Left convoy

Date convoy arrived

 

 

 

 

 

12/11/39

14/11/39

ON 002/1

15/11/39

15/11/39

26/11/39

26/11/39

ON 003/1

30/11/39

30/11/39

08/02/40

09/02/40

FS 0091

09/02/40

10/02/40

09/02/40

11/02/40

ON 011/1

12/02/40

12/02/40

07/03/40

09/03/40

ON 018/1

10/03/40

10/03/40

19/03/40

20/03/40

ON 021/1

23/03/40

23/03/40

18/03/40

20/03/40

HN 020

22/03/40

22/03/40

22/03/40

22/03/40

HN 021

25/03/40

25/03/40

24/03/40

24/03/40

ON 022/1

27/03/40

27/03/40

27/03/40

29/03/40

ON 023/1

31/03/40

31/03/40

04/04/40

04/04/40

HN 024

07/04/40

07/04/40

11/04/40

13/04/40

NP 001

15/04/40

15/04/40

24/08/40

07/09/40

HX 068

08/09/40

08/09/40

09/09/40

09/09/40

OA 212

11/09/40

unknown

12/09/40

12/09/40

OA 213

12/09/40

unknown

24/10/40

24/10/40

OA 234

26/10/40

26/10/40

24/10/40

26/10/40

OB 234

28/10/40

30/10/40

09/05/41

10/05/41

HP

12/05/41

24/05/41

21/07/41

27/07/41

TC 012

29/07/41

29/07/41

24/09/41

24/09/41

BB 079

26/09/41

26/09/41

09/10/41

15/10/41

TC 014

17/10/41

17/10/41

20/10/41

20/10/41

BB 091

22/10/41

22/10/41

30/10/41

30/10/41

CT 005

02/11/41

08/11/41

25/10/41

02/11/41

CARGO

04/11/41

04/11/41

09/11/41

09/11/41

BB 098

11/11/41

11/11/41

17/11/41

17/11/41

BB 101

18/11/41

18/11/41

19/05/42

19/05/42

BB 176

20/05/42

20/05/42

12/06/42

12/06/42

HARPOON

16/06/42

16/06/42

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

 

back to Contents List
or Naval-History.Net

revised 3/6/11
further editing and formatting is required


 

if any ads offend, please contact Naval-History.Net