1 9 1 9
May Contractors Trials
June Commissioned for service in 1st Light Cruiser Squadron Atlantic Fleet
Nominated for service in Baltic to replace HM Cruiser CURACOA which had been damaged by a mine.
7th Build completion date and commenced Acceptance trials.
On completion completed storing and took passage to join RN ships deployed in Baltic to assist in the
defence of countries under attack from Soviet army.
July Baltic deployment in continuation.
to
December
1 9 2 0
On release from Baltic service joined Squadron in Atlantic Fleet.
Took part in Fleet exercises including those with ships of Mediterranean Fleet.
1 9 2 1
Atlantic Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.
1 9 2 2
Recommissioned for service in Atlantic Fleet
Took part in exercise and visits programme.
1 9 2 3
Atlantic Fleet deployment in continuation
October Prepared for World cruise.
Nominated for service in special Squadron for visits to British Empire territories and also
countries in South America.
November Deployed at Devon port and joined HM Cruisers DANAE, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS and
DUNEDIN as escort for HM Battlecruisers HOOD and REPULSE.
27th Sailed from Plymouth with ships of World Cruise Squadron.
December
21st Arrived at Cape Town after call at Freetown during Atlantic passage.
Took passage to Durban
30th Passage from Durban to Zanzibar.
1 9 2 4
January Arrived at Durban after calls at Port Elizabeth, East London and Mossel Bay
1st Arrived at Zanzibar,
17th Took passage from Zanzibar for Fremantle, Australia.
February Exercised on passage in Indian Ocean.
28th Arrived at Fremantle.
March Passage from Fremantle for visits to Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne.
April Passage from Melbourne to Hobart.
3rd At Hobart, Tasmania.
6th Sailed from Hobart.
9th Arrived at Sydney.
20th Took passage from Sydney with ships of Squadron for visits in New Zealand.
23rd Arrived at Wellington.
May
5th Deployed in New Zealand coastal waters for visits.
16th Took passage for visits to Empire territories in Pacific Ocean.
(Note: Visits were paid to Suva, Samara, Fiji Islands, Apia, West Samoa.)
Passage to Victoria, Canada with call at Pearl Harbour for visit to US Naval Base.
June Deployed at Victoria.
July
6th Visited Vancouver
On completion of visits to ports on west coast of North America detached from HMS HOOD
and HMS REPULSE with HM Cruisers DANAE, DRAGON, DAUNTLESS and DUNEDIN for
visits to ports in South America.
August South American visits programme in continuation.
to
October
November Return passage to UK
December Paid off and re-commissioned for service in 1st Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet
1 9 2 5
January Prepared for foreign service and took passage to Malta to join Squadron
to
February
March Deployed with Squadron in Mediterranean and took part in exercise and visits programme.
1 9 2 6
Mediterranean deployment with Squadron in continuation.
Took part in Fleet exercises and visits programmes.
1 9 2 7
January Squadron deployment in continuation.
Nominated for detached duty on China Station.
February Passage to Hong Kong.
March Deployed at Hong Kong.
21st Following capture by pirates of ss HOPSANG, a British flagged merchant ship owned by the China
Steam Navigation Company, despatched with HM Aircraft Carrier HERMES, HM Cruiser
FROBISHER and HM Sloop FOXGLOVE to Bias Bay to recover the vessel.
22nd Provided Landing Party at Bias Bay search for pirates.
(Note: Pirates had left ss HOPSANG at Bias Bay. Landing Parties destroyed junks and sampans
used for piracy.)
Returned to Hong Kong.
April Detached service on China Station in continuation.
to
December
1 9 2 8
January Returned to Mediterranean and rejoined 1st Cruiser Squadron.
to Nominated for refit in UK
June
July Paid off and taken in hand for refit.
to
December
1 9 2 9
January Under refit
to Nominated for service in 8th Cruiser Squadron, America and West Indies Station.
June
July Deployed in West Indies
to
December
1 9 3 0
Deployed in West Indies and visited ports in South America and USA.
1 9 3 1
West Indies Station deployment in continuation.
1 9 3 2
8th Cruiser Squadron deployment in continuation.
Joined HMS HOOD, HMS REPULSE, HM Cruisers NORFOLK and DORSETSHIRE
for visits to Madeira and West Indies.
Deployed as Flagship of 8th Cruiser Squadron before return to UK
1 9 3 3
Returned to UK and recommissioned for further service in West Indies
Transferred to 3rd Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet.
1 9 3 4
Deployed in Mediterranean as Flagship 3td Cruiser Squadron.
Took part in Fleet exercises and visits.
1 9 3 5
Mediterranean deployment with Squadron in continuation.
1 9 3 6
Re-commissioned for further Mediterranean Fleet service in 3rd Cruiser Squadron.
1 9 3 7
Mediterranean Fleet deployment with Squadron in continuation.
Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.
1 9 3 8
January Prepared for return to UK
February Passage to Devonport to Pay-Off.
March Paid-Off and destored.
April Reducing to Reserve status.
to
June
July Laid up in Reserve Fleet at Devonport
to
December
1 9 3 9
January Laid up at Devonport
to Nominated for transfer to Reserve Fleet at Chatham.
June Towed to Chatham.
July Laid up at Chatham
War Station allocated for service in 12th Cruiser Squadron for trade defence and interception
of blockade runners.
August (Note: It is assumed that when Fleet was mobilised this ship was manned with Reservists.
In most cases the ships brought forward and manned by RNR and RNVR personnel
attended the Royal Review held in Weymouth Bay at the end of this month.
However no record of attendance at the Review has been found.
After re-commissioning took passage to Scapa Flow to join Squadron.
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
September
3rd At Scapa Flow
5th Passage to Portland.
6th At Portland.
10th Deployed for interception patrol.
13th At Scapa Flow.
14th Interception patrol in continuation.
18th Returned to Scapa Flow.
20th Deployed for patrol.
22nd At Scapa Flow.
25th Deployed for patrol.
October
1st At Scapa Flow.
6th Deployed for patrol.
13th Transferred to 11th Cruiser Squadron in continuation of interception duties.
14th Sailed from Scapa Flow for patrol
(Note: HM Battleship ROYAL OAK was sunk at Scapa Flow by U47.
Fleet units were transferred to Loch Ewe and ships deployed for interception duties
returned to Sullom Voe.
20th Returned to Sullom Voe.
22nd Sailed for patrol between Faeroes and Iceland.
25th Intercepted German freighter REINGOLD SE of Iceland which was captured and taken to Kirkwall.
(Note: This ship was later taken into service by the Ministry of War Transport and renamed
EMPIRE MARINER.)
28th Returned to Sullom Voe.
31st Deployed for patrol.
November
6th At Sullom Voe.
8th Sailed for patrol.
12th Intercepted German freighter MECKLENBURG SW of Faeroes which scuttled on approach and
was abandoned by crew. Boarding impracticable due to weather conditions and mercantile was
sunk by gunfire.
15th Returned to Scapa Flow.
23rd Deployed with HM Cruisers NEWCASTLE, CALEDON, CARDIFF and HM Armed Merchant
Cruiser RAWALPINDI for patrol in Faeroes-Iceland Gap in search for the German SCHARNHORST
and GNEISENAU known to be on passage to Atlantic for attacks on convoys.
Detached with HMS NEWCASTLE to intercept German ships after loss of HMS RAWALPINDI.
24th Sighted German ships and ordered to shadow but lost contact in poor weather.
(Note: Neither British ship had surface warning radar.)
Returned to Scapa Flow.
25th Sailed for patrol.
December
2nd Returned to Sullom Voe.
8th Resumed Patrol duties.
16th Returned to Scapa Flow.
17th Sailed for patrol.
20th On relief took passage to Belfast for refit and docking.
21st Taken in hand at commercial shipyard.
1 9 4 0
January
10th On completion took passage to Scapa Flow for patrol and interception duties.
12th Deployed for patrol
17th Returned to Scapa Flow.
(Note: Following representation by the Senior Officer, Northern Patrol this Class of ship was
withdrawn from service in the North Atlantic.)
Nominated for duty in Mediterranean as Flagship of Destroyer Command at Malta.
18th Carried out last patrol in NW Approaches.
19th Returned to Scapa Flow.
20th Took passage to Portsmouth to prepare for foreign service.
31st Sailed from Portsmouth to Gibraltar.
February
1st Part of escort for convoy during passage.
(Note: One source suggests ship was deployed in Atlantic before joining Fleet in Malta.)
March Joined Destroyer Command and deployed in Mediterranean
April Mediterranean Fleet deployment in continuation as Flagship for Rear Admiral (Destroyers).
(Note: During this period the Mediterranean Fleet was preparing for war with Italy)
May Under refit in Malta.
June On completion transferred to 9th Cruiser Squadron for convoy defence duty in Atlantic based
at Gibraltar.
July Deployed at Gibraltar and attached to newly formed Force H.
(Note: Not directly involved in the action against French warships at Oran by Force H.
(Operation CATAPULT.)
8th Joined HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Battleships VALIANT and RESOLUTION, HM Cruisers
ARETHUSA and ENTERPRISE to provide cover for air attacks on Cagliari airfield in Sardinia
by HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL (Operation MA5)
(Note: HM Destroyer ESCORT was torpedoed by Italian submarine MARCONI and sustained
major damage. Although taken in tow the ship foundered three days later.)
9th Under high level bombing attack by Italian aircraft
Operation cancelled after these attacks since element of surprise had been lost.
(For details of operations in Mediterranean in 1940-41 see Naval Staff History and ENGAGE
THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)
31st Deployed with HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS ARETHUSA and HMS ENTERPRISE to
provide cover by Force H for HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS during Malta aircraft delivery and
air attacks on the airfield at Cagliari (Operation HURRY)
(Note: This information was only found in one source and further confirmation is needed.)
August Deployed interception of Vichy French ships during for operations in West Africa.
6th At Pointe Noire, but Vichy ships had sailed.
19th Deployed with HM Cruiser CORNWALL and intercepted Vichy French cruiser PRIMAGUET
and tanker TARN in Gulf of Guinea on passage to Libreville
After negotiation French ships accepted escort to Casablanca instead of being engaged in action
by British warships.
24th Arrived at Casablanca and French ships detached for entry.
Took passage to join HM Battleships BARHAM and RESOLUTION, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM
Cruisers DEVONSHIRE, AUSTRALIA and DRAGON in Force M for support of landings by Free
French troops at Dakar (Operation MENACE).
(For details of operations in West Africa see MENACE by Arthur Marder and RELUCTANT
ENEMIES by N Tute.)
25th Took part in bombardment of ships at Dakar and damaged by return fire (Operation NASTY).
Returned to Freetown with ships of Force M when operation MENACE abandoned.
October Resumed trade defence role in South Atlantic.
Called at Cameroons.
November Deployed for support of Free French attack on Libreville.
7th Carried out blockade duty with HMS DEVONSHIRE. to prevent interference by Vichy French.
29th Embarked survivors from Vichy French submarine PONCELOT from HM Sloop MILFORD.
(Note: PONCELOT had been sunk by HMS MILFORD on 8th November.)
December Resumed trade defence deployment in South Atlantic.
1 9 4 1
January Atlantic deployment in continuation.
Nominated for refit in USA.
February Passage to New York.
March Under refit at US Navy Yard, Brooklyn for conversion to an Anti-Aircraft Cruiser
to (Note: The two forward and two after 6in mountings were replaced by US Navy 5in mountings which
November had an anti-aircraft capability controlled by MK 37 USN Directors. No 3 midships 6in mounting
was retained. Additional weapons were fitted for close range defence against aircraft.
The 6in mountings were later fitted in HM Armed Merchant Cruiser ASTURIAS.
This ship was the only RN ship to be fitted with US destroyer gun mountings.
Bridge structure was also modified and tripod masts were fitted
In addition preparations were made to install British radar equipment including
changes to the new main armament fire control directors and provision of new
compartments for the radar outfits with the new electric cabling.
December Post refit sea trials.
1 9 4 2
January
12th Refit work and trials completed..
21st Arrived at Norfolk Virginia prior to return passage to UK
February
4th Took passage to Plymouth.
15th Installation work for new radar outfits in hand by HM Dockyard Devonport.
(Note: Two Type 285 Fire control radar outfits fitted for forward and after main armament
Type 282 Fire control radar was fitted for close range weapons mounted on either beam.
Surface warning radar Type 271 sited forward of mainmast.
Aircraft warning radar Type 281 using both masts.
For details of development and use of radar by RN see RADAR AT SEA by D Howse
and companion volumes on equipment prepared by The Radar Trust.)
March Radar equipment installation and trials in continuation.
April Deployed at Plymouth for radar trials and shakedown..
May Retained in Plymouth Command for convoy defence in Channel and SW Approaches
June Deployed with Irish Sea Force.
17th Provided AA defence for rms QUEEN ELIZABETH during passage in NW Approaches to the
Middle East, escorted by HM Destroyers BOADICEA, LEAMINGTON, KEPPEL, SALISBURY
and ST MARYS. Designated as Convoy WS19Y.
18th Detached from rms QUEEN ELIZABETH and returned to Clyde with escorting destroyers.
19th Deployed in Clyde to work-up for operational service in Mediterranean.
July On completion resumed deployment with Irish Sea Force for AA defence of convoys in Western
Approaches.
August Irish Sea Force deployment in continuation
to
September
October Nominated for support of planned allied landings in North Africa (Operation TORCH).
27th Took passage from Clyde with HM Battleship RODNEY, HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS, HM
Escort Aircraft Carriers BITER and DASHER and HM Cruisers JAMAICA and HERMIONE,
HM Auxiliary AA Ship ALYNBANK as Force X to join Central Naval Force at Gibraltar for
support of Operation TORCH.
November
5th Joined Central Naval Force at Gibraltar.
6th Sailed from Gibraltar with HMS RODNEY, HMS FURIOUS, HM Escort Carriers BITER and
DASHER as escort for Convoy KMF(O)1 for assault at Oran.
7th Joined Advance Carrier Force to provide AA defence during Air operations..
8th Deployed with HMS RODNEY, HMS FURIOUS, HMS HERMIONE, HM Escort Carriers BITER
and DASHER for AA defence during landings.
(For details see RELUCTANT ENEMIES, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY and The
Naval Staff History.)
9th Central Naval Force duties in continuation.
On release too passage to Algiers for AA defence.
20th Under air attack whilst under way off Algiers and hit by bomb on Quarterdeck which destroyed
stern structure. Fighting efficiency seriously impaired but ship remained on patrol with
reduced speed capability and limited steering.
December Passage to Gibraltar for temporary repair by HM Dockyard to allow passage to UK.
1 9 4 3
January On completion of dockyard work took passage to Newcastle for repair by Palmers at Hebburn.
Taken in hand on arrival.
February Under repair
to Nominated to resume service with 12th Cruiser Squadron in Mediterranean on completion.
March
April On completion took passage to Plymouth to prepare for operational duty.
May Retained in Plymouth Command for convoy defence and support of interception patrols off
French coast.
14th During deployment with HM Destroyer TUSCAN and Polish destroyer ORP ORKAN assisted
in operation to save HMS TUSCAN after she struck a mine in Bristol Channel.
15th Escorted ORP ORKAN which had taken damaged destroyer in tow.
Released from Plymouth Command and took passage to join Squadron at Gibraltar.
June Deployed with Squadron at Gibraltar
Nominated for service in Support Force East during planned assault on Sicily.
(Operation HUSKY).
July Joined HM Cruisers NEWFOUNDLAND, MAURITIUS, ORION, CARLISLE and COLOMBO
in Support Force East.
10th Deployed with Support Force to cover British landings at Syracuse.
(For details see the Naval Staff History and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY)
11th Support deployment off Sicily in continuation.
(Replenishment was available in Malta and at Algiers.).
September Nominated for service in Northern Attack Force (TF85) during planned landings at Salerno.
3rd Involved in collision with HM Cruiser UGANDA during operation in Straits of Messina..
(Note: Ship was obscured by smoke screen.
Temporary repairs were made later with US Navy assistance.
Deployed with HM Cruisers MAURITIUS, UGANDA, ORION and HM Monitor ROBERTS
to provide naval gunfire support during landings.
4th Northern Attack Force deployment off beachhead for fire support and air defence in continuation.
to Under air attacks and return fire from shore.
16th
17th Provided AA defence during passage to Malta of HM Battleship WARSPITE for repair.
(Note: This battleship had been hit by Glider Bomb off the beachhead and was under tow.)
Destroyed FW 90 aircraft during attack whilst on passage.
19th Arrived in Malta with HMS WARSPITE.
Resumed duty with Northern Attack Force.
October
12th Under repair in Malta.
November Released from Attack Force.
2nd Took passage to Gibraltar.
Deployed for convoy defence in western Mediterranean and Atlantic.
December Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
1 9 4 4
January Nominated to provide additional AA defence at Anzio during landings of British 1st
Division (Operation SHINGLE).
Passage to Naples for briefing
25th Joined HM Cruisers DIDO, PHOEBE, MAURITIUS and PENELOPE, HM Auxiliary AA
Ship ULSTER QUEEN at Anzio for defence of assembled shipping and to provide naval
gunfire support.
(Note: Ships had been under attack by aircraft including glider bombs as well as minelaying.
HM Destroyer JANUS had been sunk and HM Destroyer JERVIS badly damaged.
Submarines had also been carrying out attacks.
Took part in bombardment of shore targets at Formia.
February Deployed with HM Cruisers DIDO, PHOEBE, PENELOPE, MAURITIUS, US Cruisers USS
to BROOKLYN and USS PHILADELPHIA in support of operations at Nazi and for AA
March defence.
(Note: Ships were based at Naples and deployed in pairs for these duties.)
On release from SHINGLE support took passage to Gibraltar to resume convoy defence duty.
April Deployed at Gibraltar
10th Joined US Task Group 65 ships escorting military convoy UGS37 on passage in western
Mediterranean to reinforce AA defence with HM Frigate NADDER, US destroyer USS
LANSDALE and HM Corvette JONQUIL.
11th Under attack by torpedo aircraft off Cape Bergut, Cyrenaica
US destroyer USS HOLDER of original escort hit by torpedo and sustained major damage.
12th Under attack by U407 during which one mercantile was sunk and another damaged.
May Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
3rd Joined US Task Force 66 ships escorting military convoy GUS38 during passage in western
Mediterranean to Atlantic.
Under attack by U371 which is driven off by escort after hit by T5 torpedo on a US destroyer
USS MENGES.
(Note: U371 was sunk on 4th May in Gulf of Bougie. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by
P Kemp)
5th Under attack by U567 and US Destroyer FECHTELER sunk by
U567 which escapes despite
counter attacks.
June Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
July Nominated for duty with Task Group 88.1 of Carrier Task Force 88 to provide support during
planned landings in South of France (Operation ANVIL/DRAGOON)
August Passage to join Task Force under over command of US Navy..
15th Deployed with HM Cruiser ROYALIST, HM Escort Aircraft Carriers KHEDIVE. EMPEROR
SEARCHER, PURSUER and ATTACKER, screened by HM Destroyers TROUBRIDGE,
TYRIAN, TUSCAN, TEAZER, TUMULT, WHEATLAND and Greek NAVARINON to
provide AA defence during air operations.
(For details of DRAGOON see LANDINGS IN SOUTH FRANCE and above references.
19th Detached with ships of Task Group to refuel at Maddalena
21st Resumed AA defence duties with Task Group south of Marseilles..
24th Returned to Maddalena.
27th Detached from Task Group when it was released from DRAGOON and returned to RN control.
September Deployed in western Mediterranean.
13th Present at formal re-entry of Free French Navy top naval base at Toulon.
Nominated for service to support military operations in Adriatic Sea.
October Passage to Adriatic.
Provided AA defence for convoys and units off Yugoslav coast.
November Adriatic deployment in continuation at Split.
10th Formal surrender of German forces at Split carried out on board.
December Deployed at Split for AA defence and support of harbour defences.
1 9 4 5
January Deployment at anchor in harbour at Split for defence against attack by aircraft or small
surface craft.
February
12th Attacked by explosive motor boat at anchor in Split.
Despite the defensive boom several enemy craft entered the harbour.
Engaged enemy craft with 20mm fire.
Landing craft Flak ( LCF8) lying alongside the ship hit by explosive motor boat.
The resulting explosion caused damage aft including propeller A-Bracket and Rudder equipment.
(Note: Damage was not sufficient to seriously affect fighting efficiency. See report at PRO in in
ADM199/890.)
March
12th Passage to Malta
April Passage to Sheerness.
May Underwent survey by HM Dockyard Chatham and permanent repair assessed as uneconomic.
Ship to be Paid off and reduced to Reserve status.
June Destored and reduced to Reserve at Chatham.
to
July