Modified W-Class Destroyer ordered in April 1918 with 38 others of which only 7 were completed. This ship was built by Swan Hunter at Wallsend on Tyne and laid down as. Job No 1105 in July 1918. She was launched en 17th May 1918 by Mrs R N F West, wife of the Commodore Superintendent Contract Built Ships as the 2nd RN ship to carry the name. It had been introduced in 1876 for a Sloop. The ship was manned by ratings from the Chatham Port Division. After completion on 14th November 1919 she joined the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. During 1920 the ship served in the Baltic and later in the Mediterranean and Far East. On relief in the 3rd Flotilla by HM Destroyer ACASTA in 1930 she was placed in Reserve but re-commissioned in 1931 and joined the 8th Destroyer Flotilla on the China Station. This Flotilla transferred to the: Mediterranean during the Abyssinian crisis end during 1939 HMS WILD SWAN returned to UK for duty in the Nore Local Flotilla until beginning a long refit at Chatham to up-date her equipment. This refit did not complete until December 1939.

 

S p e c i a l    N o t e

An excellent account of the career of this ship is given in WILD SWAN by Peter C Smith  to  whom due acknowledgement and thanks are given.

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

DUNKIRK   1940 - ATLANTIC   1940-42

 

H e r a l d i c     D a t a

Badge: On a Field Blue, a Swan Silver with collar and broken

  cord Gold attached to left leg. Beak tongue and legs Red.

 

 

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             Under refit.

to                            Anti-submarine detection equipment (ASDIC) fitted.

October

 

November              Post refit trials.

 

December              On completion nominated for service in 18th Destroyer Flotilla.

 

1 9 4 0

 

January                  Diverted to carry cut trials at Portsmouth on. Degaussing equipment.

                                Attached to Torpedo School, HMS VERNON.

                                (Note: This equipment was a counter-measure to protect ships against magnetic mines.

                                See THE TORPEDOMEN by A Poland).

                20th        Prepared for operational service in Flotilla and work-up.

 

February

                16th        Commenced work-up at. Portland.

                25th        Joined Flotilla at Plymouth for service in Western Approaches.

 

March                    Deployed for convoy escort in SW Approaches for OA and OG Series convoys.

                                (Note: OA and OG Series Atlantic convoys were routed through English Channel to

                                12.50 W from Thames Estuary.

                                For details of naval activities in Home waters between September 1939 and

                                December 1940 see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C. Barrett,

                                HOLD THE NARROW SEA by Peter C Smith and The Naval Staff History).

                1st           Midshipman lost overboard whilst escorting Armed Merchant Cruiser.

                3rd          During passage in SW Approaches to meet inward Convoy HG20 carried out

                                unsuccessful anti-submarine operations with HM Destroyer VERSATILE and

                                HM Sloop LEITH.

                                Joined HM Sloops ABERDEEN and DEPTFORD escorting inward Convoy HG20

                                from Gibraltar with HM Destroyer VENETIA during passage to Liverpool. in

                                place of HMS ABERDEEN.

                4th          Detached from HG20 and resumed search for submarine with HM Destroyers

                                VETERAN, VOLUNTEER and WHIRLWIND.

                                (Note: Search was unsuccessful.)

                7th          Carried out further search for submarine with HM Destroyers. ESKIMO and

                                VANESSA.

                9th          Escorted OG convoy with HM Destroyer BROKE.

                                Joined by HM Destroyer WINCHELSEA with Milford Haven ships.

                11th        Rescued crew of Dutch tanker EULOTA which had been torpedoed by U28.

                                Hulk was sunk by HM Destroyer BROKE.

                18th        Joined outward Convoy OG22 on formation in SW approaches with HM Destroyer BROKE

                                for escort during initial stage of passage to Gibraltar.

                20th        Detached from OG22 after arrival of French warships and took passage to Portland for

                                trials of Degaussing equipment.

                23rd        On completion of DG trials resumed convoy defence duties.

 

April                       Escorted Convoy OA12H.

                15th        Escorted damaged mercantile QUEEN MAUD.

 

May                        Transferred to 19th Destroyer Flotilla based at Dover with HM Destroyers WINDSOR and

                                VERITY. (See above references).

                                Pennant Number for visual signalling changed to I62 to conform with changes to all RN

                                ships

                1st           Deployed on North Goodwin Patrol

                10th        Took part in Operation XD to carry cut demolition at Hook of Holland.

                                Embarked Military Mission stores for use in Holland.

                                (Note: Mission did not join before ship sailed and took passage later in HM Destroyer

                                WIVERN to liaise with Dutch army).

                11th        Bombarded German troops in Staaiduinsche Bosch

                12th        Escorted HM Destroyer VENOMOUS into Hook.

                                Carried out off shore patrol with HAVOCK to protect shipping from air attacks.

                                Under air attacks and sustained damage to condensers.

                                Rescued survivors from mercantile PRINSES JULIANA.

                14th        Escorted troop ship to Cherbourg for evacuation

                                Deployed on patrol off Dieppe and escorted as MANXMAN bringing the 5th King's Own

                                Scottish Borderers back to UK from Cherbourg.

                17th        Rejoined Flotilla at Dover.

                18th        Carried out North Goodwin Patrol with HM Destroyer KEITH.

                19th        Under air attack by Do17 aircraft which failed.

                20th        Searched for German U9 in Straits of Dover.

                21st         Deployed at Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne for evacuation of civilians.

                                Landed 465 persons at Folkestone on return.

                                (Operation DYNAMO – For details see Naval Staff History, BEF SHIPS by J de Winser.)

                                Passage to Dunkirk and under air attack on arrival.

                                Embarked BEF Staff Officers and returned to Dover as escort for ss CANTERBURY.

                22nd       Provided AA defence at Boulogne with HM Destroyers VIMY and KEITH.

                23rd        Diverted to embark Party G for demolition work at Dunkirk (Operation XD).

                                (Note: On arrival it was discovered that no primers were available).

                                Under air attacks.

                                Embarked 155 passengers at Dunkirk for return.

                                Diverted to assist in operations at Boulogne.

                24th        Assisted with evacuation at Boulogne with H M Destroyers VENETIA, VENOMOUS and

                                VIMIERA.

                                Embarked 403 passengers under shore fire.

                25th        Under repair at Dover.

                26th        Nominated for service during evacuation at Dunkirk

                27th        Deployed for evacuation duties at Dunkirk after repair at Dover..

                                (Operation DYNAMO – See NINE DAYS AT DUNKIRK by AD Divine, BEF SHIPS by

                                J de Winser. and Naval Staff History (HMSO- 2002.))

                                On arrival escorted ss MAID OF ORLEANS and under air attacks.

                                Landed 21 troops at Dover.

                28th        Escorted ss CANTERBURY into Dunkirk.

                                Embarked 21Army staff officers for passage to Dover.

                                Took passage to Portsmouth for refit.

 

June                        Under refit.

                                (Note: After torpedo tubes replaced by 12pdr AA gun.)

                15th        Nominated for service during evacuation of Channel Islands and ports in Bay of Biscay

                                on completion of refit. (Operation AERIAL)

                16th        Embarked demolition party for passage to St Malo (Operation XD)

                                Called at Jersey to requisition coasters for evacuation from St Malo.

                                (Note: These ships were not eventually required for use at St Malo.

                17th        Arrived at St Malo via Jersey to evacuate civilians from the Channel Islands.)

                                On release from AERIAL resumed routine convoy defence duties at Portsmouth.

 

July                         Channel convoy defence

                13th        Deployed with Flotilla at Harwich.

                18th        Deployed for North Sea convoy defence duty and anti-invasion patrol at Harwich.

                20th        Investigated enemy action against trawlers off Great Yarmouth but no result.

                30th        Deployed for patrol with HM Destroyers AMBUSCADE and WHITSHED.

                31st         Towed damaged destroyer HMS WHITSHED to Harwich after being mined.

 

August

                1st           Deployed on Patrol T with HM Destroyers MALCOLM and AMBUSCADE.

                                On completion reinforced escort of East Coast Convoys MT26 and FS38.

                3rd          Deployed on Patrol with H M Cruiser CARDIFF, H M Destroyers VENOMOUS, VERITY

                                WIVERN, PUFFIN, HM Corvettes SHEARWATER and SHELDRAKE.

                15th        Carried out Patrol T with HM Destroyers VETERAN and BERKELEY.

 

September

                7th          Joined HM Cruisers AURORA and CARDIFF with HMS WIVERN in Humber as screen

                                during patrol off Holland (Operation RIVAL).

                10th        Attacked invasion Barges off Ostend with HM Destroyers VETERAN and MALCOLM.

                13th        Carried cut patrol off Dunkirk with HM Destroyers MALCOLM and VENOMOUS.

                23rd        Carried out Patrol off Dogger Bank with HM Destroyers VETERAN and VENOMOUS as cover

                                for minelay by ships of 20th Destroyer Flotilla (Operation PR).

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

                                Nominated for transfer to Western Approaches Command with HM Destroyers MALCOLM,

                                VETERAN and WIVERN.

                25th        Joined Force C with HMS VETERAN and HMS VENOMOUS.

                                (Operation LUCID – Placing fire ships in French harbours).

                30th        Deployed with HM Destroyers EGLINTON and VENOMOUS to intercept German minelaying

                                destroyers off South Foreland

                                (Note: This was German Operation WERNER).

                                Interception failed. German ships completed lay and returned.

 

October

                2nd         Deployed for repeat of Operation LUCID which failed.

                                (Note: Future attempts to carry out Operation LUCID were abandoned.

                                This was due to a combination of technical problems and the likely weather conditions).

                                Escorted Convoy FS6 to Harwich.

                30th        Joined 7th Escort Group at Liverpool.

                                (For details of convoy defence in Atlantic see U-Boat War IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO),

                                THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre and SEEK and STRIKE by W

                                Hackmann).

                                Escorted Convoy OG45 for part of passage to Gibraltar with H M Destroyer WANDERER

                                and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser SALOPIAN.

                                Sailed to escort Convoy HX83 through NW Approaches with HM Destroyer BEAGLE.

 

November

                5th          Relieved SAGUENAY and SKEENA,

                                (Note: Escort comprised H M Destroyers ACTIVE, ACHATES, BEAGLE, HESPERUS,

                                HURRICANE and HM Canadian Corvette PICTOEE).

                11th        Escorted OB242 with ships of Group.

                15th        Transferred to Convoy HG46 with HM Destroyers WANDERER, WARWICK and CLARE.

                26th        Sailed to Join Convoy HX87 with HM Destroyers WANDERER and WARWICK, HM

                                Corvettes CAMPANULA, CLEMATIS, FLEUR-DE-LYS (French) and PERIWINKLE.

                28th        Rescued survivors from HM Armed Merchant Cruiser FORFAR which had been torpedoed

                                whilst escorting Convoy HX90.

 

December

                9th          Sailed to meet HM Seaplane Carrier PEGASUS and HM Destroyer HIGHLANDER with HM

                                Corvettes CAMPANULA, PERIWINKLE, PRIMULA, GARDENIA and HM Sloop LEITH.

                                (Operation SPECIMEN - Trials of use of Catapult launched aircraft in Atlantic).

                13th        Detached as escort for HMS PEGASUS during SPECIMEN trials.

                20th        Assisted fire-fighting during air raid in Liverpool.

                23rd        Sailed to Join Convoy OB263 with HM Destroyer WARWICK.

                                Towed HMS WARWICK into Liverpool after acoustic mine damage

                24th        Joined escort for Convoy OB263 (HM Sloop ROCHESTER, HM Corvettes FLEUR-DE-LYS,

                                GARDENIA and PERIWINKLE)

                25th        Detached to Join Convoy HX96 with HMS VENOMOUS and HMS FLEUR-DE-LYS for

                                passage to Lismore because of Liverpool air raids.

 

1 9 4 1

 

January

                5th          Escorted Convoy OB270 with HM Corvettes GARDENIA, PERIWINKLE and

                                FLEUR-DE LYS.

                7th          Detached to join Convoy SL60 with HM Sloop LABURNUM, HM Corvettes

                                FLEUR-DE-LYS, GARDENIA, CAMPANULA and PERIWINKLE.

                9th          Detached from SL60 to search for survivors from ss CLYTONEUS with ESPERANCE BAY.

                10th        Rescued survivors from ss CLYTONEUS and ss BASSANO.

                18th        Escorted Convoy OB275 with HM Sloop ABERDEEN, French corvette FLEUR-DE-LYS, HM

                                Corvette PERIWINKLE, HM Destroyers WITCH and MONTGOMERY.

                                Detached and after refuelling at Liverpool net 4 snips of Convoy HX102 for escort to Loch Ewe.

                                Two ratings lost overboard in bad weather.

                29th        Assisted in salvage of ss WESTMORLAND.

                                (Note: £600 Salvage Money was paid later.)

 

 February

                1st           Escorted Convoy OBC251 from Clyde.

                3rd          Escorted Convoy HX105 with HM Corvettes CAMPANULA, PERIWINKLE, PIMPERNEL,

                                ANEMONE, HM Minesweeper FITZROY, HM Destroyers WITCH and MONTGOMERY.

                4th          Diverted to join Convoy OB281 .

                                (Note: Complaints about length of service without refit of no avail).

 

March                    Atlantic convoy escort In continuation with Group.

                                Refit arranged in London.

                20th        Taken in hand by Green and Silley Weir.

                                Note: RAF Radar modified for RN use fitted (Type 286M).

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

 

April                       Under refit.

                19th        Damaged in London air raid.

                26th        Refit completed.

                                Nominated for service with 1st Destroyer Flotilla, Portsmouth.

 

May                        Joined HM Destroyers VANSITTART and WIVERN.

                12th        Escorted H M Cruiser BERWICK to Rosyth via Irish Sea with HM Destroyers WIVERN,

                                BERKELEY and BLENCATHRA.

                14th        Escorted French submarine SURCOUF to 49.45N 4.27W with HMS WIVERN.

                17th        Nominated as escort for military convoy WS8X and transfer to Freetown.

                18th        Under repair at Portsmouth

                24th        On completion diverted for duty in Atlantic after loss of HM Battlecruiser HOOD.

                                Sailed for Plymouth with HMS WIVERN and HMS VANSITTART.

                28th        Took part in rescue of crew of HM Armed Boarding Vessel REGISTAN on fire in the

                                English Channel.

                                Towed ship to safety.

                31st         Escorted military Convoy WS8X with HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers

                                NORFOLK and NEPTUNE, H M Armed Merchant Cruiser ESPERANCE BAY and H M

                                Destroyers WIVERN and VANSITTART from Clyde

 

June

                1st           HM Destroyers LEGION, BRIGHTON, SHERWOOD, ST MARY'S and Polish Destroyer

                                ORP PIORUN joined WS8X.

                                (Note: This vital convoy to Middle East had been under threat from German battleship

                                BISMARCK had been provided with a very strong escort. .BISMARCK was however

                                been sunk on 27th May but other raiders were active).

                6th          Sailed from Gibraltar as escort for HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and ss NAS HELLAS.

                8th          Met HMS VICTORIOUS and joined escort to Gibraltar with ships of Force H.

                                (Operation ROCKET - Delivery of aircraft to Malta).

                10th        Under repair at Gibraltar.

                18th        Nominated for convoy defence based at Freetown and took passage with HMS WIVERN

                                and HMS VANSITTART.

                27th        Escorted ss CAMERONIA during part of passage to UK.

 

July

                2nd         Returned to Freetown after refuelling at Bathurst

                7th          Joined HM Cruiser GALATEA and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser MORETON BAY, HM

                                Destroyers BRILLIANT, WIVERN and ASPHODEL as escort for military Convoy WS9B.

                24th        Escorted ss EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA till relief by HM Armed Merchant Cruiser CANTON

                30th        On return to Freetown transferred to Gibraltar for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

August

                3rd          Passage to Gibraltar with HM Destroyers WIVERN and BOREAS.

                11th        Carried out anti-submarine sweep off Gibraltar with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, BOREAS,

                                FORESTER and FURY.

                12th        Escorted outward Convoy HG7 with HMS BOREAS.

                14th        Under U-Boat and air attacks.

                                (See THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC).

                18th        On arrival at Gibraltar from HG70 sailed as escort for inward Convoy HG71 with HM Sloop

                                DEPTFORD, HM Corvettes AURICULA, CONVOLVULUS, MARIGOLD and SAMPHIRE.

                25th        After return from HG71 carried out anti-submarine sweep in Straits of Gibraltar

                to            with HM Corvettes SPIRAEA, CAMPANULA, CAMPION, HYACINTH, WALLFLOWER,

                29th        HM Destroyers VIMY, VIDETTE and two Motor Launches from Gibraltar.

 

September

                2nd         Joined escort for Convoy HG72 with HM Sloop LEITH, HM Corvettes CAMPION,

                                CAMPANULA, BLUEBELL, HYACINTH, WALLFLOWER, HM Destroyers BOREAS and

                                FARNDALE and Catapult Armed Merchant Ship HMS MAPLIN.

                7th          Refuelled in Azores and joined HM Destroyers DUNCAN and FARNDALE, HM Sloop

                                FOWEY, HM Corvettes BEGONIA, HIBISCUS, LARKSPUR, MYOSOTIS, PERIWINKLE

                                and STONECROP as escort for Convoy OG73 to Gibraltar.

                20th        After arrival of 0373 escorted Convoy HG73 with HMS VIMY during passage to UK.

                26th        Carried cut Degaussing trials at Gibraltar.

                27th        Passage to Bathurst with HMS VIMY.

 

October                  Refuelled at Bathurst.

                6th          Joined HM Cruiser DUNEDIN and HM Sloop BRIDGEWATER with HMS VIMY as escort

                                for H M Aircraft Carrier EAGLE after trade defence duties in South Atlantic

                30th        Escorted troop Convoy to Gibraltar with HM Sloops FOWEY, LEITH, HM Corvette

                                STONECROP and Dutch destroyer ISAAC SWEERS.

 

November              Routine docking at Gibraltar.

                13th        Assisted in operations after HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL had been torpedoed.

                                (Note: HMS ARK ROYAL later sank during salvage attempt on 14th November).

                16th        Deployed with Dummy Convoy in Western Mediterranean as a diversion during Eighth Army

                                offensive. in Egypt with HM Sloop DEPTFORD and HM Corvettes CONVOLVULUS,

                                RHODODENDRON and MARIGOLD (Operation CHIEFTAIN).

                17th        Carried out anti-submarine search with HMS SAMPHIRE AND HMS VIDETTE.

                21st         Escorted troopship ss RANGITATA to Freetown with HMS WISHART.

 

December              Deployed at Freetown for convoy escort and anti-submarine patrol.

                1st           Carried out' patrol off Freetown.

                3rd          Escorted coastal convoy to Takoradi (ST Series) with HM Sloop BRIDGEWATER and HM

                                Corvettes HMS CLOVER, FREESIA and NIGELLA.

                12th        Deployed with HM Destroyer VANSITTART off Cape Verde Island in search for U-Boat

                                in conjunction with aircraft.

                16th        Part of escort for military Convoy WS14 to Freetown with HM Destroyers CROOME and

                                EXMOOR.

                                (Note: HM Aircraft Transport ATHENE taking aircraft for Middle East to Takoradi was also

                                in this Convoy.)

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                  Freetown convoy defence and patrol in continuation.

                13th        Escorted Convoy SL98 with HM Corvettes FRITILLARY, AURICULA, NIGELLA and

                                ORCHIS.

                27th        Joined HM Battleship RESOLUTION, HM Destroyers VIMY, BOREAS, COLUMBIA (RCN)

                                and HM Sloop MILFORD as escort for military Convoy WS15.

                31st         Detached to investigate report of U-Boat in area.

 

February                Escorted Convoy SL100 to Freetown with HM Destroyers BOREAS, VIDETTE,

                                WISHART, WIVERN and BRADFORD, HM Sloops ROCHESTER, SCARBOROUGH,

                                FOLKESTONE, WESTON and WELLINGTON.

                11th        Escorted inward Convoy OS18 into Freetown with HM Cutter GORLESTON and five

                                FLOWER Class corvettes..

                22nd       Detached with BRILLIANT and BOREAS to escort ss NEW NORTHLAND to Bathurst.

                26th        Deployed as escort for military Convoy WS16 into Freetown with HM Destroyers BOREAS

                                and BRILLIANT.

                                (Note: HM Cruiser NEWCASTLE was deployed as Ocean Escort.)

 

March

                1st           Detached from WS16 on arrival at Freetown.

                6th          Deployed as Local Escort for WS16 during first stage of passage from Freetown with HMS

                                BRILLIANT, HM Sloop BRIDGEWATER and HM Corvette NIGELLA.

                8th          Detached from WS16 with HMS BRILLIANT and returned to Freetown.

                23rd        Escorted Convoy SL104 from Freetown with HM Corvettes BERGAMOT, SNOWDROP,

                                VIOLET and French Commandant DETROYAT.

 

April

                1st           Deployed as escort for military Convoy WS17 during passage into Freetown with HM

                                Destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, Free French corvette COMMANDANT DETROYAT

                                and HM Corvette HYDRANGEA.

                6th          Detached from WS17 on arrival at Freetown

                                (Note: One source records that ship sailed for Freetown on 31st and never joined convoy

                                but another records the deployment was as follows.)

                                WS17 included warships and troop ships on passage for planned landings in Madagascar

                                (Operation IRONCLAD)

                11th        Deployed as Local Escort for WS17B during passage from Freetown with HM Destroyer

                                CROOME Free French corvette COMMANDANT DROGOU and HM Corvette

                                HYDRANGEA.

                14th        Detached from WS17B and returned to Freetown with same ships.

                                (Note: WS17 divided into two sections at Freetown.)

 

May                        Escorted HM Battleship MALAYA during her return from IRONCLAD convoy.

                20th        Joined military convoy WS19 with HM Destroyer BOREAS as part of Local escort into

                                Freetown.

                22nd       Detached from WS19 on arrival at Freetown

                                Nominated for refit in UK.

                25th        Escorted troopship ss EMPRESS OF RUSSIA with HM Armed Merchant Cruiser LARGS and

                                HM COLOMBO during passage from Freetown..

 

June

                5th          Detached to meet HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS after fuelling at Ponta Delgada.

                7th          Arrived Gibraltar with HMS ARGUS and HM Destroyer BEAGLE.

                11th        Joined ships of 36th Escort Group with BEAGLE for escort Convoy HG84.

                13th        Refit port changed from Portsmouth to Southampton.

                14th        Convoy under attacks by ENDRASS Group of U-Boats.

                                Boarded Spanish fishing vessels suspected as reporting convoy movements to German agents in

                                Spain.

                                No evidence found.

                15th        Detached to refuel in Plymouth.

                                After arrival Plymouth immediately ordered to reinforce HG84 and sailed.

                                Convoy was still under sustained attacks from U-Boat Group.

                16th        Rejoined escort of HG84. Detached from HG84 because of low fuel state.

                                Came under attack by 12 Ju88 whilst passing through fishing fleet.

                                Extensive damaged and flooding caused by four near misses.

                                Ship sank later in position 49.52N 10.4W.

                                (Note: Ship was involved in collision with Spanish trawler during these attacks.

                                Some Spaniards Jumped on board and were present when ship foundered.

                                For a graphic description of the defence of this ship during these attacks and of the

                                valiant efforts to save her - See WILD SWAN by Peter C Smith).

                                123 Survivors rescued by HM Destroyer VANSITTART landed at Milford Haven

                                Casualty List was published on 25th July 1942.)

 

 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMS WILD SWAN

by Don Kindell

 

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

(Note on Convoys)