LOCH-Class Twin Screw Fast Frigate
ordered on
26th January 1903 from Charles Hill, Bristol and
laid down on 31st March 1943
as Yard Number 299 (Admiralty Job No J530). The
ship was launched by the Queen
Mother HM Queen
Mary on 9th September 1944 as the 1st Royal Navy
ship to carry the name. Build was completed on
22nd December that year. The Gaelic name for the
Loch is Scabhaig.
G e o g r a
p h i c
D a t a
Loch in Isle
of Skye. Grid
Reference NG5015.
(Note: Three Clans are associated
with this area: Clan MacLeod
- Western shore,
Clan MacDonald
- NE shore, Clan MacKinnon
- SE shore.)
B a t t
le H o n
o u
r s
ATLANTIC
1945
H e r a l d
i
c D a t a
Badge: On a
Field barry wavy of
eight White and Blue, a dexter
hand grasping
a whortleberry
fructed proper.
(Note:
Derived from the Clan Badge of the MacLeods
An
unofficial badge was used before the official
Seal described above
was
authorised).
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 4 4
December
Ship's Company joined from Devonport Depot.
Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander C W
Hancock.
22nd Build
completion and commenced Harbour Trials.
Accepted from builder and commissioned for
service with 23rd Escort Group.
1 9 4 5
January
1st
Embarked ammunition off Avonmouth and commenced
Sea acceptance trials.
Took passage to Tobermory to work-up for
operational service.
February
4th
Completed work-up and took passage to
Londonderry for gun trials and an A/S exercise before
joining Group.
Detected submarine during trial and attacked
with SQUID Mortar.
Joined by HM Frigates PAPUA and NYASALAND in
search for submarine.
Anti-submarine operations with sustained depth
charge attacks.
5th
HM Frigate LOCH SHIP joined operations.
Significant quantities of wreckage, documents
and clothing were found and attacks ceased
Sinking of U1011 off the entrance to Loch Foyle
,in position 55.17N 06.WW was credited to
these ships. See U-BOATS DESTROYED by P Kemp.
(Note: U1011 was commanded by Oberleutenant zur
See Wolfgang Glaser.
.
Captain later awarded the DSC and ASDIC operator
the DSM.
For details of weapons and tactics used for
convoy defence see SEEK AND STRIKE by
W Hackmann and BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by J Terrains).
6th
Passage with HMS PAPUA and HNS NYASALAND to Join Force 38 in SH Approaches for
support of convoy escorts in place of ships of
6th Escort Group.
8th
Commenced duty as Force 138 and joined escort
for KMS Convoy on passage to the
Mediterranean.
9th
Deployed on patrol from Coningbeg Light to
Stella LV in support of convoys.
11th
Passage to Milford Haven for replenishment and
repair.
12th
Returned to support duty and escorted Convoys
KMS81 and HX336.
16th
On entering Milford Haven collided with buoy and
sustained damage to Fuel Tank.
17th
Taken in hand for repair in Liverpool
(Note: Opportunity was taken during this period
to stiffen the hull structure in accordance
with an Admiralty directive following reports
from other ships of the Class).
March
Rejoined Group and deployed for anti-submarine
patrol in NW Approaches.
to
Transferred to Scapa Flow for convoy defence in
North Sea.
April
Nominated for service in East Indies after end
of hostilities in Europe.
May
Deployed in North Sea based at
Scapa Flow for convoy defence.
4th
On cessation of hostilities deployed at Rosyth
with Group.
18th
Deployed as escort for Convoy RN1with HM
Frigates LOCH GORM, PAPUA, MONTSERRAT,
and HM Minesweeper MAENAD to
Stavanger, Bergen and Oslo
(Operation DOOMSDAY).
(Note: Convoy comprised ten ships including HM
Danlayer TRODDAY manned by the Royal
Norwegian Navy and taking Norwegian nationals
back to Norway.
20th
At Oslo
22nd Visited
Moss
Note: Later visited Horten.
27th
Escorted surrendered German submarines U874,
U975, U170 and U1108 to Scapa Flow from
Oslo with HMS BAHAMAS.
(Note: These submarines were to be disposed of
by sinking in NW Approaches.
(Operation DEADLIGHT).)
30th
After arrival U-Boats detached and took passage
with HM Frigates BAYNTUN and TAVY to
Bergen.
31st
At Bergen.
June
2nd
Escorted 13 Type 23 U-Boats from Bergen with HM
Frigates BAYNTUN, BAHAMAS and
TAVY.
During passage sighted mines which were sunk by
rifle fire.
3rd
Detached as escort for U2328 which could not
maintain convoy speed.
Returned independently to Scapa Flow.
4th
Arrived at Scapa Flow.
Deployed as escorted for U2321, U2325, U2328,
U2335, U2337, U2350, U2353, U2354, U2361
and U2363 to Loch Ryan with HM Frigates LOCH
ACHRAY, LOCH MORE and GRINDALL.
(Note: U-Boats were to be prepared for
destruction at Loch Ryan).
6th
East Indies deployment by end August 1945 confirmed.
Returned to Londonderry to give foreign service
leave and prepare for foreign service.
Four 20mm Oerlikon guns fitted on quarterdeck to
improve AA defence.
9th
New Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander. C
W Leadbetter RNR appointed.
July
At Londonderry preparing for foreign service in
East Indies Escort Force.
27th
Developed machinery defect during passage to
Liverpool.
28th
On completion of repair took passage to
Gibraltar.
29th
Joined HM Monitor ROBERTS for Joint passage.
August
1st
Arrived at Gibraltar.
3rd
Took passage to Alexandria with HM Monitor
ROBERTS.
10th
At Alexandria.
15th
Transit of Suez Canal.
20th
Arrived at Aden.
(Note: HMS ROBERTS detached during Red Sea
passage.)
27th
At Colombo and prepared for support of landings
in Malaya.
(Operation ZIPPER - This had been delayed at
American insistence and problems. at service
departments in London due to demobilisation
arrangements under the PYTHON Scheme.
30th
Deployed as escort for escort of LCT's (Convoy
JMD16) to Port Swettenham with HM Frigate
EVENLODE.
September
5th
At Port Swettenham during landings of Indian
troops (Operation ZIPPER).
10th
Passage to Singapore.
12th
At Singapore for for formal surrender ceremony.
13th
Escorted Convoy No 5 from Singapore during
passage to ports in Bay of Bengal
17th
Deployed for guardship, patrol and convoy escort
in Straits of Malacca after return to
to
Singapore.
30th Visited
Port Swettenham.
(For details see BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de
Winser)
October
3rd
Took passage to Saigon, French Into China.
6th
At Saigon.
7th
Passage from Saigon with HM Landing Ship
(Infantry) QUEEN EMMA in tow.
(Note: HM Frigate LOCH MORE and ss MALACCA in
company.
The LSI had been mined)
10th
Resumed duties at Singapore on arrival.
18th
Passage to Bangkok,
31st
Return passage from Bangkok to Singapore.
November
4th
Taken in hand for docking and repair of stern
tube linings in commercial shipyard.
(Note: The shafts and linings ware believed to
have been misaligned after an earlier incident
when a depth charge detonated prematurely.
The recent towing of HM LSI QUEEN EMMA was also
believed to have caused further
defect.
New linings ware fitted and one tail shaft
skimmed.
Leakage through the stem glands became a source
of anxiety after this docking.)
December
Dry-docking and repair in continuation.
16th
Prepared for operational use after undocking.
18th
Deployed for Air-Sea Rescue duties in Bay of
Bengal.
(Note: This was part of an East Indies Fleet
operation during the visit by HM King George VI
to the XIV Army in
Burma)
29th
Arrived at Trincomalee after release from Air
Sea Rescue deployment.
1 9 4 6
January
Nominated for duty as Guardship in Dutch East
Indies.
12th
Passage from Trincomalee to Singapore.
18th
Arrived at Singapore to prepare for Guardship
duties.
20th
Took passage to Sourabaya.
28th
Sailed for Ball for patrol duties to intercept
vessels reported to be used for supply of arms
and
personnel for insurrections by those opposed to
the Dutch colonial administration.
29th
Began patrol duty off Bali.
February
3rd
Returned to Sourabaya.
(Note: During this period off Bali an offer of
surrender by Japanese officers was not accepted.
Later the surrender took place on board HMS LOCH
ECK.
8th
Deployed at Semerang as Guardship.
12th
Returned to Singapore and deployed at Johore.
March
1st
Deployed at Singapore.
4th
Took passage to Bangkok to embark diplomatic
personnel.
9th
At Bangkok
17th
Passage to Singapore with Italian Ambassador,
diplomatic staff and FANY officer.
(Note: Change of Officers’ cabin arrangements
was necessary.)
21st
Resumed duties at Singapore.
24th
Passage to Batavia.
26th
At Batavia.
28th
Passage to Macassar to embark Dutch military and
civilian passengers.
April
1st
Embarked passengers at Macassar
2nd
Took passage to Amboina Island.
4th
At Amboina.
8th
Passage to Kai to land Dutch civilians and
family of Dutch Governor.
11th
Return passage from Kei to Macassar.
15th
Arrived at Macassar.
16th
Embarked two Japanese war criminals and Dutch
military guard.
(Note: Prisoners were kept under guard on
quarterdeck during passage to Singapore.
20th
At Singapore and landed passengers.
Secured at Sembawang naval bass.
Nominated for Guardship duty at Morotai.
22nd Took
passage from Singapore to Morotai to relieve HM
Destroyers CAVALIER and
CAVENDISH.
29th
Arrived at Morotai to begin Guardship duty.
(Note: Morotai , in the Moluccas Group of
islands was being used for the detention of
Japanese
POW whilst awaiting return to Japan.
Arrangements for custody of the POW in Liberty
Ships was the responsibility of the
Australian Army but these ships had to be
inspected by personnel from the Guardship to
ensure they were satisfactory for this duty).
May
Deployed as Guardship at Morotai.
(Note: Conditions on board a LOCH Class Frigate
without air conditioning and a ventilation
system inadequate for tropical climate were far
from satisfactory.
The limited facilities available, apart from the
abundance of swimming and ‘Banyan’
opportunities did little to enthuse the Ship's
Company, largely made up of HO personnel!)
June
1st
Sailed for Singapore without regret.
7th
Arrived at Singapore.
8th
Prepared for return passage to UK.
10th
Took passage from Singapore.
19th
Sailed from Trincomalee.
29th
Called at Aden.
July
5th
Suez Canal transit.
15th
Took passage from Gibraltar for Plymouth.
(Statistical Note: Mileage steamed - 37,525).
20th
Paid off began reduction to Reserve status
De-ammunitioned and de-stored
August
Reducing to Reserve status in continuation.
24th
Docked for extensive investigation into shaft
alignment consequent on incidents during
service (See above).
September
10th
Undocked.
October
Laid up in Reserve Fleet at Plymouth.
to
December
1 9 4
7 t o 1 9 4
8
In Reserve at Plymouth.
Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes
changed to F648 (May 1948)
1 9 4 9
January
In Reserve at Plymouth.
to
Nominated for refit in commercial shipyard.
September
(Note: This refit was undertaken to ensure high
state of availability when brought forward for
Fleet service).
October
Passage under tow from Plymouth to London.
November
Taken in had for refit by Green and Silley Weir, East
India Docks, London.
December
Under refit.
1 9 5 0
January
Under refit.
February
Post refit trials.
16th
Refit work completed
March
To be brought forward for service and
re-commissioned.
(Note: Nine LOCH Class Frigates were to taken
out of Reserve to replace seven BATTLE
Class Destroyers in the Mediterranean).
April
3rd
Commanding Officer: Commander A H Williams
appointed.
May
8th
Commissioned with Chatham Depot personnel for
service in 2nd Frigate Flotilla, Mediterranean
Fleet
7th
Passage to Sheerness..
11th
At Chatham for refit to prepare for operational
service.
12th
Taken in hand for refit and repair work not
undertaken in London.
to
Embarked outfit of naval and victualling stores.
31st
June
At Chatham preparing for service and embarked
ammunition at Sheerness.
5th
Sailed from Sheerness for Portsmouth.
23rd
Passage to Gibraltar from Portsmouth.
28th
Arrived at Gibraltar
Docked after collision with RFA PRESTOL.
July
5th
Sailed from Gibraltar to Malta.
10th
Joined Flotilla In Malta.
23rd
Deployed with Flotilla in Malta.
31st
Visited Messina.
August
3rd
Returned to Malta.
23rd
Took part in 2nd Summer Cruise including visits
to Crete and Aegean islands.
September
Nominated for detached duty as Guardship duty at
Aqaba.
8th
At Izmir.
12th
Passage to Port Said from Izmir.
16th
Suez Canal transit.
17th
Arrived at Aqaba.
29th
On relief as Guardship took passage to Athens,
October
4th
Embarked HM Ambassador to Greece and Lady Norton
with Sir Malcolm Sargent, who
was nationally renowned as a musical conductor.
5th
Sailed from Athena.
7th
Visited Patros and Kos.
10th
At Scarpanto.
11th
At Leros and Amogos.
12th
Passengers disembarked and took passage to
Malta.
14th
Rejoined Flotilla in Malta
November
3rd
Deployed with Flotilla and visited Tripoli.
9th
Transferred to 5th Frigate Flotilla with HM
Frigates LOCH MORE and LOCH CRAGGIE
based in Malta.
December
Deployed with Flotilla in
Malta for local exercises
1 9 5 1
January
Deployed at Malta.
Involved in collision with HM Destroyer
CHIVALROUS at Malta..
Nominated for detached duty at Aqaba.
9th
Took passage to Aqaba.
14th
Deployed as Guardship at Aqaba
20th
On relief sailed from Aqaba to return to Malta
with call at Port Sudan.
February
8th
Arrived at Malta and rejoined Flotilla.
Prepared for Mediterranean Spring Cruise and
Exercises.
10th
Sailed from Malta for Fleet cruise and
exercises.
13th
At Aranci Bay
14th
Took passage to Gibraltar.
17th
Arrived at Gibraltar.
March
At Gibraltar
12th
Sailed for combined Fleet exercises with Home
Fleet ships.
16th
At Cannes.
23rd
At Taranto.
27th
At Augusta, Sicily.
31st
Passage to Malta.
April
Deployed at Malta with Flotilla..
to
May
June
Prepared for Fleet 1st Summer Cruise Exercise
and Visits programme.
4th
Sailed for Fleet Exercises in Eastern
Mediterranean.
8th
At Izmir.
15th
At Khios.
23rd
At Milos.
30th
Arrived at Marmarice, Turkey for Fleet Regatta.
July
9th
Took passage for exercises.
12th
Arrived in Malta
(Note: Nominated for Guardship duty at Aqaba.
No confirmation is available).
August
Deployed with Flotilla in
Malta
(Note: Contemporary records show no passage to
or from Aqaba.
September
Flotilla duties based in
Malta.
14th
Took passage to Athena.
17th
Sailed from Athens for Crete.
20th
Returned to Athens.
22nd Sailed
from Athens for visit to Istanbul.
24th
At Istanbul.
29th
Sailed from Istanbul for NATO Exercise SYMPHONIE
DEUX
October
Took part in SYMPHONIE DEUX.
3rd
At Juan lea Pins, French Riviera.
5th
At Toulon.
6th
At Golfe Juan and Nice.
9th
Sailed from Nice for continuation of exercise.
12th
At Menton
15th
Sailed from Menton for passage to Malta.
18th
Arrived in Malta after exercising on passage.
November
Deployed in Malta with Flotilla.
December
Nominated for Guardship duty at Port Said.
6th
Passage to Port Said.
10th
Arrived at Port Said.
(Note: This deployment was ordered to increase
in the RN presence in the Eastern
Mediterranean
because of the political unrest in the Middle
East).
1 9 5 2
January
Deployed at Port Said.
8th
Passage to Malta to rejoin Flotilla.
10th
Resumed Flotilla duties on arrival.
February
Deployed with Flotilla in
Malta
to
March.
April
1st
Took passage for exercises in Central
Mediterranean.
4th
At Messina.
7th
Sailed to resume exercises.
10th
Returned to Malta.
21st
Passage to Venice with HM Sloops CYGNET, PEACOCK
and HM Frigate LOCH MORE.
24th
At Venice with chips of Flotilla.
May
1st
Sailed for return to Malta with Flotilla.
4th
At Messina.
7th
Passage to Malta from Messina, Sicily.
(Note: A new commanding Officer joined ship
during mid 1952,
Commander AC Mackworth RN).
June
Took part in 1st Summer Cruise Fleet Exercise
and Visits Programme.
to
Calls made at Berletta, Lautaki and Dogamsti
before Fleet Regatta at Navarino in southern
July
Greece.
Nominated for
reduction to Reserve status at Chatham)
August
On return to Malta carried out self maintenance
and prepared for return passage.
September
1st
Took passage from Malta to UK with four Motor
Launches and HM Landing Craft
(Headquarters)
236 under tow.
Speed was restricted.
(Note: Calls were made at Gibraltar,
Lisbon and Santander,
Spain.
15th
Arrived at Chatham.
Paid-off and commenced Reduction to Reserve
status.
October
Laid-up at Chatham in Reserve Fleet.
F i n a
l P h a s e
HMS LOCH
SCAVAIG had been recommended for modernisation
by CinC
Mediterranean but this was never implemented The
ship was towed to Liverpool in
May 1953 to be fully preserved by Henderson's.
On
completion in November that year she was towed
to Gibraltar and joined the
Reserve Fleet Sub-Division. Whilst at Gibraltar
it became evident that dockyard
refit would be needed she could be brought
forward for further operational
service and her Reserve Category was accordingly
reduced. No refit was
therefore arranged and she was placed on the
Disposal List in 1958 as part of the
reduction of the Reserve Fleet in 1958. Before
being scrapped the ship was
de-equipped and placed on the Sales List. Sold
to an Italian shipbreaker
at Genoa she arrived at the breakers’ yard in
tow on 5th September 1959.