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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2 by Lt Cdr Geoffrey B Mason RN (Rtd) (c) 2005

HMIS CAUVARY (U 10) - Modified Black Swan-class Sloop including Convoy Escort Movements 

HMIS Cauvery (Navy Photos, click to enlarge)

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Modified BLACK SWAN-Class Sloop ordered from Yarrow's at Scotstoun under 1940 Build Programme on 10th September 1941 for the Royal Indian Navy. This ship was laid down on 28th October 1942 and was launched on 15th June 1943 by Lady Runganadhan as the 1st RIN ship to carry the name. Her build, completed on 26th August 1943, included fit of surface warning radar Type 272 and fire-control radar Type 285.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

BURMA 1944-45

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

No details are available in the Admiralty Official List for Royal Navy ships.

 

 

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 3

 

October

 

Contractor's trials and commissioned for service

 

21st - Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

 

November

 

On completion of trials and storing took passage to Scapa Flow for shakedown period with ships of Home Fleet. Deployed for local convoy escort.

 

December

 

Worked-up at Tobermory for escort duty in Indian Ocean.

 

 

1 9 4 4

 

January

 

On completion deployed in Home waters.

 

February

 

Nominated for service in Indian Ocean with Eastern Fleet. Prepared for passage to Indian Ocean via Mediterranean.

 

March

 

3rd - Part of Escort for military convoy KMS29 to Port Said.

 

16th - Arrived at Port Said.

 

Took independent passage to Aden to join Convoy AJ2 as escort.

 

April

 

Passage with convoy in Indian Ocean.

 

4th - Joined Eastern Fleet after arrival at Colombo.

 

Deployed for convoy escort in Bay of Bengal.

 

May to June

 

Convoy Escort in India Ocean in continuation. (Note: Eastern Fleet ships were deployed for attack on Rangoon in Operation DRAGOON with escorts required for military convoy during passage in Bay of Bengal.)

 

July

 

Joined Force 66, Eastern Fleet for anti-submarine operations in support of passage of Indian Ocean Convoys

 

August to October

 

Rejoined Force 66 in continuation of anti-submarine and interception operations.

 

November to December

 

Under refit at Bombay.

 

 

1 9 4 5

 

January

 

Under refit.

 

February

 

Carried out post-refit trials and prepared for support of military operations in Burma.

 

March

 

Carried out major role in bombardment of Letpan prior to amphibious landing by 4th Brigade to cut off retreat of Japanese troops (Operation TURRET). Bombardment Force also included HM Destroyers ROEBUCK, ESKIMO and HM Indian Sloop JUMNA. (For details of Eastern Fleet activities in 1945 see THE FORGOTTEN FLEET by J. Winton, OPERATION PACIFIC by E Gray, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett and WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)

 

April

 

Deployed off Akyab for patrol prior to planned landings.

 

27th - Escorted assault convoy for landings at Rangoon with HM Indian Sloops NARBADA, GODAVARI, KISTNA, SUTLEJ and HINDUSTAN (Operation DRACULA).

 

May

 

Patrol and support duties In continuation.

 

16th - Deployed with HM Indian Sloop NARBADA, GODAVARI, KISTNA, SUTLEJ and HINDUSTAN on patrol duty between Andamans and Burma coast to intercept supply and evacuation shipping.

 

June

 

On completion deployed for patrol duty off coasts of Burma and Malaya.

 

July

 

Deployed in Malacca Straits for patrol and support during minesweeping operations (Operation COLLIE). Prepared for escort and support during planned Malayan coast assault landings. (Operation ZIPPER – These were delayed due to US insistence and administration of the PYTHON Scheme for release of long service personnel in SEAC. See THE FORGOTTEN FLEET, OPERATION PACIFIC and WAR WITH JAPAN.)

 

August

 

15th - Part of escort for troop convoy on passage to beach head in Malaya. (For details see above references and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser for Information about all warships and mercantiles involved.)

 

Deployed for patrol in Malacca Strait.

 

September

 

Deployed for defence of follow-up convoys

 

12th - At Singapore for surrender ceremony.

 

 

P o s t   War   N o t e s

 

HMIS CAUVERY was deployed in East Indies for support of repatriation operations in East Indies area and also visited the Fleet base at Mantis. She reverted to RIN control later in 1945 and in 1947 after partition became part of the Indian Navy.  The ship  was renamed KEVERI and served for many years in the 12th Frigate Squadron. Finally Paid-off in September 1977 and she was broken-up in India.

 


 

Addendum

 

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMIS CAUVERY

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

 

 

 

 

 

15/12/43

16/12/43

OS 062KM

02/01/44

02/01/44

02/01/44

02/01/44

KMS 036G

03/01/44

03/01/44

06/01/44

06/01/44

SL 144MK

12/01/44

18/01/44

03/03/44

03/03/44

KMF 029A

17/03/44

17/03/44

28/03/44

28/03/44

AJ 002/2

04/04/44

04/04/44

16/04/44

16/04/44

CJ 023B

18/04/44

18/04/44

12/11/44

12/11/44

ABF 005B

18/11/44

18/11/44

 

 

 

 

 

(Note on Convoys)

 

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revised 10/6/11
further editing is required