Modified BLACK SWAN-Class Sloop ordered from
Fairfield
SB, Govan 18th July 1941 and laid
down as Job No 11701 (Yard No
701)on 21st
October
that year. She was launched on 14th
October 1942 as the 9th RN ship
to
bear the name, introduced in
1801 for a Gun-Brig. Build was completed
on 1st April 1943. This ship was made
famous by the leadership and
anti-submarine expertise of Captain F J
Walker, RN
whose name will always be associated
with the Battle of the Atlantic as
recorded in FIGHTING CAPTAIN by A. Burn.
Her war service and successes were
unrivalled. After a successful WARSHIP
WEEK National Savings
campaign in March 1942 the ship had been
adopted by the civil community of
Runcorn
Rural District, then in Lancashire
B
a t t
l e H o n o u r s
CHINA
1841-42 -
BALTIC 1855 - CHINA 1956-60 -
BISCAY
1943-44 - ATLANTIC 1943-45 -
ARCTIC 1944 - NORMANDY
1944
H e r
a l d i
c D a
t a
Badge:
On a Field
Green,
a
Starling proper grasping in
its beak
a
worm all proper.
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
March
Contractors trials and commissioning.
April
1st
Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials.
On completion of trials and storing took
passage to Tobermory.
Worked up for operational service
Took passage to Liverpool on completion.
Joined 2nd Escort Group as Senior
Officer's ship.
29th
Began first operational mission to
support Atlantic convoys.
May
Deployed with Group in support of safe
-passage of Convoy HX235.
22nd
Deployed with HM Sloops WREN,
WOODPECKER, CYGNET, WILD GOOSE and KITE
for support
operations during passage of ONS8
Convoy in
North
Atlantic
June
1st
Under U-Boat attack as part of escort
for HX241.
After detection of wireless
transmissions began search for
submarine.
(Note: For information about deployments
of U-Boats and weapons used for both
defence
and attacks on Atlantic convoys see
U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMS0),
SEEK AND STRIKE by W Hackmann, BUSINESS
IN GREAT WATERS by John
Terraine , HITLER’S U-BOAT WAR by C
Blair and above reference.)
2nd
Sank U202 in position 56.12N 39.52W, SSE
Cape Farewell.
30 survivors were rescued after an
operation lasting 15 hours.
(Note: For details of this sinking and
of all others sunk by Group see U-BOATS
DESTROYED
by P Kemp.)
16th
Transferred to Plymouth Command for A/S
offensive operations in Bay of Biscay to
intercept
U-Boats on passage to and from base
ports in conjunction with RAF Coastal
Command aircraft
and covered by HM Cruiser SCYLLA
(Operation MUSKETRY).
.
24th
After detection by ASDIC joined Group in
attacks on U119 which surfaced.
Engaged submarine by gunfire with other
ships of Group.
Intended ramming foiled by heavy swell
but some structural damage sustained.
U119 sunk by depth charges from HM Sloop
WOODPECKER in position 44.59N 12.24W
There were no survivors from U119 which
was acting as a supply tanker.
July
Under repair at Devonport.
August
3rd
Involved in collision with HM Submarine
UMBRA without major damage.
September
Rejoined Group for convoy support in
Atlantic and Bay of Biscay.
Under air attacks during operations in
support of passage of Convoy HX258.
October
Deployed with ships of 1st and 2nd
Escort Groups as escort for Convoy
ON207.,
21st
Joined escort for Convoy HX262 with HM
Sloops MAGPIE, KITE, WOODCOCK and
WILD GOOSE Group with air cover from HM
Escort Carrier TRACKER.
25th
Convoy diverted to ensure safe passage
because of known threat by SIEGFRIED
group
of U-boats.
November
1st
Detached to support escort of HX264 with
ships of Group and HMS TRACKER.
Convoy under threat of attacks from
TIRPITZ group of U-Boats.
6th
Carried out anti-submarine operations
with HMS WOODCOCK after U226 had been
sighted by
HMS KITE.
Sank U226 with HMS WOODCOCK and HMS KITE
in position 44.49N 41.13W, east
of
Newfoundland
after an extensive series of attacks by
Group.
There were no survivors and convoy
passed without any detection.
Took part in attacks on U842 which was
sunk later in position 43.42N 42.08W
by HMS
WILD GOOSE which located submarine after
report by aircraft from HMS
TRACKER.
There were no survivors. (See U-BOATS
DESTROYED.)
8th
During passage to refuel in Argentia
came under T5 acoustic torpedo attack
from
U648 which failed.
24th
Deployed for support of convoys on
UK-Gibraltar route.
27th
Part of escort for Convoy MKS31/SL140
under threat of attack by WEDDIGEN group
of U-Boats.
Escort reinforced by 2nd and 4th Escort
Groups.
28th
Took part in A/S hunt operations and
drove off U843.
December
Under refit and repair at Liverpool.
1
9 4 4
January
Under refit.
26th
On completion rejoined Group for support
of passage of Atlantic convoys.
31st
Deployed with HM Sloops WILD GOOSE,
WOODPECKER, KITE and MAGPIE with
air cover by
HM escort
Carriers NAIRANA and ACTIVITY to
safeguard passage of
convoys west of
Ireland
from threat by IGEL group of U-Boats.
Sank U592 in position 50.20N 17.29W (SW
of Ireland) with HM Sloops WILD GOOSE
and MAGPIE.
There were no survivors from the U-Boat.
February
8th
Deployed with Group for independent
anti-submarine operations against the
IGEL Group
of U-Boats.
Took part in sinking of U762 by Group in
position 49.02N 16.58W.
There were no survivors.
9th
Continued operations after unsuccessful
attack by T5 Acoustic torpedoes from
U238 and U734
Carried out extensive search with HM
Sloops WILD GOOSE, KITE and
MAGPIE in
support
of passage of joint Convoy SL147/MKS38
supported by HMS NAIRANA and HMS
ACTIVITY
which joined after sinking of U592 (See
above.)
Both submarines destroyed in position
45.44N 16.20W without any survivors.
(See BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by J.
Terraine)
17th
Deployed with ships of 2nd and 7th
Escort Groups to support Convoy ON224
under
threat
from
HAI
Group of U-Boats. Convoy course was
diverted.
19th
Sank U264 with HMS WOODPECKER in Group
operations following support for passage
of
ONS224.
26th
Completed A/S patrol during which
Support Group sank six U-Boats.
(Note: This period established
the
effectiveness of 'Creeping' A/S
attacks.
(Operation PLASTER) which had been
perfected by
Captain
Walker.
See BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS.)
March
7th
Detached from operations with Group for
support and escort duty in NW
Approaches.
11th
Deployed with Group for four days
anti-submarine exercises in conduction
with aircraft from
HM Escort Carrier VINDEX.
15th
Sank U653 in position 53.46N 24.35W with
HM Sloops WREN, WILD GOOSE and MAGPIE
after sighting by a SWORDF1SH aircraft
of 825 Squadron embarked in
HMS
VINDEX.
There were no survivors from the U-Boat.
29th
Joined Russian Convoy PQ58 with HM
Sloops MAGPIE, WILD GOOSE, WREN and
WHIMBREL
of Group to
supplement anti-submarine support for
passage to Kola Inlet.
(Note: This convoy included US cruiser
USS MILWAUKEE being handed over to
the
Soviet Navy.)
Sank U961 in position 64.31N 03.19W with
no survivors.
(Note: Submarine was on independent
passage to Atlantic and probably was not
aware of
presence of JW58.)
April
2nd
Convoy came under series of unsuccessful
U-boat attacks by THOR , BLITZ and
HAMMER
Groups until 3rd
7th
Provided A/S support for returning
Convoy RA58 with ships of Group., four
Fleet Destroyers
and two corvettes.
14th
Detached on arrival of convoy at Loch
Ewe after an uninterrupted passage.
15th
Under weather damage repair in
Liverpool.
28th
On completion rejoined Group for A/S
support operations in SW Approaches.
Deployed with 2nd and 5th Support Groups
supported by aircraft from HMS VINDEX in
series
of anti-submarine operations following
interception of radio signals from
U-Boats.
May
3rd
Deployed with Group in search for U-Boat
reporting weather conditions to shore.
(Note: US destroyer USS MACDONNELL was
torpedoed in the area.)
6th
Carried out search lasting 18 hours with
HMS WILD GOOSE and WREN.
Forced U473 to surface and then sunk the
submarine by gunfire despite an attack
by T5
acoustic
torpedo.
(Note: Submarine had been acting as
weather station.
30 survivors rescued.
15th
On termination of operations tool
passage to Liverpool.
17th
Arrived at Liverpool.
29th
Deployed in support of convoys in
Western Approaches.
June
Nominated for anti-submarine operations
in support of planned allied landings in
Normandy.
(For details see OPERATION NEPTUNE by K
Edwards, LANDINGS IN NORMANDY
(HMSO) and for details of all
mercantiles and warships involved D-DAY
SHIPS by J de Winser)
2nd
Passage of English Channel with HMS WILD
GOOSE and WREN.
6th
Deployed in Bay of Biscay and west
Channel area for operations to prevent
any
attempt by
U-Boats to attack Invasion convoys
(Operation NEPTUNE) .
10th
Operational area transferred to east and
ship based at Plymouth. See references.
July
1st
Returned to Liverpool.
9th
Death of Captain F J Walker, Royal Navy
who was relieved as Senior Officer EG2
by
Commander D
Weymss (See FIGHTING CAPTAIN) .
(Note: Captain Walker was buried at sea
from HM Destroyer HESPERUS with
appropriate
ceremonial on 11th.).
28th
Deployed in SW Approaches with 3rd
Support Group and RAF aircraft to
prevent access to
Channel by U-Boats and to intercept
their passages across the Bay of
Biscay
for attacks on
Atlantic convoys.
31st
Sank U333 In position 49.39N 07.28W with
HM Frigate LOCH KILLIN.
August
6th
Sank U736 in position 47.19N 04.16W with
HMS LOCH KILLIN.
19 of submarine crew were rescued.
11th
Engaged U385 on surface but after
submarine dived did not make contact
during a
search with
Group.
After sighting and attack by SUNDERLAND
aircraft of 461 Squadron RAAF, U385
was
located on surface and attacked with
gunfire.
Submarine crew had abandoned and it sank
in position 46.16N 02.45W.
41 survivors were rescued
(Note: During this deployment the Group
sank four U-Boats.)
September
Deployed with 2nd Escort Group
re-designated 22nd Escort Group.
Western Approaches deployment in
continuation.
Nominated for refit.
30th
Taken in hand for refit at Falmouth.
October
Under refit.
to
Nominated for service with 22nd Escort
Group.
November
December
Carried out post refit trials
13th
On completion
of sea trials prepared for operational
service.
1
9 4 5
January
Joined new Group and Redeployed with in
Western Approaches for the escort and
support of
passage for Atlantic convoys
16th
Carried out sustained search with Group
after HM Escort Carrier THANE had been
torpedoed
in
Clyde.
Took part in sinking of U482 in position
55.30N, 05.43W (North Channel) with HM
Sloops
HART, AMETHYST and HM Frigate LOCH
CRAGGIE.
There were no survivors,
February
Nominated for service in British Pacific
Fleet after refit.
12th
Taken in hand for long refit in Tyne
shipyard.
March
Under refit
to
June
July
Post refit trials.
August
10th
On completion worked up at Tobermory for
foreign service
September
5th
Following
end of hostilities requirement lapsed
and returned to Devonport to pay off.
P o s t W a r
N o t e s
HMS
STARLING was de-stored and paid off into
Reserve during
October 1945. Within two months this
ship was selected for use as a
Navigation
Training Ship baaed at Portsmouth. She
was converted for this duty at
Portsmouth
where her armament was removed and
facilities for practical training were
added. In March 1946 she began training
duties as a Tender to the Navigation
School, H M S DRYAD, and continued in
this role until 1956 when she was Paid
Off and reduced to Reserve status at
Portsmouth. Placed on the Disposal List
in
1955 the ship was sold to BISCO for
demolition by Lacmots
and towed to the breakers yard at Queenborough,
Kant
on 26th May 1958. This name was carried
forward when given to a PEACOCK Class
Patrol Vessel in 1984. The future of
this Class which ware deployed at Hong
Kong was under review after the Colony
was returned to China.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS of
HMS
STARLING
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
24/04/43
|
01/05/43
|
HX
236
|
05/05/43
|
09/05/43
|
03/05/43
|
06/05/43
|
SL
128MK
|
14/05/43
|
14/05/43
|
17/05/43
|
22/05/43
|
ONS
008
|
25/05/43
|
01/06/43
|
19/05/43
|
27/05/43
|
HX
240
|
01/06/43
|
04/06/43
|
25/05/43
|
02/06/43
|
HX
241
|
06/06/43
|
10/06/43
|
22/09/43
|
30/09/43
|
HX
258
|
02/10/43
|
06/10/43
|
18/10/43
|
23/10/43
|
ON
207
|
25/10/43
|
04/11/43
|
18/10/43
|
28/10/43
|
HX
262
|
29/10/43
|
02/11/43
|
31/10/43
|
05/11/43
|
HX
264
|
08/11/43
|
17/11/43
|
24/11/43
|
27/11/43
|
SL
140MK
|
02/12/43
|
07/12/43
|
02/12/43
|
12/12/43
|
SC
148
|
12/12/43
|
16/12/43
|
02/12/43
|
12/12/43
|
HX
269
|
12/12/43
|
16/12/43
|
30/01/44
|
04/02/44
|
ON
222
|
05/02/44
|
16/02/44
|
02/02/44
|
07/02/44
|
SL
147MK
|
12/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
05/02/44
|
14/02/44
|
HX
278
|
17/02/44
|
20/02/44
|
14/02/44
|
18/02/44
|
ON
224
|
19/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
13/03/44
|
17/03/44
|
ONS
031
|
19/03/44
|
30/03/44
|
27/03/44
|
29/03/44
|
JW
058
|
04/04/44
|
04/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
07/04/44
|
RA
058
|
14/04/44
|
14/04/44
|
12/01/45
|
13/01/45
|
ONS
040
|
14/01/45
|
30/01/45
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)