Be cheaper to have one custom made!
Also I'm not convinced its 'original' there are several companies in the UK that have made these plaques for decades.
Furthermore I wonder what the come back is if it isn't Bronze!
Dear Guido,
Don't worry I'm convinced its a Dutcher!
I'm just not sure how two people have both been able to say its Evertson though.
Would there not have been 3 Dutch destroyers still operational by this time?
Filipe (aka Java Sea expert) can you clarify that point please.
Dick
I've been asked this a few times.
Honest answer I don't know for sure.
Someone posted earlier their intrepretation for the extra length on a leader was they saw it on the forecastle.
The information I have that goes along with that, is I read somewhere the forward messdecks on a leader were rearranged and possibly extended.
Thus this may account for the extra hull length there.
However my interpretation is also some of the extra length was put into the machinery spaces.
Leaders on the whole were slightly faster than 'normal' ships of the class, and this extra horsepower must be gotten from somewhere.
Ideally to solve this question I/We would need scale plans (preferably 'as fitteds') of a leader and a 'normal' destroyer in the same scale to compare against each other.
I only have 'as fitteds' of non-leaders unfortunately.
I'll double check through notes again and see if I can find a more definitive answer
Laurence Batchelor wrote:
However my interpretation is also some of the extra length was put into the machinery spaces.
Leaders on the whole were slightly faster than 'normal' ships of the class, and this extra horsepower must be gotten from somewhere.
Hi Larurence,
According to your figures, Exmouth was 6" wider and 14" longer. The increased "fineness ratio", by itself, might add the 1/2 knot, even without adding horsepower. Comparing photos, the forecastle extended back to the first funnel, and could make it look longer (because it was) without adding to the overall length. But that could also tend to disguise some of the additional overall length. I do notice more distance from the after superimposed gun to the mainmast in the Exmouth. So some extra length (officer accomodation) was probably there. No extra length in the machinery section is obvious from the photos.
Ah, ft (') not inches ("), and I agree that the fineness ratio would add something to the speed.
From some drawings of doubtful authenticity (might well be right) there appears to be a greater distance between the B gun and the bridge on a leader. This would give a longer forecastle even without a rearwards extension. There also seems to be a longer aft deckhouse - presumably greater officer accomodation - and perhaps even more length aft of the deckhouse to the stern. I'm not sure whether there was any greater distance between the funnels to improve the central gun position - if there was, it wasn't much. It does seem that although much of the increase is in the fo'csle the rest is spread thoughout the hull. Not a good answer for anyone bodging the Tamiya.
I forgot about the hull form dictating the extra speed, thank you chaps.
But I believe it was only a very small amount of the speed came from the improved hull form something like only 1/4 of a knt or 1/8th.
However looking at the trails data for the E-class I see actually Exmouth was the slowess, by some margin!
33.6knts from 37,793shp compared to the highest E of Eclipse at 37.561knts from 36,093shp.
Thats some variation! though of course Exmouth is some 200tons heavier and I don't know the wind and sea conditions.
With the extra flotilla officers onboard would a Leader not also need extra generating output for ventilation, electricity supply and also there would be a greater need for fresh water so more steam would have to be raised for distilling the water.
Would this not dictate more engineering machinery such as generators, dynamos etc therefore increasing the size of the machinery spaces?
Yes I agree leaders had a larger aft deckhouse and this was where most of the extra officer accomodation was sited.
For Keith for example the FL of the B-class I have recorded the following extras were required:
6 officers of Captain (D) staff
Lieut A/S
21 additional ratings
1 Surgeon-Lieut.
1 Gunner
1 Warrant Telegraphist
1 Schoolmaster
1 Sickbay rating
A second W/T office with remote control W/T office on upper bridge was also required.
Also on a leader smaller modifications were carried out which are not always easy to spot in photographs.
Sticking with Keith again for example:
Owing to the large number of signalmen required in a leader required the bridge wings to be extended further aft.
The Chart house and ships office were also enlarged.
For Exmouth I also read the Captains sea cabin in the bridge was repositioned port to starboard and not fore to aft.
This of course meant he could now look out over both sides of his ship and his flotilla!
Further data I have just found states the following which further backs up my idea that there was more weight in the machinery spaces.
Though I was wrong it was not for more SHP:
Weights:
Normal E class, Leader
Hull= 629, 731 tons
Machinery= 506, 550tons
Equipment= 107, 96 tons
As the above shows the most difference was in the hull.
There is some discussion in March on Exmouth whether to adopt in her 3 instead of 2 boiler rooms but it is unclear to me if this actually was carried out.
I think it likely though as this extra sub-division may have been desirable and this may account for some of the E class leaders increased length.
I would like to make a thank you to Laurence Batchelor, for all his hard work, and also say it wasn`t you that bit my head off! well done and thanks all the best Phil R
Laurence Batchelor wrote:Filipe (aka Java Sea expert) can you clarify that point please.
I'll come back to you tomorrow with some more information on this... I am currently engaged in "hard negotiations" with my own Mac computer!!!
The "expert" part is a bit overated from my point of view!!!!
"Build few and build fast,
Each one better than the last"
John Fisher
As with some of the other E-class I don't have many photos for you for Escort I'm afraid.
Here is what I can share with you and they are all pre-war views:
Information & Tabular Record of Movement (TROM) For HMS Escort H66
Background Information
HMS Escort was an "E" Class Fleet Destroyer ordered on 1st November 1932 from Sootts at Greenock under the 1931 Build Programme.
The ship was laid down on the 30th March 1932, the same day as her sister ship HMS ESCAPADE also built in this shipyard.
She was launched on 29th January 1934 as the fifth RN ship to carry the name Escort introduced for the French Prize ESCORTS and used only for minor warships since that date.
Build was completed on the 30th October 1934 for a cost of �249,587, excluding items supplied by the Admiralty such as guns and communications equipment.
Much of her service after 1935 was away from UK, although actually part of the Home Fleet.
She was detached in the Mediterranean and operated off the northern Spanish Coast during the Spanish Civil War.
Her Battle Honours
BELLISLE 1761
ATLANTIC 1939-40
NORTH SEA 1940
Her Heraldic Data
Badge: On a Field Green, a Yeoman of the Guard with partizan all Proper.
Ships Motto
Fidelitar: 'Faithfully'
War Service
1939
August
Deployed in Reserve Fleet for training duties.
September
Commissioned for operational service.
Joined 12th Destroyer Flotilla for convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol duty in the Atlantic and western Approaches.
3rd - Rescued survivors from SS ATHENIA with HM Destroyer ELECTRA.
October to November
Convoy defence and patrol in continuation.
December
Transferred to Rosyth for Anti-submarine defence of UK to Norway convoys.
Nominated for refit.
1940
January
Passage to Falmouth
10th - Taken in hand for refit at commercial shipyard in Falmouth.
February
12th - On completion resumed convoy duties in North Sea.
25th - Participated in sinking of U-63 with HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD, ESCAPADE and IMOGEN during escort of Convoy HN14 in position 56.40N 01.10W.
(Note: The U-boat had been sighted by HM Submarine NARWHAL and these destroyers carried out hunt for two hours before submarine surfaced. 24 of her crew were rescued.)
March
Convoy defence duty in North Sea in continuation.
April
Under repair by HM Dockyard, Rosyth.
Rejoined Home Fleet on completion.
11th - Under air attacks with Home Fleet units in North Sea.
Detached with HM Cruiser YORK and HM Destroyer HYPERION to stand by HM Destroyer ECLIPSE which had been disabled after bomb hit and was disabled.
Took damaged destroyer in tow to Sullom Voe.
25th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carriers ARK ROYAL and GLORIOUS in Norwegian waters during air operations in defence of Fleet units and support of military (Operation DX).
27th - Escorted HMS GLORIOUS to Scapa Flew to replenish aircraft.
May
Fleet and escort duties off Norway.
11th - Slightly damaged in collision with Polish Liner CHOBRY.
Deployed for Fleet escort at Scapa Flow.
June
Nominated for foreign service in Mediterranean with 12th Destroyer Flotilla.
26th - Passage to Gibraltar.
28th - Joined Force H on formation.
July
2nd - Arrived at Gibraltar and Joined Flotilla for duty with Force H.
Joined HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FOXHOUND, FEARLESS, FORESTER of 8th Destroyer Flotilla and HM destroyers KEPPEL, ACTIVE, WRESTLER. VIDEITE and VORTIGERN as screen for HM Battlecruiser HOOD, HM Battlesships VALIANT and RESOLUTION, HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL, HM Cruiser ARETHUSA and HM Cruiser ENTERPRISE for passage to Oran.
3rd - Present during bombardment of French warships at Mers-el Kebir after negotiation to determine future of French Fleet had failed. (Operation CATAPUL T)
6th - Joined HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FOXHOUND, FORESTER, WISHART,
VORTIGERN, VIDEITE, ACTIVE and VERSATILE to provide screen for HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS ARK ROYAL, HMS ARETHUSA and HMS ENTERPRISE during second series of air attacks on French battleship DUNKERQUE at Mers-el-Kebir (Operation LEVER).
8th - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FOXHOUND, FEARLESS, FORESTER, DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, VELOX, VORTIGERN and WRESTLER as destroyer screen for HMS HOOD, HMS VALIANT, HMS RESOLUTION, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, DELHI and ENTERPRISE for planned air attacks on Cagliari airfield in Sardinia (Operation MA5)
After heavy attacks by Italian aircraft operation cancelled and ships forced to return to Gibraltar since advantage of surprise had been lost.
During return passage Escort was torpedoed by Italian submarine GUGLIEMO MARCONI.
She was hit on the Starboard side between Boiler Rooms causing 20ft size hole and immediate extensive flooding.
Two of the ship's company were killed.
Damage control operations allowed HMS FORESTER to take the ship in tow.
HMS FAULKNOR stood by the two ships for passage.
10th - Towing operation in continuation and damage control still in hand.
11th - Sudden list of 34 degrees developed at 0610 and ship had to be abandoned.
Remainder of ship's company rescued before ship broke in two parts five hours later and sank.
EDIT: ALL IMAGE LINKS DELETED
Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Wed Sep 09, 2009 9:57 am, edited 1 time in total.
I think this is the last E-class making all 8 I've covered now.
HMS Escapade H17 I know will be one ship many shall wish to model as she was a very active ship and also once she gets her rebuild from self inflicted wounds she certainly presents some excellent visual differences.
HMS Escapade H17 Early Port Quarter photo of her with as built funnels
Later 1930s photo of her with aft funnel cut down
Escapade in and around Portsmouth
Escapade in Spanish Civil War Markings around 1937-38 at Devonport
Escapade badly damaged after her hedgehog projectiles prematurely exploded
As a result 15 killed, 1 died of wounds received and 9 were wounded.
(Note: Unusually the Hedgehog was fitted in 'B' & not 'A' position also 'A' mounting has flare projectors fitted).
One more final thing to note is her forward portholes by this 1943 date have started to be welded over with plates.
Stb. broadside view either shortly after early repairs were carried out or she may have infact had the Squid by this date and it was censored out, though strangly nothing else has as one can make out her radar and oerlikons
HMS Escapade H17 on 12th Feb 1945.
Note: These last 3 photographs show her late war modifiactions after her extensive repairs and refit.
She has Squid in 'A' position.
4.7" turret relocated back into 'B' position again with flare projectors.
She also has Type 277 radar on the bridge which is very unusual.
She continues to have R.D.F on the mast head and I believe I can see I.F.F. also halfway up her mast.
MF/DF aerial on bridge face.
HF/DF fitted on pole mast aft.
2 x 20mm Oerlikons on the bridge wings.
4 x 20mm Oerlikons can also be spotted amidships, 1 either side between funnels and 1 either side of the searchlight platform.
The searchlight has also been omitted.
Information & Tabular Record of Movement (TROM) For HMS Escapade H17
Background Information
HMS Escapade was an "E" Class destroyer ordered on 1st November 1932 from Scotts at Greenoock under the 1931 Build Programme.
The ship was laid down on 30th March 1933 at the same time as her sister ship HMS ESCORT also built in this shipyard.
She was launched on 30th January 1934 as the first RN ship to carry this name.
Build was completed on 30th August 1934 for a cost of �249,987, excluding the cost of equipment such as weapons, ammunition and communications outfits that were supplied by the Admiralty.
She was mainly deployed with the Home Fleet before September 1939, but did spend several periods on detached service in the Mediterranean between 1935 and March 1939.
After a successful WARSHIP WEEK campaign for National Savings in March 1942 she was "adopted" by the civil community of Stretford, Lancashire, now part of Greater Manchester.
Her Battle Honours
ATLANTIC 1939-45
NORWAY 1940
ARCTIC 1941-42
MALTA CONVOYS 1942
NORTH AFRICA 1942
Her Heraldic Data
Badge: On a Field Green a white Horse, saltant.
Ships Motto
Celeriter: "Swiftly".
Details of War Service
1939
August
3rd - Commissioned with Reservists ship's company for Royal Review of
15th - Reserve Fleet. Attended Review in Weymouth Bay.
September
Remained in commission and took passage to allocated war station.
Joined 12th Destroyer Flotilla for convoy defence in Western Approaches.
October
Deployed with Flotilla for convoy defence and anti-submarine patrol in Western Approaches.
November
Convoy defence and patrol in continuation.
5th - Carried out unsuccessful anti-submarine attack.
15th - Carried out further anti-submarine attack without success.
December
5th - Rescued survivors from SS NAVSOTA in position 50.34N 19.16W.
1940
January
Western Approaches convoy defence and patrol in continuation.
February
Redeployed at Scapa Flow for North Sea convoy defence duties,
24th - Escorted Convoy HN14 to Norway with HM Destroyers ESCORT, IMOGEN and INGLEFIELD.
25th - After warning of presence of submarine took part in anti-submarine operations with escort.
V63 was forced to surface whilst carrying out attack on HN14.
Submarine scuttled.
24 survivors were rescued by ships of the escort.
March
North Sea deployment in continuation.
April
Part of escort Home Fleet ships covering minelaying operation off Norway. as part of planned allied invasion (Operation WILFRED)
8th - After German invasion deployed for escort of military convoys and support of landing operations.
20th - Carried out search in Norwegian coastal waters with HM Destroyers JUPITER and FAULKNOR.
May
Support of shore operations and convoy defence in continuation.
Deployed for escort offmal evacuation convoys from Norway.
June
On release from convoy escort nominated for service at Gibraltar with Force H.
17th - Part of escort for HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL during passage to Gibraltar from Scapa Flow.
28th - Deployed with HMS ESCORT at Gibraltar.
July
Gibraltar deployment in continuation.
(Note: Did not take part in attack on French Fleet at Mers-el Kebir by ships of Force "H")
Nominated for return to Home Fleet duties.
Passage to rejoin Home Fleet.
(Note: Intended to join escort for HMS ARK ROYAL during passage to carry out air attacks on Bordeaux, but operation cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.)
August
On arrival at Scapa Flow deployed with 3rd Destroyer Flotilla for anti-invasion patrols and screening of Home Fleet major units.
21st - Escorted ships of 1st Minelaying Squadron with HM Destroyers INGLEFIELD, ECHO and ECLIPSE during second lay in Northern Barrage. (Operation SN2)
September
Nominated for support of planned landing by Free French forces at Dakar (Operation MENACE).
Part of escort for military convoy during passage.
Deployed with escort for HM Battleship BARHAM during the operations off West Africa.
October
Retained in West Africa after failure of Operation MENACE.
Nominated for escort of ships taking Free French expedition for landings at Duala, French Cameroons.
3rd - Passage to Duala with escort.
On release returned to Freetown for convoy defence duties.
November
Nominated for return to Home Fleet duties and took passage to rejoin 3rd Destroyer Flotilla at Scapa Flow.
December
Deployed with Flotilla at Scapa Flow for screening of Home Fleet major units and patrol in NW Approaches.
1941
January
Deployed with screen for Home Fleet units providing cover for the transit of Norwegian mercantiles on passage in North Sea after escaping from detention in Sweden (Operation RUBBLE).
February
Home Fleet screening duties in continuation including escort of HM Battleship NELSON during search in North Sea for German warships SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU which was unsuccessful.
March
Transferred to Western Approaches Command for escort of Atlantic convoys
April
Deployed for escort of Atlantic convoys including HX125.
May
Atlantic deployment in continuation based in Iceland.
Nominated for refit and took passage to Tyne.
Taken in hand for refit at a commercial shipyard.
June
Under refit. Warning radar fitted.
9th - Carried out post refit trials and on completion took passage to resume Home Fleet service with the 4th Destroyer Flotilla.
July
10th - Joined Flotilla at Scapa Flow.
30th - Part of escort for Home Fleet aircraft carriers during air attackon Petsamo and Kirkenes (Operation EF)
August
4th - Deployed with escort for HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES during Atlantic passage to Argentia, Newfoundland with Prime Minister Winston Churchill embarked for Atlantic Charter Meeting.
15th - Joined escort for HMS PRINCE OF WALES during the return passage from Argentia to Iceland.
31st - Deployed with HMS ECLIPSE and HMS INGLEFIELD as part of the screen for HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers DEVONSHIRE and SUFFOLK to provide for passage of HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and HM Cruiser SHROPSHIRE during passage to Archangel with aircraft and RAF personnel. (Operation STRENGTH).
September
Arctic deployment in continuation.
14th - Resumed Flotilla duties at Scapa Flow on return from Operation STRENGTH.
October
2nd - Joined escort for Russian Convoy PQI.
10th - Detached from PQI escort on arrival at Archangel and took independent return passage to Scapa Flow.
November
Deployed with Flotilla for Home Fleet screening and patrol duties.
December
12th - Joined Russian Convoy PQ6 with HM Cruiser EDINBURGH and HMS ECHO as Ocean Escort for passage to North Russia.
18th - Detached from PQ6 to carry out search for HM Minesweeper LEDA. Rejoined convoy after locating minesweeper.
(Note: HMS LEDA had been sent from Murrnansk to replace HM Minesweeper SPEEDY which had been damaged in action with German destroyers).
Escorted two mercantiles to Murrnansk with Ocean Escort and HMS SPEEDY.
20th - Under air attacks before arrival at Murrnansk.
Detached from PQ6 with Ocean Escort on arrival
1942
January
4th - Sailed from Murrnansk with HMS EDINBURGH.
5th - Joined return Convoy QP4 with HMS EDINBURGH and HMS ECHO as Ocean Escort
9th - Detached from QP4 with Ocean Escort after uninterrupted passage.
Encountered adverse weather conditions on passage to Scapa Flow.
10th - Resumed Flotilla duties on arrival.
February
Nominated for refit and took passage to Humber.
9th - Taken in hand at Immingham commercial shipyard.
March
10th - On completion of post refit trials took passage to rejoin Flotilla for Home Fleet duties at Scapa Flow.
20th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, ECHO, ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, FORESIGHT, ICARUS, INGLEFIELD, LEDBURY, MARNE, MIDDLETON, ONSLOW, PUNJABI, TARTAR and WHEATLAND as screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V, DUKE OF YORK, HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Aircraft Carrier VICTORIOUS,
HM Cruisers NIGERIA and KENT to provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ13 and return Convoy QP9.
April
3rd - Resumed Home Fleet Flotilla duties on release from Distant Cover screen.
Escorted Norwegian trawler LIND to Methyl.
(Note: This trawler had escaped from detention in Sweden.)
8th - Deployed with HM Destroyers BELVOIR, BEDOUIN, ESKIMO, FAULKNOR, LEDBURY, MATCHLESS, MIDDLETON, OFFA, ONSLOW, SOMALI and WHEATLAND as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS DUKE OF YORK, HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruisers KENT and NIGERIA to provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ 14 and return Convoy QP10.
26th - Deployed with HM Destroyers BELVOIR, FAULKNOR, HURSLEY, INGLEFlELD, LAMERTON, MARNE, MARTIN, MIDDLETON, ORIBI, PUNJABI, US destroyers USS MADISON, USS PLUNKETT, USS WAINWRIGHT and USS WILSON as screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, US battleship USS WASHINGTON, HMS VICTORIOUS, HM Cruiser KENYA, US cruisers USS WITCHITA and USS TUSCALOOSA to provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy PQ15 and return Convoy QP11.
May
1st - HMS PUNJABI sank after collision with HMS KING GEORGE V which sustained major damage to bow structure and had to be replaced by HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK.
13th - Deployed with screen for Home Fleet major units which were providing cover for return passage of damaged HM Cruiser TRINIDAD.
15th - Under air attacks during which HMS TRINIDAD was sunk.
21st - Deployed with HMS INGLEFlELD, HM Norwegian destroyer ST ALBANS, HM Destroyer BOADICEA, HM Fleet Minesweeper HARRIER and four trawlers as escort for return Convoy QP12.
Cover was also provided by Home Fleet units.
June
Nominated for detached duty in support of Malta relief convoy (Operation HARPOON)
5th - Transferred to 5th Destroyer Flotilla for HARPOON.
Joined Escort for military convoy WS19Z with HM Destroyers BADSWORTH, BEDOUIN, BLANKNEY, ICARUS, MARNE, MATCHLESS, MIDDLETON, ONSLOW and Polish destroyer KUJAWIAK for
passage to Gibraltar.
12th - Part of Force "W" as screen for HM Battleship MALAYA, HM Aircraft Carrier EAGLE, HM Cruisers KENYA, LIVERPOOL and CHARYBDIS with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, ICARUS, WISHART, WESTCOTT, WRESTLER, VIDETIE and ANTELOPE during passage in Western Mediterranean to the Sicilian Narrows.
14th - Under air attacks.
Detached with Force "W" and returned to Gibraltar.
18th - Passage to UK as part of escort for HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS.
July
Joined HM Destroyers ASHANTI, BLANKNEY, FAULKNOR, MARNE, MARTIN, MIDDLETON, ONSLOW, ONSLAUGHT and WHEATLAND as screen for major units of Home Fleet providing Distant Cover for the passage of Russian Convoy PQ17 and returning QP13.
(Note: Major units deployed included HM Battleship DUKE OF YORK, US Battleship USS WASHINGTON, HM Cruisers NIGERIA and CUMBERLAND.)
4th - Convoy PQ 17 scattered by Admiralty orders in belief of threat of imminent attack by German battleship TIRPITZ.
July
10th - Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet.
20th - Taken in hand for refit by commercial shipyard in Liverpool.
August
Under refit.
24th - On completion of post refit trials rejoined Flotilla in Home Fleet.
October
Detached for special duties.
Embarked Free French General Le Clercc for passage to French Carneroons and provided cover during landings.
Resumed Flotilla duties with Home Fleet on release.
20th - Escorted HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS to Gibraltar.
Nominated for escort of military convoys to Gibraltar in preparation for the planned allied landings in North Africa (Operation TORCH).
November
Deployed at Gibraltar.
Escorted military convoys MKF1 and MKF2 during Atlantic passage to Gibraltar for TORCH landings.
On release from TORCH deployed as part of escort for return military convoy MKF1 to Greenock.
19th - Detached from MKF1 on arrival at Greenock and resumed Home Fleet duty.
27th - Taken in hand for repair at Thames commercial shipyard.
December
29th - On completion of post repair trials resumed Flotilla duties in Home Fleet.
1943
January
Nominated for detached service with 3rd Escort Group (B3) in Western Approaches for Atlantic convoy defence.
Joined HM Destroyer HARVESTER, Polish destroyers ORP GARLAND and BURZA, Free French Corvettes ACONTT, ROSELYS, RENONCULE and HM Corvette NARCISSUS in B3 Escort Group.
Part of escort for Convoys ONS157 and return Convoy SC117 with Escort Group B3.
February
Joined Convoy ON167 as escort with ships of Group.
21st - Convoy sighted by U-Boat of BURFGRAF Group.
22nd - Carried out counter attacks on U-Boats of combined BURGRAF and STURMBOCK Groups.
(Note: Two mercantiles were sunk by U664 during the attacks.)
March
6th - Joined return Convoy HX228 with HMS HARVESTER, ORP GARLAND, ORP BURZA, HM Corvettes NARCISSUS, Free French ACONIT, ROSELYS and RENONCULE as escort during eastward Atlantic passage.
7th - US Escort Aircraft Carrier BOGUE and screen of two US Navy destroyers which had escorted HX228 to meeting point detached.
(Note: This proved to be a most unfortunate occurrance)
10th - HX228 sighted by U336 of NEULAND U-Boat Group.
Convoy subjected to attacks by NEULAND U-boat Group
11th - HMS HARVESTER was sunk by U432 after ramming U444 which was later sunk by FS ACONIT .
Escapade embarked Commander MJ Evans, RN as Senior Officer B3 on return to UK.
(Note: Previous Senior Officer, Commander AA Tait, RN had lost his life in HMS HARVESTER.
Took part in exercises with Group before joining westward Convoy ON174 as escort with Group which also included HM Corvette AZALEA.
April
Detached from ON174 on arrival of Local Escort and took passage to St Johns, Newfoundland.
No ships in ON174 were lost.
6th - Joined return Convoy HX232 with Group for escort back to the UK.
11th - Warned of U-Boat Group concentration for attacks by Admiralty. 12th - Under attacks by LERCHE U-Boat Group.
(Note :Four mercantiles were lost during passage.)
May
Deployed as escort for Convoy ON181 with ships of Group which arrived without loss.
Relieved as Senior Officer's ship by HM Destroyer KEPPEL.
19th - Escorted return Convoy HX239 with HMS KEPPEL, HM Frigate TOWY, HM Corvettes ORCHIS, NARCISSUS, Free French RENONCULE, ROSELYS and LOBELIA.
(Note: Air cover for HX239 was provided by HM Escort Aircraft Carrier ARCHER, part of 4th Support Group).
Diverted away from threat of attacks by MOSEL U-Boat Group.
23rd - Under threat of attack by U752 whose radio transmissions had enabled its bearing to be determined from HF/DF.
(Note: U752 was attacked by an aircraft from HMS ARCHER and on approach of HMS KEPPEL scuttled.
June
3rd - Taken in hand for refit by commercial shipyard at Cardiff.
(Note: HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine mortar was fitted forward in place of "B" Gun mounting)
July to August
Under refit
September
5th - On completion of post refit trials carried out brief work-up before resuming Atlantic convoy defence with Group.
Part of escort for merged outward Convoys ONS18 and ON20 with HMS KEPPEL, HMS TOWY, HM Corvettes ORCHIS, NARCISSUS, French ROSELYS, LOBELIA and FS RENONCULE of B3 Group.
(Note: Other Escorts were HM Destroyers GATINEAU (RCN), ICARUS, HM Frigate LAGAN, three corvettes, a Trawler of 2nd Canadian Escort Group and HM Destroyer ST CROIX (RCN)
19th - Merged convoy sighted by U270 of LEUTHEN U-Boat Group.
20th - Sustained major structural damage after premature explosion of a hedgehog mortar bombs during attacks in defence of merged convoy.
Casualties included 16 dead and nine injured.
Withdrawn from escort and took passage to Clyde.
(Note: Of the 85 mercantiles in the convoy six were sunk for the loss of four warships).
25th - Passage to Portsmouth for repair.
27th - Taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard.
October to December
Under repair and refit at Portsmouth
1944
January
to November
Still under major repair and refit.
(Note: The opportunity was taken to fit the newly developed SQUID Anti-submarine mortar and the new design Type 277 radar.
Nominated for service in 8th Escort Group once refit completed.
December
30th - Refit work was completed.
1945
January
Post refit trials including first fit of SQUID Mortar.
February
On completion of work-up for operational service joined Group.
Deployed for convoy defence and anti-submarine operations in UK coastal waters.
(Note: During this period U-Boats were concentrating attacks on convoy focal points and coastal shipping).
Atlantic convoys were re-routed through the English Channel after air attack threat from French bases had been removed.
March to April
Coastal convoy defence with Group in continuation.
May
Part of escort for Convoy RN1 taking Norwegian personnel back to Oslo.
June
Joined 1st Training Flotilla for anti-submarine training duties.
July to August
Training duties with Flotilla in continuation.
Post War Service
HMS ESCAPADE remained in service with the Flotilla until 1946 when she Paid off and was reduced to Reserve status.
On 26th November 1946 she was placed on the Disposal List and sold to BISCO on 17th May 1947.
The ship arrived at Grangemouth in tow on 3rd August 1947 for demolition by G W Brunton.
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Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:05 am, edited 4 times in total.
Finally after going through tons of stuff I've managed to find a good close up of a Bofors gun on a Royal Navy warship.
I believe this is around D-day time so I doubt its precisely the same as the Mk.3 Bofors that might have been fitted to Electra, but still this could be of some use:
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Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:10 am, edited 1 time in total.
OK folks, a change of pace here. Does anyone know the colors of the decks of E class destroyers? I assume the main color was AP507A (dark grey), but was any corticene (a milk chocolate brown) used on the decks?
In terms of when the A-I's were built in the late 20s early 30s I would say yes corticene was fitted to them.
It seems to have been replaced by Semtex from the I-class 1937 onwards on new construction.
However during WW2 I've found no documentary information on the subject......yet!
There is the following colour photo in the IWM from 1942 (when a series of colour photos were taken on RN warships) showing it present on a V/W still by that
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Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Wed Sep 09, 2009 10:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
I've unearthed a copyrighted mid-war wartime photo of Eclipse in Northern waters.
It appears she was painted in a Western Approaches type scheme, but the photo of her is taken at speed and the camouflage is poorly defined, though her whole equipment fit can be made out.
I believe the photo is reproduced in Destroyers At War by Gregory Haines.
I have a suspicion that the photo captioned "HMS Exmouth FL In wartime showing some of her A an A's:" (page 6 of this thread) is miscaptioned. The photo shows a 5-gun leader with tripod foremast, cut-down after funnel and a stump mainmast - I'm not aware of these changes being made before the Norwegian campaign, and the only 5-gun ships afloat after that were FAULKNOR (which had a pole foremast) and INGLEFIELD (which had a tripod). I've seen another copy of the said photo which shows the masthead, with a cross-shaped RDF aerial (later-type 286 or 291), captioned "HMS INGLEFIELD". My money is therefore on INGLEFIELD.
