This photo of Gatineau was taken 1944 or 45.
On Electra, 20mm if fitted would probaly have been done at Columbo.
If a single bofors was fitted, this would have been done (probably, at Singapore. Would have meant that the mainmast be moved from the aft end to the fore end of the searchlight platform to allow the bofors to be placed at the aft end of the platform in lieu of the searchlight.
How is your FIRST aricle coming?
Calling all Royal Navy E-class fans
Moderators: BB62vet, MartinJQuinn, Timmy C, Gernot, Olaf Held, Dan K, HMAS, ModelMonkey
-
ar
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
Already been there and alot I had, but thanks all the same.
Some where excellent that I didn't have.
My RN WW2 database currently sits at 8,300 photos.
I would not be exaggerating when I say I should have at least 1 photo of every destroyer.
In terms of a Bofors my thinking must be wrong then.
I was under the impression it was a much larger mount which could not have been fitted onto a small platform like the searchlight platform.
Your description suggests it could be fitted onto the searchlight platform and the searchlight and Bofors not impede each other.
With merely the small dockyard task of relocating the mainmast.
It would be one of those small pokey jigger masts but this time anyway no?
As the tripod would have been landed in the 1940 refit due to the shipping of the 3-inch HA gun.
Thus would it not already be cited on the fore end of the searchlight platform as it would have obstructed the firing arc from the 3-inch if it was further aft?
First Article I am writing now, my university has told me to take 1 week off from my degree as they can see it is consuming me.
Not being an idle bugger I can't sit around the house all day so trying to write something small and snappy.
Some where excellent that I didn't have.
My RN WW2 database currently sits at 8,300 photos.
I would not be exaggerating when I say I should have at least 1 photo of every destroyer.
In terms of a Bofors my thinking must be wrong then.
I was under the impression it was a much larger mount which could not have been fitted onto a small platform like the searchlight platform.
Your description suggests it could be fitted onto the searchlight platform and the searchlight and Bofors not impede each other.
With merely the small dockyard task of relocating the mainmast.
It would be one of those small pokey jigger masts but this time anyway no?
As the tripod would have been landed in the 1940 refit due to the shipping of the 3-inch HA gun.
Thus would it not already be cited on the fore end of the searchlight platform as it would have obstructed the firing arc from the 3-inch if it was further aft?
First Article I am writing now, my university has told me to take 1 week off from my degree as they can see it is consuming me.
Not being an idle bugger I can't sit around the house all day so trying to write something small and snappy.
Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Tue Aug 21, 2007 4:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
phil reeder
40mm bofors gun
Please refer to page 386 of "British Cruisers of ww2"by Raven & Roberts, it protrays an excellent shot of a 40mm on "B" turret on HMS Manchester in 1942, also think there was one on "X" turret as well. cheers phil
-
ar
Look at the photo of the Electra and you will see that the mainmast is at the aft end of the sdearchlight platform.
Remove searchlight; replace with bofor; move maimast to fore end of plaform.
Working area of bofor is not much bigger than a single 20mm. The biggest difference is that of the length of the gun and in this position it does not matter; sky arcs would be very good. The weight of a single bofor gun and mount is greater than for the searchlight, but from what I know there should not be a problem having the mount in this position.
Someone, somewhere at sometime took a photo of the ship after these mods were done, assuming of course that there were done.
It's good to hear that you are writing. Four or five thousand words is all you will need for the first article. Should not take you more than two or three days.
A shore piece on damge to destroyers at Dunkirk would go down well, and I don't think it's ever been covered?
Remove searchlight; replace with bofor; move maimast to fore end of plaform.
Working area of bofor is not much bigger than a single 20mm. The biggest difference is that of the length of the gun and in this position it does not matter; sky arcs would be very good. The weight of a single bofor gun and mount is greater than for the searchlight, but from what I know there should not be a problem having the mount in this position.
Someone, somewhere at sometime took a photo of the ship after these mods were done, assuming of course that there were done.
It's good to hear that you are writing. Four or five thousand words is all you will need for the first article. Should not take you more than two or three days.
A shore piece on damge to destroyers at Dunkirk would go down well, and I don't think it's ever been covered?
Laurence Batchelor wrote:Already been there and alot I had, but thanks all the same.
Some where excellent that I didn't have.
My RN WW2 database currently sits at 8,300 photos.
I would not be exaggerating when I say I should have at least 1 photo of every destroyer.
In terms of a Bofors my thinking must be wrong then.
I was under the impression it was a much large mount, which could not have been fitted onto a small platform like the searchlight platform.
Your description suggests it could be fitted onto the searchlight platform and the searchlight and Bofors not impede each other.
With merely the small dockyard task of relocating the mainmast.
It would be one of those small pokey jigger masts but this time anyway no?
As the tripod would have been landed in the 1940 refit due to the shipping of the 3-inch HA gun.
Thus would it not already be cited on the fore end of the searchlight platform as it would have obstructed the firing arc from the 3-inch if it was further aft?
First Article I am writing now, my university has told me to take 1 week off from my degree as they can see it is consuming me.
Not being an idle bugger I can't sit around the house all day so trying to write something small and snappy.
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
4-inch HA went on the J,K,N's etc
Older destroyers A-I's generally got a 3-inch HA.
These mountings were WWI in origin and probably knocking around as spares in some RN storage depot.
Thus after Norway and Dunkirk highlighting the major vunerability of the Royal Navy's destroyers to dive bombing, where even a near miss could be deadly, an emergency measure was to fit these mountings to at least offer some sort of AA protection against the threat.
Of course it meant most RN destroyers were hampered from 1940-onwards with weak torpedo armaments.
Shame really as a lot of the pratice for mass flotilla torpedo attacks carried out by them during the 1930s was wasted.
Older destroyers A-I's generally got a 3-inch HA.
These mountings were WWI in origin and probably knocking around as spares in some RN storage depot.
Thus after Norway and Dunkirk highlighting the major vunerability of the Royal Navy's destroyers to dive bombing, where even a near miss could be deadly, an emergency measure was to fit these mountings to at least offer some sort of AA protection against the threat.
Of course it meant most RN destroyers were hampered from 1940-onwards with weak torpedo armaments.
Shame really as a lot of the pratice for mass flotilla torpedo attacks carried out by them during the 1930s was wasted.
Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Tue Jul 24, 2007 8:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
Cheers Phil, book in hand now!
I see them on B & X turrets in the May 1942 photos.
God they look much smaller that I'd thought.
In the back of the book Raven & Roberts state 1 mounting was fitted to Manchester in her 16th Jan 1941-29th Mar 1941 refit.
"one single Bofors MkIII fitted"
Would it be this type fitted to Electra in 1941?
To recap the first mention from her gunnery officer is a Bofors was in use at the time of the sinking of Force Z, so Dec 1941.
One assumes the Manchester photos show the 2 single Army Bofors fitted for Pedestal?
How does the above 2 mountings differ please?
Is there a photo you can point me too of the MkIII type?
I have a distant aerial view of PoW's quarterdeck in 1941 is that the earlier mounting?
I see them on B & X turrets in the May 1942 photos.
God they look much smaller that I'd thought.
In the back of the book Raven & Roberts state 1 mounting was fitted to Manchester in her 16th Jan 1941-29th Mar 1941 refit.
"one single Bofors MkIII fitted"
Would it be this type fitted to Electra in 1941?
To recap the first mention from her gunnery officer is a Bofors was in use at the time of the sinking of Force Z, so Dec 1941.
One assumes the Manchester photos show the 2 single Army Bofors fitted for Pedestal?
How does the above 2 mountings differ please?
Is there a photo you can point me too of the MkIII type?
I have a distant aerial view of PoW's quarterdeck in 1941 is that the earlier mounting?
Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Mon Jun 25, 2007 12:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
ar
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
Pulling that off my shelves now.
I am writing something closer to my family ties at present.
Drawings the plans will be tricky.
I have quite a few of the damage reports for Destroyers at Dunkirk, with many unpublished photos, plans of the damage etc etc.
But I wasn't able to get all that I know is there in the PRO.
It appears at this early period in the war the Admiralty was very detailed in their damage reports, thus there's alot on Dunkirk destroyers.
I am writing something closer to my family ties at present.
Drawings the plans will be tricky.
I have quite a few of the damage reports for Destroyers at Dunkirk, with many unpublished photos, plans of the damage etc etc.
But I wasn't able to get all that I know is there in the PRO.
It appears at this early period in the war the Admiralty was very detailed in their damage reports, thus there's alot on Dunkirk destroyers.
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
-
Dick
-
ar
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
-
ar
NO more searchlight!
Admiralty would almost certainly NOT be aware of these changes.
AA more important than searchlight.
Admiralty would almost certainly NOT be aware of these changes.
AA more important than searchlight.
Laurence Batchelor wrote:I wasn't going off point, just trying to make clear.
So where is the searchlight relocated to please?
Or are you saying to me it was omitted altogether.
If so, what was the Admiralty's take now operationally on night actions!
-
Filipe Ramires
- Posts: 1185
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:56 pm
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
So who instigated these AA changes then, on the spot Commanders in Columbo or Singapore?ar wrote:NO more searchlight!
Admiralty would almost certainly NOT be aware of these changes.
AA more important than searchlight.
Or in Force Z's case was it Philip's perhaps?
Is it still manned against the mosquitos?Filipe Ramires wrote:Just saw recently one of those 3'' HA guns here in Portugal when passing nearby the Naval Academy. I believe we still have one in the Navy Museum also.
-
Filipe Ramires
- Posts: 1185
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 5:56 pm
- Location: Lisbon, Portugal
-
Laurence Batchelor
- Posts: 1376
- Joined: Sun Jan 23, 2005 6:20 am
- Location: Warwickshire, England
Damn! Portuguese wine always welcome here in the rain swept Midlands! 
Right then time to finish off Encounter
Information & Tabular Record of Movement (TROM) For HMS Encounter H10
HMS ENCOUNTER was an "E" Class Fleet Destroyer ordered on 1st November 1932 from Hawthorn Leslie, Newcastle under the 1931 Build Programme.
The ship was laid down on 15th March 1933, the same day as her sister ship HMS ELECTRA also built in this shipyard. She was launched on 29th March 1934 as the fifth RN ship to carry the name introduced for a Gun Brig in 1805 and last used for a 1902 cruiser transferred to the RAN and hulked in 1929.
Build was completed on 2nd November 1934 for a cost of �252,250 excluding the items supplied by the Admiralty such as guns and communications equipment.
Her peace-time service including no less than 3 collisions and foreign service in the Mediterranean. This destroyer carried out non-intervention patrol during the Spanish Civil War.
Although intended to transfer to Reserve in 1939 she remained in commission with a crew of Reservists.
Her Battle Honours
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1806
BASQUE ROADS 1809
CHINA 1856-60
PBI-HO FORTS 1859
ASHANTEE 1873-74
ATLANTIC 1939
NORWAY 1940
SPARTIVENTO 1940
LIBYA 1941
MALTA CONVOYS 1941
MEDITERRANEAN 1941
Her Heraldic Data
Nadge : On a Field Green, two rapiers crossed Silver
Her Moto
Acta non verba: 'Deeds not words'
War Service
1939
August
Retained for service instead of refitting.
Reservists joined.
War Station allocated as 12th Destroyer Flotilla based at Portland.
28th - Attended Review of Reserve Fleet by HM King George VI in Weymouth Bay.
September
Deployed for escort and patrol in SW Approaches and took up War Station.
Based at Milford Haven for convoy defence.
October
SW Approaches deployment in continuation.
Sustained weather damge and taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard Devonport.
November
On completion of dockyard work took passage to Scapa Flow for duties with Home Fleet.
December
Deployed at Scapa Flow for convoy defence and anti-submarine duties in North Sea and NW Approaches.
1940
January - Scapa Flow deployment in continuation.
February
18th - Joined escort of Convoy HN2 with HM Destroyer BRAZEN in place of HM Destroyer DARING which had been torpedoed and sunk by U23.
March
Transferred to Rosyth for North Sea convoy defence.
Nominated for support ofminelaying operation off Norway.
April
4th - Escorted tanker BRITISH LADY with HM Destroyer GRENADE to Skaelfjord, Norway to support ships deployed for mine laying
(Operation WILFRED)
12th - On completion deployed with Home Fleet units for support of allied landings in Norway.
24th - Took part in bombardment of Narvik with HM Battleship WARSPITE and cruisers.
Escorted Carrier Group engaged in provision of air support for Norwegian military campaign (Operation DX).
May
Home Fleet duties off Norway including escort of HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.
Passage to Rosyth for routine docking.
June
Provided anti-submarine defence with HM Destroyer MASHONA for ships recovering equipment from the wreck of HM Boom Carrier ASTRONOMER lost off Kinnaird Head.
On completion deployed with HM Destroyer ESCORT in an unsuccessful search for a U-Boat reported by an RAF aircraft.
Sustained damage by grounding and took passage to Sheemess.
20th - Taken in hand for repair and refit at Sheemess.
(Note: Deguassing equipment was fitted at this time)
July
Under refit
Nominated for service with 13th Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar.
19th - Carried out post refit trials.
20th - Escorted troopships ss REINA DEL PACIFICO and ss CLAN FERGUSON to Gibraltar.
21st - Detached to assist Norwegian KOLLSKEGG which was on fire.
24th - Met with HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and joined escort for passage for Gibraltar
30th - Joined Flotilla at Gibraltar and detached for duty with Force H
31st - Escorted HMS ARGUS during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation HURRY).
(Note: Deployed as part of ARGUS Group with HM Destroyers GALLANT GREYHOUND and HOTSPUR.
Other ships in screen were HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GALLANT and VELOX.
Joined ships of Force "H" which were providing cover.
August
1st - Detached as screen for HM Battleship VALIANT and HMS ARGUS during aircraft delivery with HM Destroyers HOTSPUR, GREYHOUND, GALLANT, ESCAPADE and VELOX.
2nd - After launch of aircraft from HMS ARGUS rejoined by ships of Force "H" which were covering air attack on Cagliari, Sardinia by aircraft from HMS ARK ROYAL (Operation CRUSH)
4th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force "H" ships.
8th - Returned to Gibraltar with HMS ARGUS on completion of Operation HURRY
30th - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT and FORESTER as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD providing cover for passage of reinforcement warships for service at Alexandria (Operation HATS)
September
3rd - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H ships.
5th - Deployed with screen for HMS RENOWN during unsuccessful serach for Vichy French warships on passage from Toulon to enter the Atlantic.
October
Deployment at Gibraltar for anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort in continuation.
During this deployment rammed HM Submarine UTMOST off Cape St Vincent in error for a U-Boat.
(Note: HMS UTMOST was able to reach Gibraltar and was taken in hand for repair. It may be assumed that damage to this ship was incurred but this was completed before transfer to Force H).
November
Detached for duty with Force H.
7th - Joined Force F with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORTUNE AND GRIFFIN for screening of HM Battleship BARHAM, HM Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW during transt in western Mediterranean to the Sicilian narrows (Operation COAT)
(Note: These ships and HM Destroyers GALLANT, GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN were on passage to join the Mediterranean Fleet based at Alexandria as re-inforcements).
Detached from Force F and returned to Gibraltar for repair.
(Note: One source records the damage was caused by ramming HM Submarine UTMOST during screening duty with Force H for Operation COAT).
9th - Under repair to structural damage.
25th - Rejoined Flotilla on completion for duty with Force H.
Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE, FORESTER, FURY, KELVIN, JAGUAR and WISHART in Force B as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers SHEFFIELD and DESPATCH to cover passage of convoy taking troops and stores to Malta
(Operation COLLAR - This was a major operation and covered transfer of HM Cruisers MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON to join the Fleet at Alexandria.)
27th - Present at the brief engagement between Force H warships and an Italian force of two battleships, seven cruisers and 16 destroyers which withdrew after an exchange of fire.
(Battle of Cape Spartivento).
29th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H ships.
December
Deployed for convoy defence duties at Gibraltar.
19th - Detached for duty with Force H.
20th - Joined Group H with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ISIS, WISHART and JAGUAR and took passage to Sicilian Narrows to relieve Mediterranean Fleet escort for passage of HM Battleship MALAYA and Convoy MG1 in Western Mediterranean. (Operation HIDE).
21st - Relieved HM Destroyers HYPERION, ILEX and JERVIS.
(Note: HM Destroyer HYPERION, one of the escorts from Alexandria later struck a mine whilst on return passage and had to be sunk).
24th - Arrived at Gibraltar with HMS MALAYA and MG 1. (Note :Passage was also covered by ships of Force H.)
1941
January
Deployed with Flotilla for convoy defence.
Joined escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS during passage to Freetown and to Takoradi for delivery of aircraft destined for Middle East.
February
Detached for duty with Force H
6th - Joined Group 2 with HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FOXHOUND, FORESIGHT, FURY and JERSEY for screening of HMS RENOWN, HMS MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD during bombardment of Genoa (Operation GROG).
(Note This operation had been planned as Operation RESULT but cancelled in January).
9th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H.
Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean Fleet in Alexandria.
February
24th - Took passage with HM Destroyer ISIS to Aden via Cape of Good Hope.
(Note: During this period deployed as part of convoy escort)
March
On arrival at Aden deployed temporarily for convoy defence at Aden.
April
Passage from Aden to Suez on release.
12th - Joined Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria.
18th - Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, JAGUAR and JUNO for screening of HM Battleships WARSPITE, BARHAM and VALIANT. HM Cruisers AJAX, ORlON, CALCUTTA, GLOUCESTER, PHOEBE and HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS.
(Operation MD3 - Bombardment of Tripoli and cover for transit of HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE to Malta.)
19th - Refuelled in Suda Bay, Crete with destroyers of screen.
20th - Detached to join HMS BRECONSHIRE as escort for passage to Malta. (Note: Did not remain with Fleet for Tobruk bombardment).
21st - Arrived in Malta with HMS BRECONSHIRE.
Taken in hand for repairs and docking by HM Dockyard Malta.
29th - Damaged by near miss during air raid whilst in No 2 Dock.
30th - Hit by bomb during another air raid and sustained major structural damage.
May
Under refit and repair.
16th - Second direct hit with internal explosion caused further major damage.
(Note: All three Boiler Rooms and cruising turbines required extensive repair).
June
Refit and repair in continuation.
July
Completion of repair arranged to be carried out at Gibraltar.
Prepared for passage as part of escort for Convoy MG I
24th - Passage through Sicilian Narrows.
25th - Joined Convoy M31 as escort for transit to Gibraltar.
(Note: Passage of this westbound convoy from Malta was part of the major Operation SUBSTANCE to pass a relief convoy eastwards to Malta also.)
Under air attack SW of Sardinia when one merchantile was damaged.
26th - Arrived at Gibraltar with five of the ships of Convoy MG 1.
31st - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, FOXHOUND, COSSACK, MAORI, NESTOR (RAN) and ERIDGE as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Battleship NELSON and HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL to provide cover for passage of HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, HERMIONE and MANXMAN taking personnel and stores to Malta. (Operation STYLE)
August
3rd - Remained with Force H off Bone untill cruisers and escorts returned from Malta.
Allocated with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, SIKH and FORESTER to Group I as screen for HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser HERMIONE during return passage to Gibraltar.
4th - Returned to Gibraltar with Group I
Nominated for service at Singapore.
10th - Resumed convoy defence and joined escort for Convoy HG70 during passage from Gibraltar to UK with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, AVON VALE, NESTOR (RAN) and HM Sloop DEPTFORD.
13th - Took part in anti submarine operations with escort.
Returned to Gibraltar to resume Force "H" duties.
21st - Deployed with HM Destroyers NESTOR(RAN), FURY, FORESIGHT, and FORESTER as screen for HM Battleship NELSON, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser HERMIONE to provide cover for mine lay by HMS MANXMAN off Livorno, passage of the mercantiles SS DURHAM and SS DEUCALION to Malta without close escort and to take part in demonstration off Valencia (Operation MINCEMEAT).
26th - On return to Gibraltar with ships of Force "H" detached and took passage to UK to join escort for military convoy.
31st - Joined military convoy WS 11 as Ocean Escort with HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Destroyer NESTOR in Clyde for pasage to Freetown.
September
4th - Joined WS 11 FAST Section when convoy divided as Ocean Escort to Freetown.
13th - Detached from WS 11 FAST on arrival.
18th - Joined military convoy WS11 SLOW on departure from Freetown.
21st - Detached from WSll SLOW
25th - Took independent passage to Aden.
October
Passage in Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
16th - On arrival at Alexandria joined Inshore Squadron for defence of Tobruk convoys.
25th - Rescued survivors from HM Minelaying Cruiser LATONA off Tobruk.
(Note: HMS LATONA had been set on fire during air attacks and blew up when flames reached the after magazine.
One source records that this destroyer sank the hulk of HMS LATTONA.)
November
Inshore Squadron convoy defence in continuation.
14th - Transferred to Eastern Fleet.
15th - Took passage with HM Destroyer JUPITER to join HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES at Colombo.
28th - Arrived at Colombo.
29th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ELECTRA, EXPRESS and JUPITER as screen for HMS PRINCE OF WALES during passage to Singapore as Force "Z".
30th - HM Battlecruiser REPULSE joined Force"Z" from Trincomalee.
December
3rd - After arrival at Singapore taken in hand for docking to renew propeller bush.
13th - Undocked and deployed for Local-convoy defence.
(Note: Did not sail on 8th December with Force "Z" ships for attack on Japanese invasion ships off Malaya during which HMS PRINCE OF WALES and HMS REPULSE were sunk.
1942
January
Deployed for convoy defence with HM Destroyers JUPITER and VAMPIRE (RAN).
10th - Joined Convoy DM1 on passage from Addu Atoll to reinforce escort during passage to Singapore.
(Note: Escort comprised HM Cruisers DURBAN. EXETER and HM Sloop JUMNA (RIN)).
13th - Detached from DM1 on arrival at Singapore.
Passage to Batavia as escort for convoy.
Taken in hand for boiler cleaning at Batavia.
On completion resumed convoy defence and returned to Singapore.
20th - Joined 7th Destroyer Flotilla in Western Striking Force based at Tangjong Priok for defence of western approaches to East Indies.
February
6th - Deployed for tow of HMS ISIS to Java but tow wire fouled in propeller and was taken over by HM Destroyer ELECTRA during passage.
When both engines were available resumed service with Western Striking Force for interception of invasion craft cover of convoys to and for evacuation from Singapore.
(Note: Garrison surrendered on the 11th.)
25th - Transferred to ABDA Force based at Sourabaya for defence of eastern approaches to Java.
Joined in search for invasion convoys.
(Note: This deployment included escort of rms ORCADES carrying Australian troops, RAF personnel, stores and refugees from Padang to Batavia.)
26th - At Tanjong Prior during air raid and sailed wih HM Cruisers EXETER and PERTH (RAN) with HMS ELECTRA AND HMS JUPITER.
27th - Part of escort for Dutch cruisers DE RUYTER and JAVA, HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN), EXETER, PERTH and US cruiser USS HOUSTON with HM Destroyers ELECTRA, JUPITER, and both Dutch and US Navy destroyers.
Engaged IJN cruiser JINTSU with other ships but target was out of effective range.
Withdrew under fire with HM Destroyer ELECTRA to make further attack.
Returned to rejoin allied Fleet after HMS ELECTRA had been sunk whilst making an attack using torpedoes.
28th - Returned to Surabaya with survivors from HMS JUPITER and Dutch Destroyer KORTENAER.
March
1st - Escorted damaged cruiser HMS EXETER on passage to Colombo with US Destroyer POPE and ambushed by four Japanese cruisers and three destroyers.
Laid smoke screen after HMS EXETER but was hit by shellfire from Japanese cruisers MYOKO and ASHIGARA.
(Note: HMS EXETER sank after being hit by torpedo.)
Encounter came under attack and sustained major damage which ruptured fuel supply system.
Ship disabled without electric power needed to control main armament.
Scuttled by crew in position 04.30S 111.00E.
Many of the ships company were killed and the remainder became prisoners of war, 37 of whom died in Japanese captivity.
Right then time to finish off Encounter
Information & Tabular Record of Movement (TROM) For HMS Encounter H10
HMS ENCOUNTER was an "E" Class Fleet Destroyer ordered on 1st November 1932 from Hawthorn Leslie, Newcastle under the 1931 Build Programme.
The ship was laid down on 15th March 1933, the same day as her sister ship HMS ELECTRA also built in this shipyard. She was launched on 29th March 1934 as the fifth RN ship to carry the name introduced for a Gun Brig in 1805 and last used for a 1902 cruiser transferred to the RAN and hulked in 1929.
Build was completed on 2nd November 1934 for a cost of �252,250 excluding the items supplied by the Admiralty such as guns and communications equipment.
Her peace-time service including no less than 3 collisions and foreign service in the Mediterranean. This destroyer carried out non-intervention patrol during the Spanish Civil War.
Although intended to transfer to Reserve in 1939 she remained in commission with a crew of Reservists.
Her Battle Honours
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE 1806
BASQUE ROADS 1809
CHINA 1856-60
PBI-HO FORTS 1859
ASHANTEE 1873-74
ATLANTIC 1939
NORWAY 1940
SPARTIVENTO 1940
LIBYA 1941
MALTA CONVOYS 1941
MEDITERRANEAN 1941
Her Heraldic Data
Nadge : On a Field Green, two rapiers crossed Silver
Her Moto
Acta non verba: 'Deeds not words'
War Service
1939
August
Retained for service instead of refitting.
Reservists joined.
War Station allocated as 12th Destroyer Flotilla based at Portland.
28th - Attended Review of Reserve Fleet by HM King George VI in Weymouth Bay.
September
Deployed for escort and patrol in SW Approaches and took up War Station.
Based at Milford Haven for convoy defence.
October
SW Approaches deployment in continuation.
Sustained weather damge and taken in hand for repair by HM Dockyard Devonport.
November
On completion of dockyard work took passage to Scapa Flow for duties with Home Fleet.
December
Deployed at Scapa Flow for convoy defence and anti-submarine duties in North Sea and NW Approaches.
1940
January - Scapa Flow deployment in continuation.
February
18th - Joined escort of Convoy HN2 with HM Destroyer BRAZEN in place of HM Destroyer DARING which had been torpedoed and sunk by U23.
March
Transferred to Rosyth for North Sea convoy defence.
Nominated for support ofminelaying operation off Norway.
April
4th - Escorted tanker BRITISH LADY with HM Destroyer GRENADE to Skaelfjord, Norway to support ships deployed for mine laying
(Operation WILFRED)
12th - On completion deployed with Home Fleet units for support of allied landings in Norway.
24th - Took part in bombardment of Narvik with HM Battleship WARSPITE and cruisers.
Escorted Carrier Group engaged in provision of air support for Norwegian military campaign (Operation DX).
May
Home Fleet duties off Norway including escort of HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL.
Passage to Rosyth for routine docking.
June
Provided anti-submarine defence with HM Destroyer MASHONA for ships recovering equipment from the wreck of HM Boom Carrier ASTRONOMER lost off Kinnaird Head.
On completion deployed with HM Destroyer ESCORT in an unsuccessful search for a U-Boat reported by an RAF aircraft.
Sustained damage by grounding and took passage to Sheemess.
20th - Taken in hand for repair and refit at Sheemess.
(Note: Deguassing equipment was fitted at this time)
July
Under refit
Nominated for service with 13th Destroyer Flotilla at Gibraltar.
19th - Carried out post refit trials.
20th - Escorted troopships ss REINA DEL PACIFICO and ss CLAN FERGUSON to Gibraltar.
21st - Detached to assist Norwegian KOLLSKEGG which was on fire.
24th - Met with HM Aircraft Carrier ARGUS and joined escort for passage for Gibraltar
30th - Joined Flotilla at Gibraltar and detached for duty with Force H
31st - Escorted HMS ARGUS during Malta aircraft delivery (Operation HURRY).
(Note: Deployed as part of ARGUS Group with HM Destroyers GALLANT GREYHOUND and HOTSPUR.
Other ships in screen were HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GALLANT and VELOX.
Joined ships of Force "H" which were providing cover.
August
1st - Detached as screen for HM Battleship VALIANT and HMS ARGUS during aircraft delivery with HM Destroyers HOTSPUR, GREYHOUND, GALLANT, ESCAPADE and VELOX.
2nd - After launch of aircraft from HMS ARGUS rejoined by ships of Force "H" which were covering air attack on Cagliari, Sardinia by aircraft from HMS ARK ROYAL (Operation CRUSH)
4th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force "H" ships.
8th - Returned to Gibraltar with HMS ARGUS on completion of Operation HURRY
30th - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FURY, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT and FORESTER as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser SHEFFIELD providing cover for passage of reinforcement warships for service at Alexandria (Operation HATS)
September
3rd - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H ships.
5th - Deployed with screen for HMS RENOWN during unsuccessful serach for Vichy French warships on passage from Toulon to enter the Atlantic.
October
Deployment at Gibraltar for anti-submarine patrol and convoy escort in continuation.
During this deployment rammed HM Submarine UTMOST off Cape St Vincent in error for a U-Boat.
(Note: HMS UTMOST was able to reach Gibraltar and was taken in hand for repair. It may be assumed that damage to this ship was incurred but this was completed before transfer to Force H).
November
Detached for duty with Force H.
7th - Joined Force F with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FORTUNE AND GRIFFIN for screening of HM Battleship BARHAM, HM Cruisers BERWICK and GLASGOW during transt in western Mediterranean to the Sicilian narrows (Operation COAT)
(Note: These ships and HM Destroyers GALLANT, GREYHOUND and GRIFFIN were on passage to join the Mediterranean Fleet based at Alexandria as re-inforcements).
Detached from Force F and returned to Gibraltar for repair.
(Note: One source records the damage was caused by ramming HM Submarine UTMOST during screening duty with Force H for Operation COAT).
9th - Under repair to structural damage.
25th - Rejoined Flotilla on completion for duty with Force H.
Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE, FORESTER, FURY, KELVIN, JAGUAR and WISHART in Force B as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HMS ARK ROYAL, HM Cruisers SHEFFIELD and DESPATCH to cover passage of convoy taking troops and stores to Malta
(Operation COLLAR - This was a major operation and covered transfer of HM Cruisers MANCHESTER and SOUTHAMPTON to join the Fleet at Alexandria.)
27th - Present at the brief engagement between Force H warships and an Italian force of two battleships, seven cruisers and 16 destroyers which withdrew after an exchange of fire.
(Battle of Cape Spartivento).
29th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H ships.
December
Deployed for convoy defence duties at Gibraltar.
19th - Detached for duty with Force H.
20th - Joined Group H with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, ISIS, WISHART and JAGUAR and took passage to Sicilian Narrows to relieve Mediterranean Fleet escort for passage of HM Battleship MALAYA and Convoy MG1 in Western Mediterranean. (Operation HIDE).
21st - Relieved HM Destroyers HYPERION, ILEX and JERVIS.
(Note: HM Destroyer HYPERION, one of the escorts from Alexandria later struck a mine whilst on return passage and had to be sunk).
24th - Arrived at Gibraltar with HMS MALAYA and MG 1. (Note :Passage was also covered by ships of Force H.)
1941
January
Deployed with Flotilla for convoy defence.
Joined escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FURIOUS during passage to Freetown and to Takoradi for delivery of aircraft destined for Middle East.
February
Detached for duty with Force H
6th - Joined Group 2 with HM Destroyers FEARLESS, FOXHOUND, FORESIGHT, FURY and JERSEY for screening of HMS RENOWN, HMS MALAYA, HMS ARK ROYAL and HMS SHEFFIELD during bombardment of Genoa (Operation GROG).
(Note This operation had been planned as Operation RESULT but cancelled in January).
9th - Returned to Gibraltar with Force H.
Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean Fleet in Alexandria.
February
24th - Took passage with HM Destroyer ISIS to Aden via Cape of Good Hope.
(Note: During this period deployed as part of convoy escort)
March
On arrival at Aden deployed temporarily for convoy defence at Aden.
April
Passage from Aden to Suez on release.
12th - Joined Mediterranean Fleet at Alexandria.
18th - Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HAVOCK, HEREWARD, HERO, JAGUAR and JUNO for screening of HM Battleships WARSPITE, BARHAM and VALIANT. HM Cruisers AJAX, ORlON, CALCUTTA, GLOUCESTER, PHOEBE and HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS.
(Operation MD3 - Bombardment of Tripoli and cover for transit of HM Supply Ship BRECONSHIRE to Malta.)
19th - Refuelled in Suda Bay, Crete with destroyers of screen.
20th - Detached to join HMS BRECONSHIRE as escort for passage to Malta. (Note: Did not remain with Fleet for Tobruk bombardment).
21st - Arrived in Malta with HMS BRECONSHIRE.
Taken in hand for repairs and docking by HM Dockyard Malta.
29th - Damaged by near miss during air raid whilst in No 2 Dock.
30th - Hit by bomb during another air raid and sustained major structural damage.
May
Under refit and repair.
16th - Second direct hit with internal explosion caused further major damage.
(Note: All three Boiler Rooms and cruising turbines required extensive repair).
June
Refit and repair in continuation.
July
Completion of repair arranged to be carried out at Gibraltar.
Prepared for passage as part of escort for Convoy MG I
24th - Passage through Sicilian Narrows.
25th - Joined Convoy M31 as escort for transit to Gibraltar.
(Note: Passage of this westbound convoy from Malta was part of the major Operation SUBSTANCE to pass a relief convoy eastwards to Malta also.)
Under air attack SW of Sardinia when one merchantile was damaged.
26th - Arrived at Gibraltar with five of the ships of Convoy MG 1.
31st - Deployed with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, FIREDRAKE, FORESIGHT, FORESTER, FURY, FOXHOUND, COSSACK, MAORI, NESTOR (RAN) and ERIDGE as screen for HM Battlecruiser RENOWN, HM Battleship NELSON and HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL to provide cover for passage of HM Cruisers ARETHUSA, HERMIONE and MANXMAN taking personnel and stores to Malta. (Operation STYLE)
August
3rd - Remained with Force H off Bone untill cruisers and escorts returned from Malta.
Allocated with HM Destroyers LIGHTNING, SIKH and FORESTER to Group I as screen for HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser HERMIONE during return passage to Gibraltar.
4th - Returned to Gibraltar with Group I
Nominated for service at Singapore.
10th - Resumed convoy defence and joined escort for Convoy HG70 during passage from Gibraltar to UK with HM Destroyers FAULKNOR, AVON VALE, NESTOR (RAN) and HM Sloop DEPTFORD.
13th - Took part in anti submarine operations with escort.
Returned to Gibraltar to resume Force "H" duties.
21st - Deployed with HM Destroyers NESTOR(RAN), FURY, FORESIGHT, and FORESTER as screen for HM Battleship NELSON, HMS ARK ROYAL and HM Cruiser HERMIONE to provide cover for mine lay by HMS MANXMAN off Livorno, passage of the mercantiles SS DURHAM and SS DEUCALION to Malta without close escort and to take part in demonstration off Valencia (Operation MINCEMEAT).
26th - On return to Gibraltar with ships of Force "H" detached and took passage to UK to join escort for military convoy.
31st - Joined military convoy WS 11 as Ocean Escort with HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Destroyer NESTOR in Clyde for pasage to Freetown.
September
4th - Joined WS 11 FAST Section when convoy divided as Ocean Escort to Freetown.
13th - Detached from WS 11 FAST on arrival.
18th - Joined military convoy WS11 SLOW on departure from Freetown.
21st - Detached from WSll SLOW
25th - Took independent passage to Aden.
October
Passage in Indian Ocean and Red Sea.
16th - On arrival at Alexandria joined Inshore Squadron for defence of Tobruk convoys.
25th - Rescued survivors from HM Minelaying Cruiser LATONA off Tobruk.
(Note: HMS LATONA had been set on fire during air attacks and blew up when flames reached the after magazine.
One source records that this destroyer sank the hulk of HMS LATTONA.)
November
Inshore Squadron convoy defence in continuation.
14th - Transferred to Eastern Fleet.
15th - Took passage with HM Destroyer JUPITER to join HM Battlecruiser REPULSE and HM Battleship PRINCE OF WALES at Colombo.
28th - Arrived at Colombo.
29th - Deployed with HM Destroyers ELECTRA, EXPRESS and JUPITER as screen for HMS PRINCE OF WALES during passage to Singapore as Force "Z".
30th - HM Battlecruiser REPULSE joined Force"Z" from Trincomalee.
December
3rd - After arrival at Singapore taken in hand for docking to renew propeller bush.
13th - Undocked and deployed for Local-convoy defence.
(Note: Did not sail on 8th December with Force "Z" ships for attack on Japanese invasion ships off Malaya during which HMS PRINCE OF WALES and HMS REPULSE were sunk.
1942
January
Deployed for convoy defence with HM Destroyers JUPITER and VAMPIRE (RAN).
10th - Joined Convoy DM1 on passage from Addu Atoll to reinforce escort during passage to Singapore.
(Note: Escort comprised HM Cruisers DURBAN. EXETER and HM Sloop JUMNA (RIN)).
13th - Detached from DM1 on arrival at Singapore.
Passage to Batavia as escort for convoy.
Taken in hand for boiler cleaning at Batavia.
On completion resumed convoy defence and returned to Singapore.
20th - Joined 7th Destroyer Flotilla in Western Striking Force based at Tangjong Priok for defence of western approaches to East Indies.
February
6th - Deployed for tow of HMS ISIS to Java but tow wire fouled in propeller and was taken over by HM Destroyer ELECTRA during passage.
When both engines were available resumed service with Western Striking Force for interception of invasion craft cover of convoys to and for evacuation from Singapore.
(Note: Garrison surrendered on the 11th.)
25th - Transferred to ABDA Force based at Sourabaya for defence of eastern approaches to Java.
Joined in search for invasion convoys.
(Note: This deployment included escort of rms ORCADES carrying Australian troops, RAF personnel, stores and refugees from Padang to Batavia.)
26th - At Tanjong Prior during air raid and sailed wih HM Cruisers EXETER and PERTH (RAN) with HMS ELECTRA AND HMS JUPITER.
27th - Part of escort for Dutch cruisers DE RUYTER and JAVA, HM Cruisers HOBART (RAN), EXETER, PERTH and US cruiser USS HOUSTON with HM Destroyers ELECTRA, JUPITER, and both Dutch and US Navy destroyers.
Engaged IJN cruiser JINTSU with other ships but target was out of effective range.
Withdrew under fire with HM Destroyer ELECTRA to make further attack.
Returned to rejoin allied Fleet after HMS ELECTRA had been sunk whilst making an attack using torpedoes.
28th - Returned to Surabaya with survivors from HMS JUPITER and Dutch Destroyer KORTENAER.
March
1st - Escorted damaged cruiser HMS EXETER on passage to Colombo with US Destroyer POPE and ambushed by four Japanese cruisers and three destroyers.
Laid smoke screen after HMS EXETER but was hit by shellfire from Japanese cruisers MYOKO and ASHIGARA.
(Note: HMS EXETER sank after being hit by torpedo.)
Encounter came under attack and sustained major damage which ruptured fuel supply system.
Ship disabled without electric power needed to control main armament.
Scuttled by crew in position 04.30S 111.00E.
Many of the ships company were killed and the remainder became prisoners of war, 37 of whom died in Japanese captivity.
Last edited by Laurence Batchelor on Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
ar
No way of telling, needs an article to explain properly.
Moot anyway, because you don't know if the changes actually took place.
Moot anyway, because you don't know if the changes actually took place.
Laurence Batchelor wrote:So who instigated these AA changes then, on the spot Commanders in Columbo or Singapore?ar wrote:NO more searchlight!
Admiralty would almost certainly NOT be aware of these changes.
AA more important than searchlight.
Or in Force Z's case was it Philip's perhaps?
Is it still manned against the mosquitos?Filipe Ramires wrote:Just saw recently one of those 3'' HA guns here in Portugal when passing nearby the Naval Academy. I believe we still have one in the Navy Museum also.