North-East Diary 1939-1945 Roy Ripley & Brian Pears © Copyright Brian Pears 1994-2011

1942

* Means that in the action described, the ship was acting as part of an escort or hunting group.

BLYTH SB & DD - BLYTH ... Built ...

the Boom Defence Vessels 'Bardell' - 'Bardolf' - 'Barcock' - 'Barcross' - the minesweeper 'Brixham'.

'Greenock' - 'Hartlepool' minesweepers (656t) - Transferred to RIN in 1942 and renamed 'Baluchistan' and 'Kathlawar' respectively.

SWAN HUNTER & WIGHAM RICHARDSON - WALLSEND ... Built ...

the Battleship 'HMS Anson' (35,000t) - the cruiser 'HMS Newfoundland' - the destroyer 'Melbrake' .

'HMS Gambia' cruiser (8,525t)- Transferred to the RNZN in 1943.

'HMS Bolebroke' destroyer (1,050t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1942 and renamed 'Pindos'.

'HMS Border' destroyer (1,050t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1942 and renamed 'Adrias'. - Her last voyage was an epic. On the night of 24th October 1943, in company with 'HMS Hurworth' , 'HHMS Adrias' set off for a position south of Leros to create a diversion to protect ships landing stores on Leros for the British troops occupying the island. On their way there they ran into a newly laid minefield, both ships were struck by mines, the 'Adrias' was first to be hit, she had her bows blown off as far back as the bridge. By some very skilful seamanship, the Greek captain and his crew managed to beach the remains of their ship in Turkey, there to stay for some time.

With the crew working relentlessly, the ship was made seaworthy enough to make the 600 mile voyage to Alexandria. On the evening of 1st December 1943, weather conditions right and initially escorted by three Motor Gun Boats she began the hazardous journey. In daylight she lay hidden under camouflage nets in Turkish Territorial waters - the Germans were reluctant to bomb in case they gave offence to the Turks - after a change of escorts she reached Cyprus where she refuelled, and in the early hours of the 4th December 1943, she started for Alexandria at approximately eight knots under her own steam. Entering the harbour at Alexandria, all warships cleared lower decks and cheered her in.

Her Greek commanding officer, Commander Toumbos was awarded the Greek equivalent of the VC and a message was sent to Swan Hunters paying tribute to the performance of the ship, when so badly damaged. The 'Adrias' was broken up in Gateshead in 1945. Her companion in this, 'HMS Hurworth' fared badly - see entry for Vickers Armstrong - 1941.

'HMS Modbury' destroyer (1,050t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1942 and renamed 'Miaoulis'.

'HMS Quality' destroyer (1,705t) - Transferred to the RAN 1945.

'HMS Queensborough' destroyer (1,705t) - Transferred to the RAN 1945.

'HMS Vigilant' destroyer (1,710t) - Took part in the last sea battle of WW2 when she helped* sink the Japanese cruiser 'Hagura' , off Penang. 17th May 1945.

HAWTHORN LESLIE - HEBBURN ... Built ...

the destroyer 'Bicester'.

'HMS Blean' destroyer (1,050t) - Torpedoed and sunk by 'U 443' off Oran. 11th December 1942.

'HMS Pathfinder' destroyer (1,540t) - Irreparably damaged by Japanese aircraft at Ramiree Island, Burma. 11th February 1945.

'HMS Quadrant' destroyer (1,705t)- Transferred to the RAN in 1945.

'HMS Quail' destroyer (1,705t) - Damaged by a mine south of Calabria. 15th November 1943. - foundered in tow in the Central Mediterranean. 18th June 1944.

'HMS Quilliam' destroyer (1,705t) - Transferred to the Dutch Navy in 1945 and renamed 'Banckert'.

VICKERS ARMSTRONG NAVAL YARD - TYNE ... Built ...

the destroyer 'Haydon' - the submarine 'Unsparing' .

'HMS Petard' destroyer (1,540t). - As part of the Mediterranean Fleet, 'HMS Petard' took part in the many operations that destroyer flotillas excel in, as convoy escorts, as rescue vessels, as close action fighters, as tugs, to name but a few. It was in the latter role in 1942 when the cruiser 'HMS Arethusa' was badly damaged by German torpedo bombers, off the North African coast, near Tobruk that the 'Petard' took the 'Arethusa' in hand and towed her in a force 10 storm to a position off Alexandria, where she could hand over to sea-going tugs when the storm had abated. A feat of exceptional seamanship. (See entry for 14th June 1942 for a more personal aspect of the ship's crew).

'HMS Hatherleigh' destroyer (1,050t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1942 and renamed 'Kanaris'.

'HMS Porcupine' destroyer (1,540t) - Broken in two by a torpedo from 'U 602' in the Mediterranean on 9th December 1942. Both parts were towed to port and re-used.

JOHN CROWN & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Earraid' - 'Filla' .

SMITH'S DOCK COMPANY - MIDDLESBROUGH ... Built ...

the frigates 'Rother' - 'Tay' - 'Waveney' - 'Wear'.

'HMS Lagan' frigate (1,370t) - Stern blown off by a torpedo. 20th September 1943.

'HMS Spey' frigate (1,370t) - In mid-Atlantic helped* sink 'U 136' on 12th July 1942. - On 18th February 1944 she sank 'U 406', north of the Azores and the following day she sank 'U 386' also north of the Azores.

'HMS Swale' frigate (1,370t) - On 17th May 1943, sank 'U 640', south of Cape Farewell. - Sank 'U 302', north-west of the Azores. 6th April 1944.

COOK, WELDON & GEMMELL - BEVERLEY ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Benbecula' - 'Bern' - 'Bressay' - 'Duncton' - 'Dunkery' - 'Egilsay' - 'Ensay' - 'Gweal' - 'Inkpen' - 'Lundy' - 'Neave' - 'Portsdown' - 'Scalpay' - 'Sheppey' - 'Ulva' - 'Yes Tor'.

'Bredon' trawler (750t) - Sunk by 'U 521' whilst on convoy duty west of Gibraltar. 8th February 1943.

'Bruray' trawler (560t) - In 1943 transferred to the Portuguese Navy and renamed 'P 1'.

'Hayling' trawler (560t) - In 1943 transferred to the Portuguese Navy and renamed 'P 3'.

'Whalsay' trawler (560t) - In 1943 transferred to the Portuguese Navy and renamed 'P 4'.

COCHRANE & SONS - SELBY ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Bonito' - 'Grayling' - 'Mullet' - 'Whiting' - the tugs 'Charon' - 'Dexterous' - 'Griper' - 'Hengist' - 'Prosperous' - 'Saucy' - the controlled minelayer 'Redshank'.

'Horsa' tug (1,045t) - She was towing the forepart of an American ship ('Richard Bland') which had been torpedoed on 5th March 1943, the tow was driven ashore, the 'Horsa' was also wrecked on the Icelandic coast. 16th March 1943.

'Corncrake' controlled minelayer (670t) - Foundered in the North Atlantic. 25th January 1943.

GOOLE SB & REPAIRING COMPANY - GOOLE ... Built ...

the mooring vessels 'Moorburn' - 'Moorcock' - 'Moorfly' - 'Moorgrass' - the trawlers 'Flaray' - 'Mouse' -- 'Rousay' - 'Ruskholm'.

1943

* Means that in the action described, the ship was acting as part of an escort or hunting group.

BLYTH SB & DD - BLYTH ... Built ...

the frigate 'Ballinderry' - the corvette 'Knaresborough Castle' - the minesweeper 'Fancy'.

'Brave' minesweeper (950t) - In 1954 this minesweeper became 'HMS Satellite' the training ship for the Tyne Division RNVR based at South Shields. In 1958 she was broken up at Dunston.

SWAN HUNTER & WIGHAM RICHARDSON - WALLSEND ... Built ...

the destroyers 'Grenville' - 'Tyrian' - 'Ulster' .

'HMS Vindex' escort carrier (13,455t) - Aircraft from 'Vindex' helped* sink 'U 653', west of Ireland. 15th March 1944. - Aircraft from 'Vindex' helped* sink 'U 765', Mid-Atlantic. 6th May 1944. - Aircraft from 'Vindex' helped* sink 'U 344', in the Arctic Ocean. 24th August 1944. - Swordfish aircraft from 'Vindex' sank 'U 354' off Bear Island. 25th August 1944. - Aircraft from 'Vindex' helped* sink 'U 394', west of Halstad. 2nd September 1944.

'HMS Tuscan' destroyer (1,710t) - Helped* sink the German torpedo boat 'TA 18' (formerly the Italian torpedo boat 'Solferino').

'HMS Virago' destroyer (1,710t) - Took part in the last sea battle of WW2 when she helped* sink the Japanese cruiser 'Haguro' , off Penang. 17th May 1945.

'HMS Portchester Castle' corvette (1,010t) - Helped* sink 'U 743', west of Ireland. 9th September 1944.

HAWTHORN LESLIE - HEBBURN ... Built ...

the destroyer 'Savage' .

'HMS Saumarez' destroyer (1,730t) - Took part in the last sea battle of WW2 when she helped* sink the Japanese cruiser 'Haguro' , off Penang. 17th May 1945.

VICKERS ARMSTRONG NAVAL YARD - TYNE ... Built ...

the monitor 'Abercrombie' - the submarines 'Universal' - 'Unswerving' - 'Uther' - 'Varangian'. Also the following vessels ...

'HMS Uganda' cruiser (8,875t) - Transferred in 1944 to the RCN and renamed 'Quebec'.

'HM Submarine Untamed' (545t) - Lost in an accident in the Firth of Clyde on 30th May 1943, there were no survivors. Later salvaged, refitted and renamed 'Vitality'.

'HM Submarine Untiring' (545t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Amphitriti'.

'HM Submarine Usurper' (545t) - Lost in the Bay of Genoa in October 1943.

JOHN CROWN & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the frigate 'Ettrick' and:-

'HMS Bugloss' corvette (980t) - Transferred to the Indian Navy in 1945 and renamed 'Assam'.

'Gruinard' trawler (560t) - Transferred to the Portuguese Navy in 1943 and renamed 'P 7'. She was returned to the RN in 1944.

SMITH'S DOCK COMPANY - MIDDLESBROUGH ... Built ...

the frigates 'Fal' - 'Odzani' - 'Plym' - 'Towy' - 'Usk' - the corvettes 'Hadleigh Castle' - the coastal salvage vessels - 'Dispenser' - 'Help' - 'Lifeline' - 'Succour'. 'HMS Nene' frigate (1,370t) - Helped* sink 'U 536' , north of the Azores. 20th November 1943.

'HMS Kenilworth Castle' corvette (1,010t) - Helped* sink 'U 744', in mid Atlantic. 6th March 1944. - Helped* sink 'U 1200', south of Ireland. 11th November 1944.

'HMS Deveron' frigate (1,370t) - Transferred to the Indian Navy in 1945 and renamed 'Dhanush'.

'HMS Mourne' frigate (1,370t) - Sunk by 'U 767' off the Lizard. 15th June 1944.

'HMS Moyola' frigate (1,370t) - Transferred to the French Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Tonkinois'.

COOK, WELDON & GEMMELL - BEVERLEY ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Annet' - 'Bombardier' - 'Bryher' - 'Coldstreamer' - 'Farne' - 'Flatholm' - 'Fusilier' - 'Grenadier' - 'Gulland' - 'Kittern' - 'Lancer' - 'Lindisfarne' - 'Mewstone' - 'Minalto' - 'Rosevean' - 'Sapper' - 'Skokholm' - the controlled minelayers 'Blackbird' - 'Dabchick'.

'Ganilly' trawler (560t) - Sunk by a mine off Normandy. 5th July 1944.

COCHRANE & SONS - SELBY ... Built ...

the tugs 'Allegiance' - 'Antic' - 'Assiduous' - 'Earner' - the trawlers 'Bream' - 'Gillstone' - 'Grain' - 'Grilse' - 'Pollack'.

'Herring' trawler (670t) - Lost due to a collision in the North Sea. 22nd April 1943.

GOOLE SB & REPAIRING COMPANY - GOOLE ... Built ...

the salvage vessels 'Prince Salvor' - 'Sea Salvor' - the mooring vessels 'Mooress' - 'Moorhen' .

1944

* Means that in the action described, the ship was acting as part of an escort or hunting group.

BLYTH SB & DD - BLYTH ... Built ...

the tank landing ship 'LST 3026' - the frigate 'Ribble' - the corvette 'Launceston Castle' .

'HMS Frome' frigate (1,370t) - Transferred to the French Navy in 1944 and renamed 'L'Escarmouche'.

'HMS Loch Bolsdale' frigate (1,435t) - Transferred to the South African Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Good Hope' .

'HMS Torridge' frigate (1,370t) - Transferred to the French Navy in 1944 and renamed 'La Surprise'. In 1964 this vessel was being used as the Moroccan Royal Yacht which was named 'Al Maouna' .

SWAN HUNTER & WIGHAM RICHARDSON - WALLSEND ... Built ...

the tank landing ship 'LST 3019' - the cable ships 'Bullfrog' - 'St Margarets' - the destroyers 'Barfleur' - the frigates 'Loch Morlich' - the corvette 'Rushden Castle' .

'HMS Loch Shin' frigate (1,435t) - Helped* sink U 1014, in the Minches. 4th February 1945.

'HMS Cyrus' experimental mine destructor (4,000t) - This vessel was listed as 'Algerine' for security reasons. Wrecked at Seine Bay. 5th December 1944.

'HMS Shrewsbury Castle' corvette (1010t) - Transferred to the Norwegian Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Tonsberg Castle'. Mined in the Kola Inlet. 12th December 1944.

HAWTHORN LESLIE - HEBBURN ... Built ...

the cruiser 'HMS Diadem' - the minelaying cruiser 'HMS Apollo' - the destroyers 'Whelp' - 'Whirlwind' .

VICKERS ARMSTRONG NAVAL YARD - TYNE ... Built ...

the cruiser 'HMS Swiftsure' - the destroyers 'Myngs' - 'Zephyr' - the submarines 'Varne' - 'Virulent' - 'Vivid' - 'Voracious' - 'Votary' - 'Vulpine'.

'HMS Colossus' aircraft carrier (13,190t) - Transferred to the French Navy in 1945 and renamed 'Arromanches' .

'HM Submarine Volatile' (545t) - Transferred to the Greek Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Triana'.

S.P. AUSTIN & SON - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the corvette 'Amberley Castle'.

JOHN CROWN & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the corvette 'Farnham Castle'.

'HMS Bulrush' corvette (980t) - Transferred to the RCN in 1944 and renamed 'Mimico'.

WILLIAM PICKERSGILL & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the corvette 'Leeds Castle' - 'Morpeth Castle' .

SMITH'S DOCK COMPANY - MIDDLESBROUGH ... Built ...

the coastal salvage vessel 'Uplifter'.

'HMS Loch Eck' frigate (1,435t) - Helped* sink U 1279, north west of Bergen. 3rd February 1945. - Helped* sink 'U 989', off the Faroes. 14th February 1945. - Helped* sink 'U 1278', north west of Bergen. 17th February 1945.

'HMS Nadder' frigate (1,370t) - Transferred to the Indian Navy in 1944 and renamed 'Shamsher'.

'HMS Teme' frigate (1,370t) - Irreparably damaged by 'U 246' off Falmouth. 29th March 1945. The 'U 246' was subsequently sunk by two other frigates of the same escort group.

COOK, WELDON & GEMMELL - BEVERLEY ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Ailsa Craig' - 'Calvay' - 'Crowlin' - 'Fuday' - 'Guardsman' - 'Hanneray' - 'Harris' - 'Hascosay' - 'Homeguard' - 'Royal Marine' - 'Sandray' - 'Scaravay' - 'Stonechat' - 'Wiay' - the controlled minelayer 'Whitethroat'.

'Colsay' trawler (560t) - Sunk by a German human torpedo off Ostend. 2nd November 1944.

COCHRANE & SONS - SELBY ... Built ...

the tugs 'Enforcer' - 'Enigma' - 'Enticer' - the trawlers 'Hellisay' - 'Hermetray' - 'Imersay' - 'Lingay' - 'Longa' - 'Oronsay' - 'Vatersay'.

'Sesame' tug (1,045t) - Sunk by an E Boat off Normandy. 11th June 1944.

1945

BLYTH SB & DD - BLYTH ... Built ...

the frigate 'Loch Quoich'.

SWAN HUNTER & WIGHAM RICHARDSON - WALLSEND ... Built ...

the aircraft carrier 'HMS Vengeance' - the cruiser 'HMS Superb' - the oiler 'Olna' - the cable ship 'Bullhead' - the tank landing ship 'LST 3020' - the destroyer 'Trafalgar' - the coastal forces depot ship 'Derby Haven' .

'HMS Loch Cree' frigate (1,435t) - Transferred to the South African Navy in 1945 and renamed 'Natal'.

HAWTHORN LESLIE - HEBBURN ... Built ...

the tank landing ships 'LST 3016' - 'LST 3017' - the destroyer 'Armada'.

VICKERS ARMSTRONG NAVAL YARD - TYNE ... Built ...

the aircraft maintenance ship 'HMS Perseus' - the tank landing ship 'LST 3001' - 'HM Submarine Vagabond' .

REDHEAD & SONS - SOUTH SHIELDS ... Built ...

the repair ship 'Beauly Firth'.

BARTRAM & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the repair ship 'Mullion Cove'.

JOHN CROWN & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

'HMS Hedlingham Castle' corvette (1,010t) - Originally named 'Gorey Castle' , the change was possibly justified.

WILLIAM PICKERSGILL & SONS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the tank landing ship 'LST 3033'.

SHORT BROTHERS - SUNDERLAND ... Built ...

the repair ships ''Dullisk Cove' - 'Solway Firth' .

W. GRAY & COMPANY - WEST HARTLEPOOL ... Built ...

the aircraft component repair ships 'Cuillin Sound' - 'Holm Sound'.

SMITH'S DOCK COMPANY - MIDDLESBROUGH ... Built ...

the tank landing ships 'LST 3024' - 'LST 3025' - the frigate 'Loch Achrey'.

COOK, WELDON & GEMMELL - BEVERLEY ... Built ...

the trawlers 'Shillay' - 'Sursay' - 'Tahay' - 'Tocogay' - 'Trodday' - 'Vaceasay' - 'Vallay'.

COCHRANE & SONS - SELBY ... Built ...

the tugs 'Enchanter' - 'Encore' - the trawlers 'Orsay' - 'Ronay'.

GOOLE SB & REPAIRING COMPANY - GOOLE ... Built ...

the mooring vessels 'Moorgrieve' - 'Moormyrtle' .

Most of the ships built in 1945 were completed too late in the war to have seen action during the period covered in this diary, but they did sterling work in fighting to keep the peace !!

© Copyright Brian Pears 1994-2011