HMAS Stuart, destroyer

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SERVICE HISTORIES of ROYAL NAVY WARSHIPS in WORLD WAR 2

HMAS STUART (D 00) - Scott-class Flotilla Leader
including Convoy Escort Movements

Edited by Gordon Smith, Naval-History.Net

HMAS Stuart

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SCOTT-Class Flotilla Leader ordered from Hawthorn Leslie in April 1917 under the 1916-17 Build Programme and laid down on 18th October that year. The ship was launched on 22nd August 1918 as the first RN ship to carry this name, that of a Scottish Clan. Build was completed on 21st December 1918 and this ship served in several different Flotillas in the Mediterranean Fleet before her transfer to the Royal Australian Navy in 1933. She was commissioned as HMAS STUART on 11th October 1933 and remained in that Dominion Navy for the rest of her service.

B a t t l e H o n o u r s

CALABRIA 1940 - LIBYA 1940-41 - MEDITERRANEAN 1940 - MATAPAN 1941 - GREECE 1941 - CRETE 1941 - NEW GUINEA 1942-44

H e r a l d i c D a t a

Badge: On a field Blue a White rose surmounted by

the Stuart Crown, Green.

M o t t o

'By honour we flourish'

D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e

1 9 3 9

August War Station nominated at Singapore with ships of China Station

September Prepared for war service and commissioned

Deployed for anti-submarine patrol NW of Sydney

9th Carried out attack on false contact with HM Australian Destroyers VAMPIRE and

WATERHEN

October

14th Took passage from Sydney with HM Australian Destroyers VENDETTA, WATERHEN,

VAMPIRE and VOYAGER to join China Station under RN command.

15th Detached with destroyers due to adverse weather and took passage to Brisbane.

16th Sailed from Brisbane.

18th Refuelled at Townsville

22nd Called at Darwin

29th Arrived at Singapore.

November Nominated for transfer to Mediterranean Fleet during passage to Singapore.

13th Took passage from Singapore with HM Australian Destroyers VAMPIRE, VOYAGER,

VENDETTA and WATERHEN to join Mediterranean Fleet.

18th Arrived at Colombo with HMS WATERHEN.

25th Sailed for Madagascar from Colombo to join HM Cruiser GLOUCESTER and French sloop

RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY.

December

10th . Arrived at Aden

17th Arrived in Malta for Flotilla duties.

1 9 4 0

January Deployed with HMAS VENDETTA, WATERHEN, VAMPIRE and VOYAGER with ships of

to Destroyer Command in Mediterranean. for Fleet and Flotilla exercises and enforcement of blockade.

April

May Took part in preparatory exercises with Mediterranean Fleet in the anticipation of Italian entry into

war against Britain and the Dominions. Pennant Number for visual signalling purposes changed

to I00.

June Deployed in Mediterranean, based at Alexandria, as 10th Destroyer Flotilla.

(Note: During this period the Mediterranean Fleet was deployed to cover passage of convoys

evacuating personnel from Malta (Operation MA3). This was abandoned after an action

with Italian destroyers during which heavy expenditure of ammunition gave rise to

concern.

. See THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre and Naval Staff

History.)

July

7th Sailed from Alexandria with HM Cruisers ORION, NEPTUNE, GLOUCESTER,

LIVERPOOL and HM Australian Cruiser SYDNEY as Force "A" to provide cover

for passage of convoys from Malta which had been delayed when Operation MA3

was abandoned. (Operation MAS)

8th Under air attacks.

9th Deployed ahead of major fleet units in Forces "A" and "B" after air search for the

Italian Fleet units had been initiated. Took part in the Battle of Calabria.

(For details see THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN by D Macintyre and

the Naval Staff History)

12th Detached from Fleet screen with HMS GLOUCESTER, HMS NEPTUNE and

ORION and joined Convoy MSI to supplement escort during passage from Malta

to Alexandria.

(Note: This was one of the two convoys planned for evacuation of civilians from

Malta in Operation MA3 - See above.)

13th Under air attacks during which HMS LIVERPOOL was damaged.

15th Detached from MSI on arrival at Alexandria and resumed Fleet duties with Flotilla.

August Flotilla duties with Mediterranean Fleet in continuation.

(Note: During this period Fleet units carried out bombardments in support of

the advance of army units towards Tobruk.)

23rd Deployed with HMAS SYDNEY. HM Destroyers DIAMOND, JUNO and ILEX for

bombardment of seaplane base in the Gulf of Bomba.
24th Returned to Alexandria with same ships.

(Note: This attack is reported as not being very successful.

See THE NAVAL WAR IN THE MEDITERRANEAN by J Greene and

A Massignani.)

30th Mediterranean Fleet units sailed for Operation MB3.

(Note: Part of joint operation with Force H to cover passage of convoys to Malta

and the transit of reinforcement ships for service at Alexandria.

(Operation HATS - See above references.)

September Deployed as part of screen for major units of Mediterranean Fleet during 'provision

of cover for passage of military convoy taking troop reinforcements to Malta

(Operation MB5)

29th Detached from screen to return to Alexandria after machinery defect.

During passage sighted Italian submarine GONDAR on surface which submerged.

Carried out depth charge attacks and later joined by an aircraft and trawler.

Submarine forced to surface after continued attacks

. Crew abandoned GONDAR which had been damaged and later sank.

(Note: This submarine was taking Italian human torpedoes to Alexandria for an

attack on units of Mediterranean Fleet. A planned similar attack at Gibraltar

was cancelled but later operations by underwater divers at both Gibraltar and

Alexandria were carried out.)

October

8th Deployed with HM Destroyers DAINTY, DECOY, IMPERIAL, JANUS, JERVIS JUNO,

MOHAWK, VAMPIRE (RAN) and VENDETTA as part of screen for HM Aircraft Carriers

ILLUSTRIOUS and EAGLE, HM Battleships MALAYA, RAMILLIES, VALIANT and

WARSPITE covering of passage of Convoy MW2 from Egypt and Convoy ME2 from Malta

(Operation MB6).

11th Detached from Fleet screen on arrival of MW2 at Malta and taken in hand for refit.

November Under refit by HM Dockyard, Malta.

to (Note: Midships and after 4.7in gun mounts removed and replaced by

December close range AA weapons. Mainmast removed

1 9 4 1

January On completion of post refit trials rejoined Flotilla for Fleet duties.

Passage to Alexandria

11th Deployed with screen for HMS BARHAM, HMS EAGLE and HM Cruiser AJAX during

passage to join HM Aircraft Carrier ILLUSTRIOUS for series of air attacks on Dodecanese

(Operation MC6)

(Note: This operation was cancelled after HMS ILLUSTRIOUS had been very seriously

damaged during air attacks on 10th January whilst with other Mediterranean Flee units

covering passage of Convoy ME6 during its passage to Egypt.

(Operation MC4 - See above references).

15th Arrived at Alexandria with Fleet units.

22nd Deployed with HM Monitors TERROR and EREBUS, HM River Gunboat LADYBIIRD,

HMAS VOYAGER and HMAS VAMPIRE for support of the 6th Australian Division

during attack on Tobruk.

February Eastern Mediterranean deployment with Flotilla in continuation.

20th Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, ILEX, JERVIS and VENDETTA

(RAN) as screen for HMS FORMIDABLE, HMS BARHAM, VALIANT and WARSPITE

during provision of Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MW6 A from Haifa and Convoy

MW6B from Alexandria (Operation MC9).

March. Nominated for escort of military convoys to and from Greece.

(Operation LUSTRE - Reinforcement of allied forces in Greece.).

4th Part of escort for Convoy AN17 with HM Cruisers COVENTRY, HM Destroyer

HEREWARD and HM Corvette HYACINTH.

Under air attacks.

20th Deployed with HM Destroyers HASTY, HEREWARD, ILEX, JERVIS and VENDETTA

(RAN) as part of screen for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE, HMS BARHAM, HMS

VALIANT, HMS WARSPITE, HMS GLOUCESTER and HNM Cruiser YORK to provide

Distant Cover for passage of Convoy MW6 to Malta (Operation MC9).

22nd Took passage from Matapan area to return to Alexandria.

24th Arrived at Alexandria.

26th Joined HM Destroyers GREYHOUND, GRIFFIN, HOTSPUR and HAVOCK as Force "C" and

sailed from Alexandria for screening of Fleet units during operation to intercept Italian battle

Squadron reported on passage to attack convoys in Aegean Sea.

28th Took part in engagement with Italian units at Battle of Matapan

Sank Italian destroyers VITTORIO ALFIERI and GIOUSE CARDUCCI with HM Destroyers

GREYHOUND, GRIFFIN and HAVOCK.

(For details see above references and MATAPAN by SW Pack.)
29th On release from screening duties took passage to Piraeus for escort of Convoy GA9 to Egypt,

with HM Destroyers HEREWARD and GRIFFIN.

(Note: This convoy had been held at Piraeus in view on threat from the Italian fleet.)
30th HM Cruiser BONAVENTURE joined escort.

Under attack by Italian submarine AMBRA which torpedoed and sank HMS

BONAVENTURE.

Carried out depth charge attacks after detecting AMBRA but these were unsuccessful and

submarine escaped.

April Flotilla duties for convoy defence and Fleet screening in continuation.

13th Deployed with HM Destroyer GRIFFIN and River Gunboat GNAT for

bombardment of Sollum in support of shore military operation.

19th Escorted HM Supply Ship GLENGYLE with HMAS WATERHEN and HM Cruiser

COVENTRY during Commando landing operation for raid at Bardia.

(Note ; HMS GLENGYLE was later converted for specialist use as a Landing Ship

but normally deployed as a Supply Ship in 1940-41.)

23rd Deployed with HMAS VOYAGER, HM Cruisers CALCUTTA and PHOEBE as escort

for Convoy AG13 during passage to Suda Bay, Crete for evacuation .of allied forces

from Greece.

24th Sailed from Suda Bay with HMS CALCUTTA, HMAS VOYAGER, HM Corvettes

HYACINTH and SALVIA with three mercantiles to begin the evacuation of troops from

Rafti and Nauphlia.

Embarked troops and sailed for Alexandria.

26th Sailed from Alexandria with HM Cruiser CALCUTTA, HM Destroyers DIAMOND and

GRIFFIN to join HM Cruisers PERTH (RAN), ORION, PHOEBE and HM Destroyer

DEFENDER at Nauphlia for evacuation.

27th Escorted Convoy GA14 to Alexandria with HMS CALCUTTA, HMS COVEN and other

destroyers.

29th Arrived at Alexandria and sailed with HMAS VENDETTA, HMS GREYHOUND and other

destroyers as escort for HM Aircraft Carrier FORMIDABLE to cover passage of Convoy

GA15 during passage from Greece with evacuated troops

May

3rd Returned to Alexandria after arrival of GA15.

7th Deployed with HM Sloops AUCKLAND and FLAMINGO HMAS VAMPIRE and HMAS

WATERHEN as escort for Convoy AN30 to Suda Bay.

Detached and returned to Alexandria for repair after machinery defect.

12th Deployed as escort for Convoy ANF30 with HMAS VENDETTA during passage from

Alexandria to Suda Bay.

14th Joined HM Cruiser ORION with HMAS VENDETTA as escort for passage to Alexandria

from Suda Bay.

(Note: HMS ORION had £7M of Greek Gold Reserves on board.

22nd Passage to Crete from Alexandria to assist in evacuation of allied troops.

23rd Joined Mediterranean Fleet ships south of Crete with HMAS VENDETTA and HMAS

WATERHEN.

Took part in search for survivors from HM Cruiser FIJI which had been sunk in air

attacks off Crete on 22nd.

(Note: Rescue of survivors following sinking of both HM Cruisers FIJI and

GLOUCESTER in heavy and sustained air attacks had been impossible due

to threat of further air attacks.

25th Deployed with HM Destroyer JAGUAR as escort for HM Supply Ship GLENROY during

passage from Alexandria to Timbakion, Crete to land troops.

26th Under air attacks during which HMS GLENROY was hit by bombs, set on fire and had to be

abandoned.

Landing operation cancelled and returned to Alexandria.

27th On arrival detached from Fleet screening duties for support of military operation in Syria

(Operation EXPORTER).

29th Sailed from Alexandria with HMS DEFENDER and HMS JAGUAR to supplement existing

naval forces deployed off Syria.

30th Joined RN ships operating off Syria.

June Deployed off Syria for interception patrols and support of the army units ashore

(Operation EXPORTER).

(Note: Deployed with HM Cruiser LEANDER to reinforce Mediterranean Fleet cruisers and

destroyers providing support and interception of any Vichy surface ships or submarines

warship attempting to interfere with operation. Other ships involved included HM

Cruiser COVENTRY, HMS GLENGYLE, HM Destroyers JANUS, JAVELIN,

HOTSPUR, KIMBERLEY, GRIFFIN, KANDAHAR and NIZAM.)

10th Carried out patrol and escort duties.

13th Returned to Alexandria on release from EXPORTER.

Nomination for service with Flotilla for support of British garrison at Tobruk.

Deployed with HM Australian Destroyers VENDETTA, VOYAGER and WATERHEN,

HM Australian Sloop PARRAMATTA and HM Sloop AUCKLAND for transport of

personnel and stores to Tobruk and Mersa Matruh.

(Note: HMAS WATERHEN and HMS AUCKLAND were sunk during sustained

air attacks which were a feature of this dangerous duty.

16th Carried out first supply trip to Tobruk.

July

25th Final supply trip to Tobruk.

26th Returned to Alexandria.

Nominated for return to Australia for repair and refit.

August Deployed at Alexandria.

22nd Took passage to Australia on release from Mediterranean Fleet service.

September Passage in Indian Ocean after calls at Aden and Ceylon.

Refit arranged at Williamstown Naval Dockyard.

16th Arrived at Fremantle with only one engine serviceable.

27th Arrived at Williamstown, Victoria and taken in hand for refit and for conversion as

an Escort Destroyer

October Under refit and conversion.

December

1 9 4 3

January Under refit and conversion

to During this conversion "A" gun mounting forward was removed

March and replaced by HEDGEHOG Anti-submarine mortar weapon mounting.

Surface warning radar Type 271 and Surface/Air warning Type 286P were

fitted. For details of these equipments see SEEK AND STRIKE by W.

HACKMANN and RADAR AT SEA by D.Howse.)

April Post refit trials.

May On completion of post refit trials deployed for training duties in

to Australian waters and local convoy defence

July Nominated for support of military operations in SW Pacific.

August Escorted ammunition ship to Noumea, New Hebrides.

15th Arrived at Milne Bay, New Hebrides with convoy from Australia.

September

Convoy defence in continuation.

15th Passage from Milne Bay with convoy and transferred to inward convoy.

18th Returned to Milne Bay.

20th Embarked troops for passage to Normanby Island for capture of Japanese

survivors from destroyer YOYOI which had been shot down by RAAF on 16th.

22nd Returned to Milne Bay with troops and prisoners.

October Convoy defence and support duties in continuation.

Passage to Milne Bay for support operation.

22nd Deployed with HM Australian Destroyer ARUNTA for transport of troops

to Goodenough Island, north of Milne Bay.

23rd Landed troops and took return passage to Milne Bay.

(Note: Island was deserted. See WAR WITH JAPAN (HMSO).)

Released from support duties and returned to Australia.

November Deployed for training duties.

December Training, local convoy escort and patrol duties in continuation.

1 9 4 3

Local Australian deployment in continuation.

Nominated for conversion into use as a Troop Transport for support of

Military operations in SW Pacific.

1 9 4 4

Under conversion for new role.

(Note: This included provision of refrigerated storage to enable a supply

of perishables to be provided to troops in SW Pacific.

On completion deployed in SW Pacific.

1 9 4 5

January Military support role in continuation.

August

P o s t W a r N o t e s

HMAS STUART was Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status in early 1946. The ship was then placed on the Disposal List and sold for breaking-up on 3rd February 1947 to T Carr at Sydney.

Addendum

CONVOY ESCORT MOVEMENTS of HMAS STUART

by Don Kindell

Date convoy Joined convoy Convoy No. Left convoy Date convoy

Sailed as escort arrived

03/01/40 05/01/40 K 6A 09/01/40 09/01/40

11/01/40 11/01/40 K 6B 18/01/40 18/01/40

08/10/40 08/10/40 MF 003 11/10/40 11/10/40

08/03/41 08/03/41 AS 017/1 12/03/41 12/03/41

29/03/41 29/03/41 GA 008 31/03/41 31/03/41

06/05/41 06/05/41 AN 030 07/05/41 09/05/41

11/05/41 11/05/41 ANF 030 15/05/41 14/05/41

14/05/41 14/05/41 AS 031/1 16/05/41 16/05/41

13/06/42 13/06/42 OC 002 16/06/42 16/06/42

16/06/42 16/06/42 VK 002 18/06/42 18/06/42

22/06/42 22/06/42 CO 005 25/06/42 25/06/42

27/06/42 27/06/42 OC 006 30/06/42 30/06/42

30/06/42 30/06/42 VK 003 30/06/42 30/06/42

06/07/42 06/07/42 CO 009 09/07/42 09/07/42

11/07/42 11/07/42 OC 010 14/07/42 14/07/42

14/07/42 14/07/42 GP 006/1 19/07/42 19/07/42

07/08/42 07/08/42 A2 11/08/42 15/08/42

13/08/42 13/08/42 A4 16/08/42 21/08/42

05/09/42 05/09/42 GP 011/A 09/09/42 09/09/42

14/09/42 14/09/42 V 15/09/42 18/09/42

14/09/42 16/09/42 T 17/09/42 17/09/42

26/10/42 26/10/42 F 29/10/42 29/10/42

11/11/42 11/11/42 J 14/11/42 14/11/42

11/11/42 13/11/42 Q 14/11/42 14/11/42

04/02/43 04/02/43 TN 032 06/02/43 06/02/43

10/02/43 10/02/43 TN 035 13/02/43 13/02/43

02/04/43 02/04/43 CO 085 06/04/43 06/04/43

05/04/43 05/04/43 OC 085 08/04/43 08/04/43

10/04/43 10/04/43 CO 087 13/04/43 13/04/43

12/04/43 12/04/43 OC 087 15/04/43 15/04/43

20/07/42 20/07/43 ZK 015 unknown unknown

20/07/43 20/07/43 QL 003A unknown 23/07/43

26/09/43 26/09/43 PV 002 03/10/43 03/10/43

10/10/43 10/10/43 PV 004 17/10/43 17/10/43

20/10/43 20/10/43 TN 170 23/10/43 23/10/43

28/02/44 28/02/44 MV 070 01/03/44 01/03/44

(Note on Convoys)

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