H . M . S. B A T H ( I 1 7 )
Type C NEWPORT Class destroyer Ex USS
HOPEWELL built by Newport News shipbuilders and launched
on 8 June 1918
She was placed in Reserve and transferred to the Royal Navy under the
UK/USA Lease Lend
Agreement signed in 1940. As
with other ships of the Class she was named after a town in the USA and one in UK. In this case a town in New York State and a city in Somerset.
B a t t
l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1941
D e t a i l s o f W a r S e r v i c e
1 9 4 0
September
23rd Commissioned at Halifax.
29th Took passage to Devonport with calls at St Johns, Newfoundland and Belfast.
October Under refit by HM Dockyard, Devonport prior to service
with 1st Minelaying Squadron at Kyle of
Lochalsh (Port ZA). To be deployed as
escort during minelaying operations in Home Waters and to
be detached for convoy escort in Western
Approaches Command when available.
November Joined escort for military convoy WS4B during passage in
NW Approaches.
8th Deployed with HM Destroyers ST ALBANS and ST MARY'S as escort for HM Minelaying Cruiser
to ADVENTURE in NW approaches to Irish Sea and subsequently with same ships for escort of all
14th ships of Squadron during
Operations SN43. SN44 and SN45.
18th Provided cover for ships of Squadron during
Operation SN3 in Northern Barrage.
Joined Local Escort for military convoy WS4B
with HM Destroyers ST ALBAN’S and ST MARY'S.
19th Detached from WS4B in NW Approaches and returned to
Port ZA.
26th Provided cover for ships of Squadron during
Operation SN11 in Northern Barrage
December
8th Provided cover for ships of Squadron during
Operation SN10A in Northern Barrage.
18th Joined Local Escort for military convoys WS5A in
Clyde with HMS ST ALBAN'S.
20th Detached from WS5A with HMS ST ALBANS during passage
in NW Approaches and
returned
to Clyde.
1 9 4 1
January Deployed as part of escort for Troop Convoy TC8 in NW
Approaches.
Passage to Chatham for refit.
February Under refit by HM Dockyard, Chatham.
to Transfer to Royal Norwegian Navy under discussion.
March
April
8th Transferred to Royal Norwegian Navy. RN Name
retained.
Commissioned as HM Nor. Ship BATH.
Nominated for deployment in Western Approaches
Command for Atlantic convoy defence.
16th Damaged in collision during post refit trials.
Passage to Tyne for ref t in commercial
shipyard.
May Under repair in commercial shipyard.
19th Passage to Tobermory for work-up on completion of
repairs.
June
5th Joined 5th Escort Group at Liverpool on completion of work-up.
Deployed for escort of convoys to and from
Gibraltar.
July Escort of OG and HG Series Convoys in continuation.
August Joined escort of Convoy OG71 with ships of Group.
18th Convoy under attacks by U2204, U559 and U201. See
HITLERS U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.
19th Hit by torpedo from U 204 and sank quickly in
position 48.30N 17.45W with heavy loss of life.
(See above reference.) |
