H. M. S.    E T T R I C K   ( F 2 5 4 )

 

RIVER-Class frigate ordered from J Crown of Sunderland on 1st June 1941 and laid down on 31st December that year. The ship was launched on 5th February 1943 as the second RN ship to carry the name of the Scottish river which was first used for a destroyer built in 1903 and sold in 1919. Build was completed on 11th July 1943. Following a WARSHIP WEEK National Savings Campaign in March 1942 the ship had been adopted by the civil community of Hope Valley, Castleton in Derbyshire. She was one of the only six frigates of this Class to be fitted with steam turbine main propulsion engines instead of reciprocating machinery. 

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

ATLANTIC 1944-45

 

H e r a l d i c   D a t a

None is recorded in the Official List of Heraldic Crests.

(Note : Many ships built during WW2 had an

unofficial crest but these were never given

formal approval.)

 

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

 

1 9 4 3

 

June                        Contractors trials and commissioned for service.

 

July

                11th        Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials

                                On completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory to work-up for operational

                                service.

 

August                  Work-up and weapon calibrations completed.

                                (Note : For details of the development and use of radar, direction finding outfit and

                                HEDGEHOG Anti-Submarine Mortar see RADAR AT SEA by . Howse and SEEK AND

                                STRIKE by W Hackmann.)

 

September             Joined Western Approaches Command for Atlantic convoy defence.

 

October                  Deployed in Western Approaches for convoy escort. Nominated for transfer on loan to the

to                            Royal Canadian Navy.

December

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                  Transferred to RCN and took passage to Halifax for escort duties.

 

February                Deployed for escort of convoys between US and Canadian ports to Newfoundland and Mid

to                            Atlantic Meeting Point where convoys were transferred to Escorts based in UK

December.             (Note : The majority of ships sailing in convoy after June arrived without any major attacks and

                                for that reason the work of the escorts received little public attention. The contribution of the

                                RCN has also had scant record in the many publications about the Battle of the Atlantic.

                                Canadian publications giving more details include: 50 DEGREES NORTH by A H Easton, U-

BOATS AGAINST CANADA by M L Hadley, THE U- BOAT HUNTERS by M Milner.)

                                (UK publications giving further details are: HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, CONVOY 

ESCORT COMMANDER by P Gretton, ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett.)

This ship was not deployed with the RCN Escort Groups deployed in support of the Allied 

                                landings in Normandy in June 1944 (Operation NEPTUNE).

                               

1 9 4 5

 

January                  Deployed for escort of convoys between Boston and Halifax in Halifax.

                14th        During defence of Convoy BX141 carried out attacks on U1232 and rammed submarine which

                                sustained damage to conning tower but was able to escape.

                                (Note : This convoy comprised 19 ships including two British oil tankers both of which were

                                sunk. For details see HITLER'S U-BOAT WAR by C Blair.)

 

February                Convoy defence off North American coast in continuation.

to

April

 

May

                30th        Loan service with RCN terminated

 

June                        Passage to UK and reverted to RN control

 

July                         Nominated for reduction to Reserve status at Harwich.

 

August                  Paid off and laid-up in Reserve Fleet at Harwich.

  

P o s t   W a r   N o t e s

 

HMS ETTRICK remained in the Reserve Fleet at Harwich until placed on the Disposal List in 1953. Sold to BISCO for demolition by TW Ward, the ship arrived in tow at the breaker’s yard in Grays, Essex for demolition during June 1953.