H. M. S. D U M
B A R T O N C A S T L E ( K 3 8 8 )
”CASTLE” Class Frigate
ordered from Caledon SB at Aberdeen
on 2nd
February 1943 and laid down
on 6th May that
year. The ship was launched on 28th September
1942 and was the 2nd RN ship
to bear this name, introduced for a 6th Rate in 1707 but captured by the French the
following year. Build of this new design Corvette
was completed on 25th February 1944. She was not adopted by a civil community in UK in 1941-42 following a National Savings WARSHIP WEEK
campaign.
B a t t l e H o n o u r s
ATLANTIC 1944- 5
FALKLANDS 1982 *
(Note: * Awarded to third ship.)
H e r a l d i c D a t a
No Badge 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.)
1 9 4 4
June Commissioned for
service in Western Approaches Command.
25th Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials.
(Note: For
details of new SQUID Anti-submarine weapon see SEEK AND STRIKE by
W Hackmann.).
July On completion of
trials and storing took passage to Tobermory to work-up for
operational
service.
August Joined 5th Escort Group
for Atlantic convoy defence.
(Note: Other
ships in this Group were
HM Frigate EXE (Senior Officer), HM Frigate
ASCENSION, Sister ships HMS BERKELEY CASTLE, HMS CARISBROOK
CASTLE, HMS HADLEIGH CASTLE and HMS BAMBOROUGH CASTLE.)
September Deployed with Group for defence of
Atlantic convoys.
to (Note: HMS BAMBOROUGH
CASTLE of Group was detached for service with Home
October Fleet as an
escort for Russian
convoys.)
For details of
weapons and tactics used by U-Boats and by Escort and Support
Groups see the THE BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D
MacIntyre, BUSINESS
IN GREAT WATERS by J
Terraine and above reference.)
November Group deployment in NW
Approaches in continuation.
24th Took part in anti-submarine
operations with Group against U-Boat sighted and previously
attacked
by Sunderland aircraft of No 330 Norwegian Squadron RAF in position
north of
Cape Wrath.
25th Submarine identified as U322
sunk by HMS ASCENSION.
See U-BOATS
DESTROYED by P Kemp.)
December Atlantic convoy defence and
ant-submarine search duties in NW Approaches.
1 9 4 5
January Transferred with Group for
anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence
to
coastal convoys around UK.
April (Note: German
submarines fitted with “Schnorkel” equipment were
being extensively deployed to attack coastal traffic.)
February Coastal convoy defence and
ant-submarine patrol in continuation
to (Note: For details of
German submarine activities in UK coastal waters
April see HITLER'S
U-BOAT WAR by C Blair, U-BOAT WAR IN
THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and The Naval Staff
History.)
May After VE Day deployed
for anti-submarine training and for visits to
to UK ports. Support duties for re-occupation of European
countries to be++++
August confirmed.
P o s t W a
r N o t e s
HMS DUMBARTON CASTLE remained
in service until 1947 when placed in Reserve at ortsmouth. She was
re-classified as a Frigate in 1947 and her Pennant Number became
388. Although refitted in 1949, she remained
in Reserve at Harwich. Transferred to lay-up at Hartlepool in 1953 she never re-commissioned. After being sold
on 16th November 1960.she was
towed to Gateshead in March 1961 and broken-up by JJ King & Co later that
year.
This name was used for the third time when given to an Ocean Patrol vessel when launched by Hall
Russell
at Aberdeen on 3rd June 1981. This ship was one of a new CASTLE Class to be used
for fishery protection duties as well as for patrol duties and took part in the
Falklands War in 1982.
