H . M . S.    D U N O O N   ( N 5 2 )

 

“Later HUNT” Class coal burning minesweeper ordered from Clyde Shipbuilders at Port Glasgow in June 1917 and laid  down on 26th August 1918. She was launched on 21st March 1919 and was the first RN ship to bear this name. Her  build was completed on 19th June 1919 and she took part in the extensive mine clearance operations which were carried out after the end of WW1.  In  1938 this ship was laid up in Malta

 

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

 

                                                                          None is recorded in the Official List.

 

                                                                                                Heraldic Data

 

Badge; On a Field  Blue,. a castle Gold on a mount Silver.

 

                                                                                               M o t t o

 

                                                                                               “Forward”.

 

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

 

                                                                                                1 9 3 9

 

August                     Laid-up in Malta with sister ship HMS DUNDALK.

                                 (Note : Other ships of this Class in Malta and at Alexandria were brought forward in 1939 for

                                             patrol duty  in Eastern Mediterranean to prevent illegal immigrants from entering Palestine.

                                            The deployment as the 3rd Minesweeping Flotilla for this purpose was cancelled and the

                                             ships were  used  for  the interception of mercantiles for Contraband Control.)

                                 Commissioned for service.

 

September              Deployed in Mediterranean

to October

 

November               Nominated for return to UK for minesweeping in Home Waters

                                Passage to Portland

                                (Note : Significant losses of mercvhant ships and warships due to enemy mining off the East Coast

                                            including first use of magnetic mines had made necessary an increase in minesweeers

                                            in that area. See ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by Corelli Barnett and the

                                           Naval Staff History.)

 

December                On arrival at Portland shipsofficers given briefing on new tasks.

                                Took passage to Great Yarmouth to join HM Minesweepers FITZROY, KELLETT and SELKIRK

                                with HMS DUNDALK.

                                Deployed at Great Yarmouth for minesweeping to ensure safe passage of East Cost convoys.

                                (Note : HMS FITZROY and HMS KELLETT had been used for Hydrographic duties and reverted

                                            to  a minesweeping role after outbreak of war. HMS SELKIRK had been laid-up in Reserve

                                            in UK.

 

                                                                                               1 9 4 0

 

January                    East Coast minesweeping duties in continuation.

       to                      Joined 4th Minesweeping Flotilla on formation.

March                      (Note : Flotilla also included HM Minesweepers FITZROY, KELLETT, DUNDALK, SELKIRK,

                                             ELGIN and SUTTON. The other ships had been transferred from the Mediterranean to

                                             reinforce minesweepers available to deal with the increase in enemy minelaying off  the

                                             East Coast of UK.)

 

April                        Deployment with Flotilla based at Yarmouth in continuation.

      30th                   During an attempt to recover a parted Sweep detonated a mine which resulted in further explosion

                                 of the 4” Magazine. Ship sank after 20 minutes in position 52.45N  02.23E. off Great Yarmouth.

                                 (Casualty List - note on casualties)