LOCH-Class Anti-Submarine Frigate
initially ordered on 13th February 1943 from Swan Hunter at Newcastle with propulsion
machinery to be provided by Wallsend
Slipway Machinery. She was laid down on 11th
February 1944 as LOCH ASSYNT but later
in 1944 the build
contract was changed and the ship was converted for use as Coastal Forces Depot
Ship to be named DERBY
HAVEN. This name, that of a village in the SE corner of the Isle of Man is associated with the
Earls of Derby and thus with the
famous annual horse race held at Epsom. Launched on 14th December 1944 she was the first
RN ship to carry this name and build was completed on 2nd August 1945.
B a t t l e
H o n o u r s
None
H e r a l d i c D a t a
Badge: Incorporates a
version of the Arms of the Isle of Man and the
Black and White
racing colours of the Earl of Derby.
M o t t o
“Wherever I am sent
I remain steadfast.”
(Note: Adapted from the Arms of the Isle of Man.)
Geographic Location
Grid Reference: SC2867. Bay in SE corner of
the Isle of Man.
Manning Port
Chatham
S u m m a r y o f S e r v i c e
1 9 4 5
July
Nominated for service in East Indies Fleet.
Contractors trials
August Commissioned for service.
Commanding Officer:
Commander TA Sergeant, RNR
2nd Build completion and commenced
Acceptance Trials
On completion of trials and storing too passage to Portland.
September Sailed from Portland to join East Indies
Fleet
to October Nominated for duty at Singapore.
November Arrived at Singapore after call at Colombo
December Deployed at Singapore as Depot Ship for
Harbour Defence ML’s and BYMS.
(Note: BYMS were US Built and provided under Lend Lease
Agreement.)
1 9 4 6
January
Singapore
deployment in continuation.
Under
repair at Singapore after sustaining
damage whilst under way in Singapore Roads.
Resumed support duties at anchor off Singapore.
February Deployed
off Singapore for Depot Ship
duties.
to March
(Note: This ship designated Flagship for Flag Officer Malaya and in
early March accommodated
Mr
F C Gibson, Governor-General for Malaya pending his move to
shore.).
April
Support duties and Flag at Singapore.
to June
July Carried
out visit programme to ports on both coasts of Malaya.
to August
(Note: Visits to Siam to be confirmed.
BYMS were operating in Gulf of Siam.
Commander R F Jennings, RN was appointed in command.)
September At Penang
1Oth Sailed to Singapore from Penang.
15th Arrived at Singapore.
October Visited Palembang
to November
(Note: Extensive minesweeping operations were being carried out in Dutch East Indies)
Returned to Singapore.
December Nominated
for return to UK to reduce to
Reserve status.
1 9 4 7
January Passage
to UK
to February
March Paid-off
at Chatham and destored.
April
Accepted into Reserve Fleet and laid-up at Chatham.
to December
1 9 4 8
January
Transferred to Reserve Fleet at Sheerness.
February Deployed
as Living Ship for Minesweeper Group and moored in Medway with other Living
Ships.
to August
September Transfer to Persia agreed and to be
refitted for service as Frigate before delivery to Persia.
October Taken in
tow to HM Dockyard, Chatham for refit and conversion to Frigate role.
November
Under refit.
to December (Note: Refit work included removal of
all British classified material and other equipment fitted
for depot ship use. Armament was restored to original LOCH
Class design.)
1 9 4 9
January
Under refit.
to March
(Note: RN steaming crew to be made up of personnel on draft to join
ships on East Indies Station.
Post refit harbour trials.
April
Post refit harbour and sea trials.
to May
Sustained damage in collision with HM Fleet Minesweeper FLY and docked
for repair.
(Note: HMS FLY was
also being transferred to Persia and had refitted at
Chatham)
Undocked and completed trials.
Steaming crew joined and ship prepared for passage to Khorramshah.
June Passage to Persian
Gulf.
July
Arrived at Khorramshah.
30th Formal transfer to Persian Navy
and renamed BADR (Panther.)
Final Phase
This ship served as
BADR and was deployed as a Frigate until September 1969 when she was stricken
from the Active List.
