HMS Welshman (M84): Difference between revisions
→References: Added template. |
m Cleaned up using AutoEd |
||
Line 42: | Line 42: | ||
|Ship class={{Sclass-|Abdiel|minelayer}} |
|Ship class={{Sclass-|Abdiel|minelayer}} |
||
|Ship tonnage= |
|Ship tonnage= |
||
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|2650|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} standard |
|Ship displacement=*{{convert|2650|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} standard |
||
*{{convert|3415|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full load |
*{{convert|3415|LT|t|0|abbr=on}} full load |
||
|Ship length=*{{convert|400|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} [[Length between perpendiculars|p/p]] |
|Ship length=*{{convert|400|ft|6|in|m|abbr=on}} [[Length between perpendiculars|p/p]] |
||
*{{convert|418|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]] |
*{{convert|418|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]] |
||
|Ship beam={{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} |
|Ship beam={{convert|40|ft|m|abbr=on}} |
||
|Ship height= |
|Ship height= |
||
|Ship draught=*{{convert|11|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} |
|Ship draught=*{{convert|11|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on}} |
||
*{{convert|14|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} full |
*{{convert|14|ft|9|in|m|abbr=on}} full |
||
|Ship depth= |
|Ship depth= |
||
|Ship hold depth= |
|Ship hold depth= |
||
Line 56: | Line 56: | ||
|Ship power= |
|Ship power= |
||
|Ship propulsion=*4 × Admiralty 3-drum [[water-tube boiler]]s |
|Ship propulsion=*4 × Admiralty 3-drum [[water-tube boiler]]s |
||
*[[Parsons Marine Steam Turbines|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s |
*[[Parsons Marine Steam Turbines|Parsons]] geared [[steam turbine]]s |
||
*2 shafts |
*2 shafts |
||
*{{convert|72000|shp|0|abbr=on}} |
*{{convert|72000|shp|0|abbr=on}} |
||
|Ship speed=*{{convert|39.75|kn|lk=in}} |
|Ship speed=*{{convert|39.75|kn|lk=in}} |
||
*{{convert|38|kn|abbr=on}} full |
*{{convert|38|kn|abbr=on}} full |
||
|Ship range={{convert|1000|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|38|kn|abbr=on}} |
|Ship range={{convert|1000|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|38|kn|abbr=on}} |
||
|Ship endurance= |
|Ship endurance= |
||
Line 69: | Line 69: | ||
|Ship EW= |
|Ship EW= |
||
|Ship armament=*6 × [[QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun|QF {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} L/45 Mark XVI guns]] on twin mounts [[British ordnance terms|HA/LA]] Mk.XIX |
|Ship armament=*6 × [[QF 4 inch Mk XVI naval gun|QF {{convert|4|in|mm|abbr=on}} L/45 Mark XVI guns]] on twin mounts [[British ordnance terms|HA/LA]] Mk.XIX |
||
*4 × [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2-pdr L/39 Mk.VIII]] on quadruple mount Mk.VII |
*4 × [[QF 2 pounder naval gun|QF 2-pdr L/39 Mk.VIII]] on quadruple mount Mk.VII |
||
*8 × [[Vickers .50 machine gun]]s on quadruple mount Mk.I (later up to 12 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm |
*8 × [[Vickers .50 machine gun]]s on quadruple mount Mk.I (later up to 12 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|20 mm ]] on single mounts P Mk.III or twin mounts Mk.V) |
||
*156 × [[naval mine]]s |
*156 × [[naval mine]]s |
||
|Ship armour= |
|Ship armour= |
||
|Ship notes= |
|Ship notes= |
||
Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
|label= |
|label= |
||
|partof=*[[Home Fleet]] |
|partof=*[[Home Fleet]] |
||
*[[Force H]] |
*[[Force H]] |
||
|codes= |
|codes= |
||
|commanders= |
|commanders= |
||
|operations=*[[Malta Convoys]] |
|operations=*[[Malta Convoys]] |
||
*[[Operation Torch]] |
*[[Operation Torch]] |
||
|victories= |
|victories= |
||
|awards= |
|awards= |
||
}} |
}} |
||
|} |
|} |
||
'''HMS ''Welshman''''' was an {{Sclass-|Abdiel|minelayer}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. During [[World War II]] she served with the [[Home Fleet]] carrying out minelaying operations, before being transferred to the [[Mediterranean Fleet (United Kingdom)|Mediterranean Fleet]] in mid-1942 for the [[Malta Convoys]]. She also saw service during |
'''HMS ''Welshman''''' was an {{Sclass-|Abdiel|minelayer}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. During [[World War II]] she served with the [[Home Fleet]] carrying out minelaying operations, before being transferred to the [[Mediterranean Fleet (United Kingdom)|Mediterranean Fleet]] in mid-1942 for the [[Malta Convoys]]. She also saw service during [[Operation Torch]]. The ship was torpedoed and sunk off [[Tobruk]] by the German submarine {{Ship|German submarine|U-617||2}} with the loss of 157 lives.<ref name="naval-history.net">{{Cite web |
||
|url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-07ML-Welshman.htm |
|url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-07ML-Welshman.htm |
||
|title=HMS Welshman, British minelayer, WW2 |
|title=HMS Welshman, British minelayer, WW2 |
||
Line 97: | Line 97: | ||
==Service history== |
==Service history== |
||
===Home Fleet, |
===Home Fleet, === |
||
Commissioned in late August 1941, ''Welshman'' sailed to [[Scapa Flow]] to join the [[Home Fleet]], before assignment to the 1st Minelaying Squadron at the [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] in September. She conducted minelaying operations in the waters off western [[Scotland]] before being detached in December for deployment in the [[Bay of Biscay]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
Commissioned in late August 1941, ''Welshman'' sailed to [[Scapa Flow]] to join the [[Home Fleet]], before assignment to the 1st Minelaying Squadron at the [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] in September. She conducted minelaying operations in the waters off western [[Scotland]] before being detached in December for deployment in the [[Bay of Biscay]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
In January 1942 she transported stores and personnel to [[Gibraltar]], [[Freetown]] and [[Takoradi]] before deploying to the [[Strait of Dover]] in early February to lay mines across the routes likely to be used in the [[Channel Dash|event of a breakout]] by German battleships {{Ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}} and {{Ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}}. After a refit, ''Welshman'' resumed minelaying operations in the Bay of Biscay in April.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
In January 1942 she transported stores and personnel to [[Gibraltar]], [[Freetown]] and [[Takoradi]] before deploying to the [[Strait of Dover]] in early February to lay mines across the routes likely to be used in the [[Channel Dash|event of a breakout]] by German battleships {{Ship|German battleship|Gneisenau||2}} and {{Ship|German battleship|Scharnhorst||2}}. After a refit, ''Welshman'' resumed minelaying operations in the Bay of Biscay in April.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
===Force H, |
===Force H, === |
||
In May 1942 she sailed to the Mediterranean to join [[Force H]] in the [[Malta Convoys]]. On 8 May ''Welshman'' sailed from Gibraltar disguised as a French destroyer, with 240 tons of stores and RAF personnel aboard, in "[[Operation Bowery]]". She was sighted by enemy aircraft the next day, but her deception succeeded. On entering the [[Grand Harbour]] at [[Malta]] on 10 May she detonated two mines with her [[Paravane (weapon)|paravanes]], sustaining some damage. She returned to Gibraltar on 12 May, and sailed to the UK for repairs at [[Yarrow Shipbuilders|Yarrows]] at [[Scotstoun]], returning to Gibraltar at the end of the month.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
In May 1942 she sailed to the Mediterranean to join [[Force H]] in the [[Malta Convoys]]. On 8 May ''Welshman'' sailed from Gibraltar disguised as a French destroyer, with 240 tons of stores and RAF personnel aboard, in "[[Operation Bowery]]". She was sighted by enemy aircraft the next day, but her deception succeeded. On entering the [[Grand Harbour]] at [[Malta]] on 10 May she detonated two mines with her [[Paravane (weapon)|paravanes]], sustaining some damage. She returned to Gibraltar on 12 May, and sailed to the UK for repairs at [[Yarrow Shipbuilders|Yarrows]] at [[Scotstoun]], returning to Gibraltar at the end of the month.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
On 11 June ''Welshman'' sailed for Malta as part of the relief convoy in |
On 11 June ''Welshman'' sailed for Malta as part of the relief convoy in [[Operation Harpoon (1942)|Operation Harpoon]]. The next day she left the convoy and proceeded alone. After discharging her cargo at Malta on 15 June she rejoined the convoy which was under heavy attack from Axis aircraft and Italian warships. The next day she returned to Malta with the two surviving merchant ships and their escort. The ship then returned to Gibraltar, and then to Scotstoun for repairs.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
On 13 July the ship rejoined Force H at Gibraltar, sailing for Malta once again in |
On 13 July the ship rejoined Force H at Gibraltar, sailing for Malta once again in Operation Pinpoint the next day. She arrived at Malta on 16 July and returned to Gibraltar on 21 July, despite attempts by Italian ships and aircraft to intercept her.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
In August she took part in another fiercely contested Malta |
In August she took part in another fiercely contested Malta [[Operation Pedestal]]. She arrived on 16 August, then was transferred to the [[Eastern Mediterranean]] in September. In October she made another voyage to Malta with Force H, delivering aircraft in Operation Train and returning to Gibraltar on 2 November. ''Welshman'' then supported the Allied landings in North Africa in [[Operation Torch]]. In December she conducted minelaying operations off [[Haifa]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
||
In January 1943 ''Welshman'' transported stores, including 150 tons of [[potato|seed potatoes]], to Malta before carrying out minelaying operations in the [[Skerki Banks|Skerki Channel]], across the Axis evacuation route from [[Tunisia]]. She also transferred troops from [[Beirut]] to [[Famagusta]], Cyprus.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
In January 1943 ''Welshman'' transported stores, including 150 tons of [[potato|seed potatoes]], to Malta before carrying out minelaying operations in the [[Skerki Banks|Skerki Channel]], across the Axis evacuation route from [[Tunisia]]. She also transferred troops from [[Beirut]] to [[Famagusta]], Cyprus.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> |
Revision as of 21:19, 1 October 2016
![]() HMS Welshman, 1942
| |
History | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Name | HMS Welshman |
Ordered | 21 March 1939 |
Builder | Hawthorn Leslie, Hebburn |
Laid down | 8 June 1939 |
Launched | 4 September 1940 |
Completed | 25 August 1941 |
Honours and awards | Malta Convoys, 1942 |
Fate | Sunk, 1 February 1943 |
Badge | On a Field barry wavy of six white and blue, a dragon rampant Red, supporting in the paws a trident Gold. |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Template:Sclass- |
Displacement |
|
Length | |
Beam | 40 ft (12 m) |
Draught |
|
Propulsion |
|
Speed |
|
Range | 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) at 38 kn (70 km/h; 44 mph) |
Complement | 242 |
Armament |
|
Service record | |
Part of: | |
Operations: |
HMS Welshman was an Template:Sclass- of the Royal Navy. During World War II she served with the Home Fleet carrying out minelaying operations, before being transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet in mid-1942 for the Malta Convoys. She also saw service during Operation Torch. The ship was torpedoed and sunk off Tobruk by the German submarine U-617 with the loss of 157 lives.[1]
Service history
Home Fleet, 1941–1942
Commissioned in late August 1941, Welshman sailed to Scapa Flow to join the Home Fleet, before assignment to the 1st Minelaying Squadron at the Kyle of Lochalsh in September. She conducted minelaying operations in the waters off western Scotland before being detached in December for deployment in the Bay of Biscay.[1]
In January 1942 she transported stores and personnel to Gibraltar, Freetown and Takoradi before deploying to the Strait of Dover in early February to lay mines across the routes likely to be used in the event of a breakout by German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst. After a refit, Welshman resumed minelaying operations in the Bay of Biscay in April.[1]
Force H, 1942–1943
In May 1942 she sailed to the Mediterranean to join Force H in the Malta Convoys. On 8 May Welshman sailed from Gibraltar disguised as a French destroyer, with 240 tons of stores and RAF personnel aboard, in "Operation Bowery". She was sighted by enemy aircraft the next day, but her deception succeeded. On entering the Grand Harbour at Malta on 10 May she detonated two mines with her paravanes, sustaining some damage. She returned to Gibraltar on 12 May, and sailed to the UK for repairs at Yarrows at Scotstoun, returning to Gibraltar at the end of the month.[1]
On 11 June Welshman sailed for Malta as part of the relief convoy in Operation Harpoon. The next day she left the convoy and proceeded alone. After discharging her cargo at Malta on 15 June she rejoined the convoy which was under heavy attack from Axis aircraft and Italian warships. The next day she returned to Malta with the two surviving merchant ships and their escort. The ship then returned to Gibraltar, and then to Scotstoun for repairs.[1]
On 13 July the ship rejoined Force H at Gibraltar, sailing for Malta once again in Operation Pinpoint the next day. She arrived at Malta on 16 July and returned to Gibraltar on 21 July, despite attempts by Italian ships and aircraft to intercept her.[1]
In August she took part in another fiercely contested Malta convoy, Operation Pedestal. She arrived on 16 August, then was transferred to the Eastern Mediterranean in September. In October she made another voyage to Malta with Force H, delivering aircraft in Operation Train and returning to Gibraltar on 2 November. Welshman then supported the Allied landings in North Africa in Operation Torch. In December she conducted minelaying operations off Haifa.[1]
In January 1943 Welshman transported stores, including 150 tons of seed potatoes, to Malta before carrying out minelaying operations in the Skerki Channel, across the Axis evacuation route from Tunisia. She also transferred troops from Beirut to Famagusta, Cyprus.[1]
Sinking
On 1 February 1943, while transporting stores and personnel to Tobruk she was hit by a torpedo fired by U-617, commanded by Albrecht Brandi. Two hours later she sank east of Tobruk in position 32°12′N 24°52′E / 32.200°N 24.867°E. The survivors were rescued by destroyers Tetcott and Belvoir and taken to Alexandria.[1]
References