Contents

1. HOME WATERS - 2. FOREIGN STATIONS - 3. DOMINION NAVIES

1. HOME WATERS

Naval Commands, and Sub Commands/ship locations within them, are listed approximately north to south/east to west

HOME FLEET

Adm Sir Charles M Forbes

 

2nd Battle Squadron (Rear Adm Lancelot E Holland) - battleships NELSON (comp 10 Sep 27, Flag, Forbes), RAMILLIES (5 May 17), RESOLUTION (7 Dec 16, Flag, Holland), RODNEY (10 Nov 27), ROYAL OAK (1 May 16), ROYAL SOVEREIGN (18 Apr 16).

 

Battlecruiser Squadron (Rear Adm William J Whitworth) - HOOD (comp 15 May 20, Flag, Whitworth), REPULSE (18 Aug 16)

 

Aircraft carriers (Vice Adm Lionel V Wells) - ARK ROYAL (comp 16 Nov 38, Flag, Wells), FURIOUS (1 Sep 25 as aircraft carrier), destroyers BEAGLE (15 May 31), BOREAS (9 Jun 31)

 

2nd Cruiser Squadron (Vice Adm Sir George F B Edwards-Collins) - heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND (comp 23 Feb 28), light cruisers BELFAST (3 Aug 39), EDINBURGH (6 Jul 39, to relieve SOUTHAMPTON), GLASGOW (9 Sep 37), NEWCASTLE ( 5 Mar 37), SHEFFIELD (25 Aug 37), SOUTHAMPTON (comp 6 Mar 37, Flag, Edwards-Collins)

 

Destroyer Flotillas (Rear Adm Ronald H C Hallifax) - light cruiser AURORA (right - Navy Photos) (Flag, comp 12 Nov 37)

 

6th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt R S G Nicholson) - ASHANTI (comp 21 Dec 38), BEDOUIN (15 Mar 39), ESKIMO (30 Dec 38), MASHONA (28 Mar 39), MATABELE (25 Jan 39), SOMALI (12 Dec 38, Leader), TARTAR (10 Mar 39), PUNJABI (29 Mar 39)

 

7th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt P J Mack) - ECHO (comp 25 Oct 34), ENCOUNTER (9 Nov 34), JACKAL (13 Apr 39), JAVELIN (10 Jun 39), JERSEY (28 Apr 39), JERVIS (12 May 39, Leader), JUPITER (22 Jun 39)

 

8th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt C S Daniel) - FAME (comp 26 Apr 35), FAULKNOR (24 May 35, Leader), FEARLESS (22 Dec 35), FIREDRAKE (30 May 35), FORESIGHT (15 May 35), FORESTER (29 Mar 35), FORTUNE (27 Apr 35), FOXHOUND (6 Jun 35), FURY (18 May 35)

 

Fleet Target Service - target ship CENTURION (comp 22 May 1913 as battleship), destroyer SHIKARI (Jul 24), netlayer GUARDIAN (1932), tugs BANDIT (blt 38), BUCCANEER (1937), ST CYRUS (1919)

 

Submarines (Rear Adm Bertram Chalmers Watson, Rear Adm S, ashore at Fort Blockhouse DOLPHIN)

 

2nd Submarine Flotilla (Capt W D Stephens on FORTH) - depot ship FORTH (comp 14 May 39), destroyer MACKAY (19 May 19), submarines CACHALOT (7 May 38), NARWHAL (11 Mar 36), PORPOISE (15 Jan 33), SEAHORSE (26 Jul 33), STARFISH (27 Oct 33)

 

Admiralty drifters (All blt 1918, except WHIRLPOOL in 1919) - CLOUD (attendant to aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL), COLDSNAP (battleship RODNEY), FUMAROLE (heavy cruiser CUMBERLAND), HALO (aircraft carrier FURIOUS), HARMATTAN (light cruiser SHEFFIELD), HORIZON (battleship ROYAL OAK), LEEWARD (battlecruiser HOOD), LUNAR BOW (light cruiser SOUTHAMPTON), MIST (depot ship FORTH), NOONTIDE (battleship RESOLUTION), SEABREEZE (battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN), SHOWER (light cruiser NEWCASTLE), SUNDOWN (battlecruiser REPULSE) lost in stranding on 30 Aug 39 at Sullom Voe, SHEEN (light cruiser GLASGOW), WHIRLPOOL (battleship RODNEY)

 

 

LOCAL DEFENCE AND TRAINING ESTABLISHMENTS, PATROL FLOTILLAS ETC

 

 

ROSYTH COMMAND

 

Boys' Training Ship - CALEDONIA (blt 1921 as White Star liner MAJESTIC, acquired 1936 by the Royal Navy)

 

Destroyer - SABRE (comp 9 Nov 18)

 

Boom defence vessels - BARBARIAN (blt 1937), BARFAIR (1938), BARFIELD (1938), BAYONET (1939), BOWNET (1939), MARTINET (1938)

 

Clyde

 

Boom defence vessel - BARMOUTH (blt 38)

 

 

NORE COMMAND

 

Attached to Gunnery School - shore Establishment PEMBROKE, training ship MARSHAL SOULT (comp Nov 15 as monitor)

 

Cadet training ship - former cruiser VINDICTIVE (comp 21 Sep 18)

 

Attached to Mechanical Training Establishment - depot ship SANDHURST (blt 1905, acquired 1914)

 

Emergency destroyers - BLANCHE (comp 9 Jun 31), BOADICEA (9 Jun 31), BRILLIANT (9 Jun 31)

 

Harwich

 

Boom defence vessel - DUNNET (1936)

 

Dover

 

Boom defence vessel - FALCONET (1938)

 

 

PORTSMOUTH COMMAND

 

Attached to Navigational School HMS DRYAD - minesweepers ALRESFORD (comp 25 May 19, tender to DRYAD), SALTBURN (17 Mar 19)

 

Gunnery Firing and Boys' Training Ship - IRON DUKE (comp 10 Mar 14 as battleship)

 

Gunnery and Torpedo School Cruiser - light cruiser CURACOA (comp 18 Feb 18), to be relieved by light cruiser DAUNTLESS

 

Drifter - INDIAN SUMMER (blt 1918)

 

Local Destroyer Flotilla - ANTELOPE (comp 30 Mar 30), ARROW (14 Apr 30), EXMOUTH (9 Nov 34), KEMPENFELT (30 May 32, SO), SARDONYX (12 Jul 19), SCIMITAR (13 Apr 18), VANOC (15 Aug 17), escort ship WHITLEY (14 Oct 18 as destroyer, 15 Nov 38 as escort ship)

 

Boom defence vessels - BARCOMBE (blt 1938), BARRAGE (1937)

 

Attached to Gunnery School - monitor EREBUS (comp Sep 1916), minesweeper TEDWORTH (26 Jun 17), trawler EXCELLENT (blt 1918), tugs ST FAGAN (1919), ST MARTIN (1919)

 

Attached to Torpedo School - destroyers ACASTA (comp 14 Feb 30), ACHERON (13 Oct 31), ANTHONY (14 Feb 30), AMAZON (9 May 27), SKATE (Feb 17), minelayers LINNET (18 Jun 38), RINGDOVE (9 Dec 38), PLOVER (27 Sep 37), minesweeping trawler WILLOW (blt 1930), mining tender NIGHTINGALE (1931), motor torpedo boats MTB.22 (comp 9 Jun 39), MTB.100 (28 Apr 38), MTB.102 (Dec 1937)

 

5th Submarine Flotilla (Capt C GB Coltart) - tender DWARF (blt `936), destroyer WINCHELSEA (comp 15 Mar 18), submarines H.43 (25 Nov 19), L. 23 (26 Aug 24), L. 26 (11 Oct 26), SEAL (28 Jan 39), SEAWOLF (11 Jan 36), STERLET (18 Dec 37), SUNFISH (13 Mar 37), THISTLE (6 May 39), TRITON (20 Aug 38), TRIUMPH (4 Mar 39), UNDINE (23 Apr 38)

 

Reserve Submarine Flotilla

Group A - OBERON (comp 24 Sep 26), OTWAY (15 Jun 27), OXLEY (1 Apr 27)

Group B - OSIRIS (11 Dec 28), OSWALD (1 Mar 29)

Group D - H.34 (10 Sep 19), H.44 (15 Apr 20), H.49 (25 Oct 19)

 

Portland

 

Fishery Defence Flotilla (Capt E A Aylmer) - sloops HASTINGS (comp 27 Nov 30, Captain Fishery Protection and Minesweeping), PELICAN (1 Apr 39), minesweepers GOSSAMER (31 Mar 38), LEDA (17 May 38), minesweeping trawlers BOYNE (blt 1918), COLNE (1918), DOON (1917), LILAC (1930), MASTIFF (1938)

 

1st Minesweeping Flotilla (Capt R O FitzRoy) - minesweepers BRAMBLE (comp 20 Jun 39), HAZARD (23 Nov 37), HEBE (2 Oct 37, SO), HUSSAR (15 Jul 39), NIGER (4 Jun 36), SALAMANDER (18 Jul 36), SEAGULL (19 Jul 38), SHARPSHOOTER (20 Jan 38), SPEEDY (7 Apr 39), SPHINX (27 Jul 39)

 

6th Minesweeping Flotilla - minesweeping trawlers CEDAR (blt 1933), CYPRESS (1930), HOLLY (1930), LAUREL (1930), MAGNOLIA (1930), SYCAMORE (1930) SYRINGA (1930, SO)

 

1st Anti-Submarine Flotilla (Cdr G F Stevens-Guille) - sloop BITTERN (comp 15 Mar 38, SO), destroyers VANQUISHER (2 Oct 17), WALKER (12 Feb 18), WALPOLE (7 Aug 18), patrol sloops KINGFISHER (18 Jun 35), KITTIWAKE (29 Apr 37), MALLARD (15 Jul 36), PUFFIN (1 Sep 36), SHELDRAKE (5 Apr 38), WIDGEON (10 Jun 38), anti-submarine trawlers BASSET (blt 1935), SAPPHIRE (1935), TOPAZE (1935), TOURMALINE (1935), TURQUOISE (1935)

 

6th Submarine Flotilla (Cdr J S Bethell) - tender ELFIN (blt 1933), destroyer ACHATES (comp 27 Mar 30), submarines H.32 (4 Jun 19), H.33 (22 May 19), L.27 (24 Mar 26), SPEARFISH (5 Sep 36), STURGEON (15 Dec 32), SWORDFISH (16 Sep 32), UNITY (13 Aug 38), URSULA (29 Oct 38)

 

Reserve Submarine Flotilla - depot ship ALECTO (1911), submarines H.28 (comp 5 Jul 18), H.31 (21 Feb 19), H.50 (3 Feb 20)

 

1st Motor Anti-Submarine Boat Flotilla (Lt Cdr H W Falcon-Steward) – MA/SB.1 (comp 13 Apr 38), MA/SB.2 (15 May 39), MA/SB.3 (13 Jun 39), MA/SB.4 (30 Jul 39), MA/SB.5 (21 Jul 39)

 

Boom Defence Vessel - trawler CORONET (blt 1917)

 

 

DEVONPORT COMMAND

 

Attached to Torpedo School - minelayer MELPOMENE (ex-monitor M.31, 1915)

 

Aircraft carrier - HERMES (comp 19 Feb 24)

 

Attached to RN Engineering College - destroyer CODRINGTON (comp 4 Jun 30)

 

Emergency destroyers - ARDENT (comp 23 Apr 30), BASILISK (15 May 31), BRAZEN (10 Jun 31)

 

 

 

SHIPS UNDER REPAIR, REFIT/ALTERATIONS IN HOME PORTS

 

Nore

 

Seaplane tender - PEGASUS (comp as seaplane tender Jul 1917) sent to Rosyth and then on to Scapa Flow before end of Sep

 

Destroyers - VIVIEN (comp 25 May 18) to complete as escort ship 25 Oct 39, WOOLSTON (28 Jun 18) to complete as escort ship 9 Oct 39, WORCESTER (20 Sep 22) to complete 4 May 40

 

Minesweeping trawlers - LARCH (blt 1928), MYRTLE (28), OAK (28)

 

Chatham

 

Heavy cruiser - LONDON (comp 31 Jan 29) to complete 10 Feb 41,

 

Destroyer - VETERAN (comp 13 Nov 19) to complete 6 Nov 39

 

Sloop - ROCHESTER (comp 24 Mar 32) working up after refit prior to transfer to China.

 

Minesweeping trawler - TAMARISK (blt 1929)

 

 Portsmouth

 

Battleship - QUEEN ELIZABETH (comp 19 Jan 15) to complete 31 Jan 41,

 

Battlecruiser - RENOWN (comp 20 Sep 16) to complete 28 Aug 39

 

Heavy cruiser - SUFFOLK (c31 May 28) to complete 23 Sep 39

 

Cruiser - FROBISHER (comp 20 Sep 24) to complete 13 Feb 42

 

Anti-aircraft ship - COVENTRY (comp 21 Feb 18) as anti-aircraft ship 15 Nov 35, to complete refit 20 Aug 39

 

Destroyers - AMBUSCADE (comp 19 Apr 27) to complete 27 May 40, WINCHESTER (29 Apr 18) to complete as escort ship 9 Apr 40

 

Sloop - WESTON (21 Feb 33) refitting to complete 12 Sep 39

 

Yachts - VICTORIA & ALBERT (blt 1899) converting to accommodation ship, ENCHANTRESS (comp 4 Mar 36) refitting to original role of sloop, to complete Aug 1939

 

Devonport

 

Battleships - REVENGE (comp 1 Feb 16) to complete 5 Aug 39, VALIANT (19 Feb 16) to complete 11 Dec 39

 

Heavy cruiser - NORFOLK (comp  30 Apr 30) to complete beginning of Sep 39

 

Light cruiser - CARLISLE (comp 16 Nov 18) to complete conversion to anti-aircraft ship 12 Jan 40

 

Destroyers - WESTMINSTER (comp 18 Apr 18) to complete as escort ship 8 Jan 40, VALENTINE (27 Jun 17) to complete as escort ship 28 Mar 40, VEGA (4 Dec 17) to complete as escort ship 27 Nov 39

 

Sloop - STORK (comp 10 Sep 36) refitting to complete 9 Sep 39

 

Submarine - THAMES (comp  14 Sep 32) refitting to complete 15 Jun 40

 

Liverpool

 

Escort ship - WALLACE (comp 29 Jan 19) as escort ship 14 Jun 39, to complete 27 Aug 39

 

 

 

MAINTENANCE RESERVE AT ROSYTH

 

Depot ships - COCHRANE (acquired 1915 as AMBROSE, Capt P K Kekewich, SO), GREENWICH (acquired 1915)

 

Light cruiser - CAPETOWN (comp 10 Apr 22)

 

Destroyers - MALCOLM (comp 14 Dec 19), VANESSA (24 Apr 18), VANITY (21 Jun 18), VANSITTART (5 Nov 19), VENOMOUS (28 Apr 19), VERDUN (3 Nov 17), VIVACIOUS (Dec 17), WITHERINGTON (10 Oct 19), WIVERN (23 Dec 19)

 

Anti-submarine trawlers - AMETHYST (blt 1934), AGATE (1934), CORNELIAN (1933), JASPER (1932), PEARL (1934), RUBY (1933)

 

 

 

RESERVE FLEET

Vice Adm Sir Max K Horton at Portsmouth

 

Nore

 

Light cruisers - CALEDON (comp 6 Mar 17, SORF, Capt C P Clark), DELHI (7 Jun 19), DRAGON (16 Aug 18), EMERALD (14 Jan 26)

 

Anti-aircraft ships- CALCUTTA (comp 21 Aug 19) as anti-aircraft ship Jul 39, CURLEW (20 Dec 17), as anti-aircraft ship 18 Jan 36

 

Destroyers - CAMPBELL (comp 21 Dec 18), ELECTRA (17 Sep 34), ENCOUNTER (9 Nov 34) when relieved by new destroyer in 7th Destroyer Flotilla, ESCORT (30 Oct 34), KEITH (9 Jun 31), KEPPEL (15 Apr 25), VALOROUS (21 Aug 17) in 1 Jun 39 conversion to escort ship), VELOX (1 Apr 18), VERSATILE (11 Feb 18), VESPER (20 Feb 18), VOLUNTEER (7 Nov 19), WAKEFUL (20 Nov 17), WANDERER (18 Sep 19), WHIRLWIND (28 Mar 18), WOLFHOUND (27 Apr 18)

 

Escort sloop - LUPIN (comp 9 Jun 16)

 

Patrol sloop - PC.74 (comp 2 Dec 19)

 

Minesweepers - HALCYON (comp 17 Apr 34), HARRIER (9 Nov 34), SELKIRK (17 Mar 19), SKIPJACK (3 May 34), SPEEDWELL (4 Oct 35)

 

Minesweeping trawler - FOYLE (blt 1918)

 

Survey ships - KELLET (comp as minesweeper 13 Jun 19), FITZROY (as minesweeper 7 Jul 19). FITZROY was deployed as a boys' training ship at Chatham until Nov 39. From Dec 39 through Feb 40, both KELLET and FITZROY were refitted as minesweepers at Chatham.

 

Portsmouth

 

Cruiser - EFFINGHAM (comp 9 Jul 25, Flag, Horton)

 

Aircraft carrier - ARGUS (comp 14 Sep 18)

 

Heavy cruiser - HAWKINS (comp 23 Jul 19)

 

Light cruisers - DANAE (comp 22 Jun 18), DAUNTLESS (26 Nov 18) was to relieve light cruiser CURACOA as Gunnery and Torpedo School Cruiser when CURACOA went to Chatham for conversion to anti-aircraft ship, DESPATCH (30 Jun 22), DUNEDIN (13 Sep 19), DURBAN (31 Oct 21), ENTERPRISE (31 Mar 26)

 

Anti-aircraft ship - CAIRO (comp 14 Oct 19) as anti-aircraft ship May 39

 

Destroyers - ESK (comp 2 Oct 34), EXPRESS (3 Nov 34), SALADIN (11 Apr 19), STURDY (15 Oct 19), VERITY (17 Sep 19), VICEROY (8 Jan 18), VIMIERA (19 Sep 17), VIMY (9 Mar 18), VORTIGERN (25 Jan 18), WESSEX (11 May 18), WHITEHALL (9 Jul 24), WHITSHED (11 Jul 19), WILD SWAN (14 Nov 19), WINDSOR (28 Aug 18), WOLVERINE (27 Jul 20), WREN (27 Jan 23)

 

Escort sloops - ROSEMARY (comp 16 Jan 16), FOXGLOVE (5 May 15)

 

Minesweeping trawlers - BLACKWATER (blt 1918), DEE (1916), GARRY (1916), JAMES LUDFORD (1919), KENNET (1916), LIFFEY (1916)

 

Drifter - EBBTIDE (blt 1917)

 

Destroyer - BRUCE (comp 29 May 18) disarmed for use as target, placed in dockyard control at Portsmouth 8 Sep 37

 

Devonport

 

Aircraft carrier - COURAGEOUS (comp 5 May 28 as aircraft carrier)

 

Light cruisers - CALYPSO (comp 21 Jun 17), CARADOC (15 Jun 17), CARDIFF (25 Jun 17, Flag, Vice Adm, Destroyers, Reserve Fleet, Vice Adm R H T Raikes), CERES (1 Jun 17), COLOMBO (18 Jun 19, SORF, Capt R J R Scott), DIOMEDE (7 Oct 22)

 

Minelaying cruiser - ADVENTURE (comp 6 May 27)

 

Seaplane carrier - ALBATROSS (comp 23 Jan 29)

 

Destroyers - BROKE (comp 20 Jan 25), ECLIPSE (1 Dec 34), ESCAPADE (3 Sep 34), MONTROSE (14 Sep 18), STRONGHOLD (2 Jul 19), VENETIA (27 Dec 17), VIDETTE (27 Apr 18), VISCOUNT (4 Mar 18), WARWICK (20 Mar 18), WATCHMAN (26 Jan 18), WITCH (Mar 24)

 

Minesweeping trawler - EDEN (blt 1918)

 

---

 

 

2.  FOREIGN STATIONS

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

Adm Sir Andrew Cunningham

 

1st Battle Squadron (Vice Adm Geoffrey Layton) - Battleships BARHAM (comp 4 Oct 15, Flag, Layton), MALAYA (19 Feb 16), RAMILLIES (5 May 17) at Portsmouth from 21 Jul to 8 Aug, then to Invergordon via Rosyth arriving on 13 Aug, WARSPITE (19 Mar 15, Flag, Cunningham)

 

Aircraft Carrier - GLORIOUS (comp 10 Mar 30 as aircraft carrier), attendant destroyer BULLDOG (comp 9 Jun 31)

 

1st Cruiser Squadron (Vice Adm John H D Cunningham) - heavy cruisers DEVONSHIRE (comp 18 Mar 29, Flag, Cunningham), SUSSEX (19 Mar 29), SHROPSHIRE (12 Sep 29)

 

3rd Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm Henry R Moore) - light cruisers ARETHUSA (comp 23 May 35, Flag, Moore), PENELOPE (13 Nov 36, refitting at Portsmouth)

 

Destroyer Flotillas (Rear Adm John C Tovey) - light cruiser GALATEA (comp 14 Aug 35, Flag, Tovey), depot ship WOOLWICH (blt 1934)

 

1st Destroyer Flotilla (Capt G E Creasy) - GALLANT (comp 25 Feb 36), GARLAND (3 Mar 36), GIPSY (22 Feb 36), GLOWWORM (22 Jan 36), GRAFTON (20 Mar 36), GRENADE (28 Mar 36), GRENVILLE (1 Jul 36, Leader), GREYHOUND (31 Jan 36), GRIFFIN (6 Mar 36)

 

2nd Destroyer Flotilla (Capt B A W Warburton-Lee) - HARDY (comp 10 Dec 36, Leader), HASTY (11 Nov 36), HEREWARD (9 Dec 36), HERO (23 Oct 36), HOSTILE (10 Sep 36), all en route from UK after refitting. HAVOCK (16 Jan 37), HOTSPUR (29 Dec 36), HUNTER (30 Sep 36), HYPERION (3 Dec 36) had all proceeded to UK for refit in mid Aug

 

3rd Destroyer Flotilla (Capt A G Talbot) - ICARUS (comp 3 May 37), ILEX (7 Jul 37), IMOGEN (2 Jun 37), IMPERIAL (30 Jun 37), IMPULSIVE (29 Jan 38), INGLEFIELD (25 Jun 37, Leader), INTREPID (29 Jul 37), ISIS (2 Jun 37), IVANHOE (24 Aug 37)

 

4th Destroyer Flotilla (Capt G H Creswell) - AFRIDI (comp 3 May 38, Leader), COSSACK (14 Jun 38), GURKHA (21 Oct 38), MAORI (5 Dec 38), MOHAWK (9 Sep 38), NUBIAN (6 Dec 38), SIKH (12 Oct 38), ZULU (7 Sep 38)

 

1st Submarine Flotilla (Capt Philip Ruck-Keene) - depot ship MAIDSTONE (comp 5 May 38, Flag, Ruck-Keene), destroyer DOUGLAS (30 Aug 18), submarines CLYDE (9 Feb 35), SEVERN (24 Jun 34), SALMON (5 Jan 35), SEALION (22 Sep 34), SHARK (5 Oct 34), SNAPPER (19 Mar 35)

 

Escort vessels - sloops ABERDEEN (comp 15 Sep 36), WESTON (departed Gibraltar on 22 Jun for refitting at Portsmouth)

 

1st Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla - trawler VULCAN (blt 1933), motor torpedo boats MTB.1 (comp 5 Apr 37), MTB.2 (13 Aug 36), MTB.3 (24 Aug 36), MTB.4 (22 Sep 36), MTB.5 (12 Oct 36), MTB.6 (17 Nov 36), MTB.14 (25 Oct 38), MTB.15 (17 Feb 39), MTB.16 (3 Mar 39), MTB.17 (13 Mar 39), MTB.18 (24 Mar 39), MTB.19 (17 May 36)

 

Netlayer - PROTECTOR (comp 30 Dec 36)

 

Minelayer - MEDUSA (comp 1915 as monitor M.29)

 

Fleet Target Service - trawlers MOY (blt 1917), OUSE (1917)

 

Tug - BRIGAND (blt 1937)

 

Hospital ship - MAINE (acquired 1920)

 

Malta Reserve - destroyers WOLSEY (comp 14 May 18), WRESTLER (15 May 18), minesweepers ALBURY (17 Feb 19), DUNOON (19 Jun 19, SO, Minesweepers), DUNDALK (2 May 19), motor minesweepers MMS.1 (comp 1938), MMS.2 (1938), depot ship CYCLOPS (blt 1905), repair ship RESOURCE (1928), anti-submarine trawlers AMBER (1934), BERYL (1935), CORAL (1935), JADE (1933), MOONSTONE (1934), drifters CRESCENT MOON (1918), EDDY (1918), LANDFALL (1918), SUNSET (1918), tug ST ISSEY (1918), boom defence vessel MAGNET (1938)

 

Alexandria Reserve - minesweepers ELGIN (comp 17 Mar 19), FERMOY (23 Jul 19, SO, Minesweepers, Egypt), LYDD (18 Dec 19), PANGBOURNE (8 May 18, SO), ROSS (27 Aug 19), SALTASH (31 Oct 18), SUTTON (23 Aug 18)

 

Gibraltar Reserve - depot ship CORMORANT (Flag, Rear Adm N A Wodehouse), destroyers ACTIVE (comp 9 Feb 30), WISHART (28 May 20), WRYNECK (9 Nov 18), tugs ST DAY (blt 1918), ST OMAR (1919)

 

 

SOUTH ATLANTIC/AFRICA STATION

Vice Adm G H D'Oyly Lyon based at Simonstown

 

6th Cruiser Squadron (Vice Adm d'Oyly Lyon) - light cruiser NEPTUNE (comp 12 Feb 34, Flag)

 

Escort sloops - AUCKLAND (comp 16 Nov 38), BRIDGEWATER (13 Mar 29), LONDONDERRY (17 Sep 35), MILFORD (20 Dec 32),

 

Minesweeping trawlers - MAPLE (blt 1929), REDWOOD (1928)

 

Boom defence vessels at Freetown - BARBROOK (blt 1938), BARCASTLE (1938)

 

 

AMERICA & WEST INDIES STATION

Vice Adm Sir Sidney Meyrick

 

8th Cruiser Squadron (Vice Adm Sir Sidney Meyrick) - heavy cruisers BERWICK (comp 15 Feb 28, Flag), YORK (1 May 30), light cruisers ORION (18 Jan 34), AJAX (12 Apr 35)

 

Heavy cruiser - EXETER (comp 23 Jul 31, Flag, Capt Henry Harwood, Cdre South America Station)

 

Escort sloops - DUNDEE (comp 31 Mar 33), PENZANCE (15 Jan 31)

 

 

EAST INDIES STATION

Rear Adm Ralph Leatham

 

4th Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm R Leatham) - light cruisers GLOUCESTER (comp 31 Jan 39, Flag, Leatham), LIVERPOOL (2 Nov 38), MANCHESTER (4 Aug 38)

 

Depot ship - LUCIA (blt 1907)

 

Escort sloops (Red Sea Division, Capt J C Annesley DSO) - EGRET (SNO, comp 10 Nov 38), FLEETWOOD (17 Nov 36)

 

Escort sloops (Persian Gulf Division, Capt C M Graham) - DEPTFORD (14 Aug 35), FOWEY (9 Sep 31), SHOREHAM (SNO, comp 27 Oct 31)

 

Boom defence vessel (at Trincomalee) - BARBETTE (blt 1937)

 

Boom defence vessel - trawler BARNET (blt 1919)

 

 

CHINA STATION

Adm Sir Percy Noble

 

5th Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm A J L Murray) - heavy cruisers CORNWALL (comp 8 May 28, Flag, Murray), DORSETSHIRE (30 Sep 30), KENT (25 Jun 28, Flag, Noble), light cruiser BIRMINGHAM (18 Nov 37)

 

Aircraft carrier - EAGLE (comp 13 Apr 20, but not for operations until 20 Feb 24)

 

21st Destroyer Flotilla (Capt G R B Back) - DAINTY (comp 3 Jan 33), DARING (25 Nov 32), DECOY (17 Jan 33), DEFENDER (31 Oct 32), DELIGHT (31 Jan 33), DIAMOND (3 Nov 32), DIANA (20 Dec 32), DUCHESS (27 Jan 33), DUNCAN (5 Apr 33, Leader). DUNCAN was damaged in a collision with a battle practice target off Wei-hai-wei on 11 July. Temporary repairs were carried out in four days alongside submarine depot ship MEDWAY at Wei-hai-wei and DUNCAN arrived at Hong Kong on 19 Jul for repairs completed on 7 Aug

 

4th Submarine Flotilla (Capt G M K Keble-White) - depot ship MEDWAY (comp 3 Jul 29, Flag, Keble-White), destroyer WESTCOTT (12 Apr 18), submariness ODIN (comp 8 Jul 29), OLYMPUS (25 Sep 29), ORPHEUS (2 Apr 30), OTUS (5 Jun 29), PANDORA (23 May 30), PARTHIAN (6 Oct 30), PERSEUS (8 Mar 30), PHOENIX (29 Nov 30), PROTEUS (28 Apr 30), RAINBOW (27 Oct 31), REGENT (20 Sep 30), REGULUS (1 Nov 30), ROVER (13 Dec 30), minelayers GRAMPUS (7 Nov 36), RORQUAL (21 Nov 36)

 

Escort sloops - BIDEFORD (comp 25 Nov 31, on station in Jun to relieve GRIMSBY}, FALMOUTH (25 Oct 32), FOLKESTONE (1 Jul 30), GRIMSBY (17 May 34, departed China Station in July after being relieved by BIDEFORD, attached to East Indies Command during passage to England), LOWESTOFT (20 Nov 34), SANDWICH (22 Mar 29)

 

2nd Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla - motor torpedo boats MTB.7 (comp 31 Aug 38, SO), MTB.8 (3 Sep 37), MTB.9 (8 Oct 37), MTB.10 (11 Jul 38), MTB.11 (26 Jul 38), MTB.12 (3 Aug 38)

 

Yangtze (China) Gunboats – DRAGONFLY (comp 5 Jun 39), FALCON (30 Sep 31), GANNET (6 Mar 28), GRASSHOPPER (13 Jun 39), PETEREL (29 Nov 27), SANDPIPER (30 Aug 33), SCORPION (14 Dec 38, Flag, Rear Adm R V Holt, SNO, Yangtze), TERN (15 Nov 27), old gunboats APHIS (11 Nov 15), COCKCHAFER (Apr 16), CRICKET (Feb 16), GNAT (24 Apr 16), LADYBIRD (May 16), MANTIS (5 Dec 15, for disposal), SCARAB (1916)

 

West River (China) Gunboats (Capt F C Flynn) - CICALA (comp Feb 16), MOTH (5 Jan 16), ROBIN (23 Jul 34), SEAMEW (1 Apr 28), TARANTULA (SNO, West River, comp 1 Jun 16)

 

Hong Kong - destroyers SCOUT (comp 15 Jun 18), TENEDOS (11 Jun 19), THANET (30 Aug 19), THRACIAN (1 Apr 22), minelayer REDSTART (1 Nov 38), tug ST BREOCK (blt 1919), boom defence vessels BARLANE (1938), BARLIGHT (1938)

 

Singapore - monitor TERROR (comp 2 Aug 16, used as base ship), survey ship ENDEAVOUR (blt 1912, used as boom defence depot ship at Singapore), boom defence vessels BARRICADE (1938), BARRIER (1938), tug ST JUST (1918)

 

2nd Minesweeping Flotilla (in reserve at Singapore) - minesweepers ABERDARE (comp 3 Oct 18), ABINGDON (6 Nov 18, SO), BAGSHOT (1 May 19), DERBY (21 Oct 18), FAREHAM (1 Sep 18), HARROW (23 Oct 18), HUNTLEY (22 May 19), STOKE (30 Oct 18), WIDNES (17 Sep 18)

 

Trawler - FASTNET (blt 1919)

 

---

 

 

3. DOMINION NAVIES

 

 

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY

Rear Adm Wilfred N Custance RN

 

Cruiser Squadron (Rear Adm Custance) - heavy cruiser CANBERRA (comp 10 Jul 28, Flag), light cruisers SYDNEY (begun as HMS PHAETON and acquired by RAN in 1935 while under construction, comp 24 Sep 35), HOBART (comp 13 Jan 36 as HMS APOLLO, to RAN on 28 Sep 38), PERTH (comp 6 Jul 36 as HMS AMPHION, to RAN on 29 Jun 39)

 

Destroyers - VAMPIRE (comp 22 Sep 17), VENDETTA 17 Oct 17, Leader), VOYAGER (24 Jun 18),

 

Escort sloops - SWAN (comp 21 Jan 37), YARRA (21 Jan 36)

 

Depot ship - PENGUIN (blt 1916)

 

Survey ship - MORESBY (comp as sloop 14 May 18)

 

Refitting - heavy cruiser AUSTRALIA (comp 24 Apr 28)

 

In Reserve - light cruiser ADELAIDE (comp 5 Aug 22), destroyers STUART (21 Dec 18), WATERHEN (17 Jul 18)

 

 

ROYAL CANADIAN NAVY

Under control of the Canadian Department of National Defence

Chief of Staff Rear Adm P W Nelles RCN

 

Commanding Officer East Coast

 

Shore establishment – STADACONA (Capt H E Reid RCN)

 

Destroyers (at Halifax) - SAGUENAY (comp 22 May 31), SKEENA (10 Jun 31)

 

Minesweeping trawlers (at Halifax) - GASPE (comp 21 Oct 38), FUNDY (1 Sep 38)

 

Trawlers - YPRES (blt 1917), FESTUBERT (1917)

 

Training ship - VENTURE (blt 1905)

 

Commanding Officer West Coast

 

Shore establishment – NADEN (Capt V G Brodeur RCN)

 

Destroyers (at Esquimalt) - FRASER (comp as HMS CRESCENT 21 Apr 32, transferred to RCN 17 Feb 37), OTTAWA (comp as HMS CRUSADER 2 May 32, transferred 15 Jun 38), RESTIGOUCHE (comp as HMS COMET 2 Jun 32, transferred 15 Jun 38), ST LAURENT (comp as HMS CYGNET 5 Apr 32, transferred 17 Feb 37),

 

Minesweeping trawlers (at Esquimalt) - ARMENTIERES (blt 1917), COMOX (comp 23 Nov 38), NOOTKA (6 Dec 38)

 

Training ship - trawler SKIDEGATE (blt 1899)

 

 

 

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION of the ROYAL NAVY

Under the control of the New Zealand Navy Board

Capt J W Rivett-Carnac, DSC, Cdre 2/c RN on LEANDER

 

Light cruisers - ACHILLES (comp 10 Oct 33), LEANDER (24 Mar 33)

 

Escort sloops - LEITH (comp 10 Jul 34), WELLINGTON (22 Jan 35)

 

Trawler - WAKAKURA (blt 1917)

 

Ketch – VIKING, Boy’s sail training vessel, length 67ft, comm Jun 1937, tender to PHILOMEL

on to British and Dominion Warship Construction
or back to RN Day-by-Day Homepage

revised 7/4/12

Volume 1 of an expanded version of "British and Other Navies in World War 2 Day-by-Day"

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