HMS Auckland (L61)

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For other ships with the same name, see HMS Auckland.

Auckland in January 1939
History
United Kingdom
NameAuckland
BuilderDenny of Dumbarton, Scotland
Laid down16 June 1937
Launched30 June 1938
Commissioned16 November 1938
IdentificationPennant number: L61
FateSunk 24 June 1941
General characteristics [1]
Class and typeEgret-class sloop
Displacement1,200 tons
Length276 ft (84 m)
Propulsion
  • Geared
    steam turbines
    on two shafts
  • 3,600 shp (2,700 kW)
Speed19.25 knots (35.65 km/h; 22.15 mph)
Complement188
Armament
  • 8 ×
    4-inch (102 mm)
    (4 × 2)
  • 4 ×
    0.5-inch (13 mm)
    (1 × 4)

HMS Auckland (L61) was an

Mediterranean
in June 1941.

Construction

Auckland was ordered on 5 March 1937 from

survey ship around New Zealand. However, with the approach of war, Auckland was modified during her build for service as a convoy escort and anti-submarine warfare ship. She was completed on 16 November 1938.[2]

Service history

At the outbreak of the Second World War Auckland was stationed at Simonstown in South Africa. She was briefly employed in hunting for raiders in the South Atlantic before returning to the UK with convoy SL 9.

In January 1940 Auckland was stationed at Rosyth, serving as escort to east coast convoys in the North Sea.

In April Auckland took part in

Andalsnes.[3]

In May Auckland was transferred to the Mediterranean for service in the Red Sea. After a refit she served as a convoy escort in the Red Sea, and in October was involved in the action around convoy BN 7.[4]

After a further refit in January 1941 Auckland joined the Mediterranean fleet. In April she was involved in an action in the Kasos strait, defending a troop convoy against an attack by Italian destroyers.[5]

In May she was escorting convoys to Tobruk, which was under siege by Axis forces in North Africa.

Fate

On 24 June 1941 Auckland was in company with

Australian sloop HMAS Parramatta, escorting the oiler Pass of Balmaha to Tobruk. In the evening of 24 June they were attacked by Axis aircraft. Auckland was hit several times and wrecked; her crew abandoned ship and she sank. Most of her crew, 162 men, were saved by Parramatta.[6][7]

Notes

  1. ^ Campbell, p. 57
  2. ^ G Mason, HMS Auckland
  3. ^ Roskill p183-4
  4. ^ O'Hara p102
  5. ^ O'Hara p116
  6. ^ Roskill p519
  7. ^ O'Hara p124

References

  • Campbell, N. J. M. (1980). "Great Britain (including Empire Forces)". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 2–85.
    ISBN 0-85177-146-7
    .
  • Colledge, J. J.; Warlow, Ben & Bush, Steve (2020). Ships of the Royal Navy: The Complete Record of all Fighting Ships of the Royal Navy from the 15th Century to the Present (5th revised and updated ed.). Barnsley, UK: Seaforth Publishing.
    ISBN 978-1-5267-9327-0
    .
  • Hague, Arnold (1993). Sloops: A History of the 71 Sloops Built in Britain and Australia for the British, Australian and Indian Navies 1926–1946. Kendal, UK: World Ship Society.
    ISBN 0-905617-67-3
    .
  • ISBN 1-55750-048-7
    .
  • ISBN 978-1-84486-102-6
  • ISBN 1-59114-119-2
    .
  • Stephen Roskill: The War at Sea: vol I (1954)

External links

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