HMS Berwick (65)
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (June 2008) |
History | |
---|---|
United Kingdom | |
Name | HMS Berwick |
Builder | Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Govan |
Laid down | 15 September 1924 |
Launched | 30 March 1926 |
Commissioned | 12 July 1927 |
Decommissioned | 1946 |
Identification | Pennant number 65 |
Fate | Allocated to British Iron & Steel Corporation for scrapping on 15 June 1948 and arrived at Hughes Bolckow, Blyth, on 12 July for breaking up. |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | County-class heavy cruiser |
Displacement |
|
Length | 630 ft (190 m) |
Beam | 68 ft 3 in (20.80 m) |
Draught | 16 ft 3 in (4.95 m) |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | 31.5 knots (58.3 km/h) |
Range | 3,100 nautical miles at 31.5 knots (5,740 km at 58 km/h), 13,300 nautical miles at 12 knots (24,600 km at 22 km/h); 3,400 tons (3,450 t) fuel oil |
Complement | 700 |
Armament |
|
Armour | |
Aircraft carried | Three aircraft with one catapult, removed in 1942 |
HMS Berwick,
History
After these modifications, she completed her
On 9 April 1940 she participated in the
On 25 December 1940, Berwick engaged the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper off the Canaries when she formed part of the escort to convoy WS-5A, a troop convoy to the Middle East. Despite being thoroughly ready for combat, Berwick got the worst of the encounter. She scored no hits on Admiral Hipper, and sustained a fair amount of damage, being hit by several 8-inch (which for the most part passed right through the ship) and 4.1-inch shells. The action did however, drive off Admiral Hipper, and saved the convoy from any losses. Four of her complement were killed and she had to return to Britain for repairs, which lasted until June 1941.
When repaired Berwick joined the
After the war she was allocated to BISCO for scrapping on 15 June 1948 and arrived at Hughes Bolckow, Blyth, on 12 July for breaking up.
Citations
- ^ "H.M.S. BERWICK HERE FROM ENGLAND: To Succeed York as Fleet Flagship Very Shortly". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 19 January 1939. p. 1.
- ^ "KING'S COLOURS TAKEN BY H.M.S. BERWICK. Admiral Meyrick Present at Ceremony Yesterday. YORK SAILS FOR HOME TODAY". The Royal Gazette. City of Hamilton, Pembroke, Bermuda. 31 March 1939. Pages 1, 2, and 7.
- ISBN 978-1473849693.
- ^ "Royal Navy casualties, killed and died, November 1940". www.naval-history.net.
- ISBN 978-1-59114-648-3.
- ISBN 978-1-59114-648-3.
- ^ "Norman Vere Grace, RN". www.uboat.net. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ Simon Orchard, "THE EVACUATION OF FINNMARK & THE RE-ENTRY OF NORWEGIAN FORCES INTO NORWAY, OCT 1944-MAY 1945." [1]
References
- Campbell, N.J.M. (1980). "Great Britain". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. New York: Mayflower Books. pp. 2–85. ISBN 0-8317-0303-2.
- ISBN 978-1-59114-078-8.
- Raven, Alan & Roberts, John (1980). British Cruisers of World War Two. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-922-7.
- ISBN 1-59114-119-2.
- ISBN 1-86019-874-0.