RN Frigates: Type 15 Anti Submarine Conversions

[timlewin]

thanks Jim, super pics. I see she has the same "training" bridge as Urchin, nothing like introducing the cadets to the oggin by copping a faceful

[jbryce1437]

My old ship, HMS Undaunted, ended her days as a target, first by Sea Slug missile then later, by torpedo.

Jim

undaunted-target.jpg

damage from sea slug 2.jpg

damage from sea slug 1.jpg

Undaunted after sea slug.JPG

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[ivorthediver]

Never mind Jim , I'm sure the good memories were worth there weight i'm sure

[Brian James]

Type 15 Fast ASW Frigate (Ex V Class Destroyer) HMS Vigilant pictured from HMS Illustrious,1953.

[Brian James]

Type 15 ASW Frigate HMS Virago pictured conducting a RAS procedure with HMS Illustrious during Exercise Mariner '53..Virago was converted from a V Class Destroyer in 1951/52......She was transferred to the Eastern Fleet in January 1945. On March 26th 1945 she, along with the Destroyers Saumarez, Volage, and Vigilant, intercepted a Japanese supply convoy east of Khota Andaman, Andaman Islands in the Indian Ocean. She and Vigilant sank the Japanese submarine chaser CH-34.
She patrolled the Malacca Strait and supported Operation Dracula off the coast of Burma in late April 1945 as part of the 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron. Virago subsequently participated in the Battle of the Malacca Strait with Saumarez, Verulam, Venus and Vigilant which culminated in the sinking of the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Haguro in the early morning of May 16th 1945. This was a textbook Destroyer night action, and was the last naval gun battle of the Second World War. Later in the afternoon of May 16th, Virago was ordered to refuel from the carrier HMS Hunter. As the two ships closed, they were suddenly bombed by Japanese aircraft in a surprise attack and splinters from a near miss killed five of Virago's crew (Hunter was unscathed). These were the only casualties on board Virago during the entire war. Virago subsequently participated in preparations for Operation Zipper (the invasion of Malaya) in July/August 1945, and its eventual execution as a reoccupation manoeuvre in September 1945 following the surrender of Japan. Based in Hong Kong with the British Pacific Fleet after VJ day, Virago returned to Chatham, Kent in December 1945.

[timlewin]

Virago and her sister Venus ended up in the Dartmouth Training Squadron, DTS, under the command of Captain Terry Lewin in 1961-3 with others of the T15 class;-
Urchin
Wizard
Vigilant
Roebuck
Venus
virago
Tenby
Torquay
Although not all at the same time, Venus and virago were used mainly for seaman training, the others for Dartmouth cadets.

Happy times
tim

[oldsalt]

The top left attachment of Vigilant when magnified shows the porthole at the after end of the Tiffy's mess on the bulkhead at the forr'd end of the Limbo space. Vigilant, I think was the only Type 15 with this porthole. The story is that during conversion an enterprising Tiffy drew the marks for the porthole.

[timlewin]

they were fine ships, built to a budget, semi-disposable in what was a real emergency but filled a long and useful role, and for us (me included for my little exposure) provided a living link to dangers of the sea and violence of the enemy they were thrown into service against.
tim

[Pelican]

HMS Wakeful's Ships Company 2nd Dec 1953

[Pelican]

WAKEFUL

The R.N. rescuing an USAF rescue plane.