HMS Geranium (K16)

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

HMS Geranium seen during the Second World War

HMS Geranium (K16) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. ^[1] She was later sold to Denmark and renamed Thetis.

Construction and career

Royal Navy

The ship was ordered 25 July 1939 and laid down 21 September 1939 at William Simmons & Co. in Renfrew, Scotland. ^{[1] [2]} The ship was launched on 23 April 1940 and commissioned 24 June 1940. ^[1]

In August 1942, the ship participated in Operation Pedestal, a British convoy to supply Malta. ^{[3] [4]} In the operation, she was assigned to Force R along with 3 other corvettes and a tug to protect the fleet oil tankers: RFA Brown Ranger and RFA Dingledale. ^[3] She was under the command of A.Foxall, RNR. ^{[3] [5]}

In 1943, the ship was operating in the Atlantic engaged in anti-submarine warfare. ^[6] On 31 October, together with HMS Whitehall she sunk the U-Boat U-306 with depth charges and hedgehog attacks. ^[6]

Danish Navy

The ship was sold to the Royal Danish Navy in 1945. ^{[7] [8]} They renamed her Thetis (F340) and she entered service. ^[7] The ship was scrapped in 1963. ^{[7] [8]}

Honours

The ship featured on a 2012 Maltese postal stamp. ^[9]

References

1. "HMS Geranium (K 16) of the Royal Navy". uboat.net. 1939-07-25. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
2. Preston, Antony; Raven, Alan; Roberts, John (1982). Flower Class Corvettes. ISBN   978-0-85368-559-3.
3. Henshaw, John (2024-02-16). Malta's Savior. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 261. ISBN   978-1-4766-4853-8.
4. Thomas, David A. (1998-12-17). Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy. Pen and Sword. ISBN   978-1-4738-1226-0.
5. Rodgaard, John A (2024-06-30). A Hard Fought Ship. Seaforth Publishing. p. 252. ISBN   978-1-0361-1237-0.
6. Syrett, David (1994). The Defeat of the German U-boats. Columbia, S.C: Univ of South Carolina Press. p. 233. ISBN   978-0-87249-984-3.
7. "HDMS Thetis F 340 UK Flower class Frigate Corvette Royal Danish Navy Kongelige Danske Marine". Seaforces Online. 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
8. "THETIS (1945-1963), Corvette". Danish Naval History (in Danish). 1951-04-01. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
9. "HMS Geranium 2012". Stampmeister. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2024-09-24.