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The ship was adopted by the civil community of Axbridge, Somerset, during the National Warship Week campaign in March 1942.
The Type III Hunt-class was designed to meet the Royal Navy's demand for numerous small destroyers capable of both fleet work and convoy escort. The Type III design added a twin torpedo launcher amidships, in place of the third twin 4-inch gun mount seen on earlier variants. The Type III ships could be identified by their upright funnel with a sloped cap and vertical mast. Fourteen ships had stabilisers omitted to allow additional fuel storage.
Sensors included Type 291 and 285 radar, and Type 128 sonar.English 1987, pp.12–13 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFEnglish1987 (help) Crew complement was 168.Gardiner & Chesneau 1980, p.47 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFGardinerChesneau1980 (help)Lenton 1970, p.89
Service history
Second World War
1943
Following trials and commissioning, Goathland joined the Home Fleet at Scapa Flow in early 1943. She transferred to Portsmouth in January, joining the 15th Destroyer Flotilla for coastal patrols and escort duties in the English Channel and Western Approaches. She took part in an unsuccessful interception of the German blockade runner Togo.Mason, Geoffrey B. (2004). Gordon Smith (ed.). "HMS Goathland (L27) - Type III, Hunt-class Escort Destroyer". naval-history.net. Retrieved 7 September 2018. Smith 1984 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFSmith1984 (help)
On 27 April, Goathland and Albrighton(L12) attacked a German convoy including the Italian blockade runner Butterfly, sustaining minor damage from return fire. She encountered German Schnellboote off Portland on 29 May, and again on 3 September with Limbourne(L57).
Ahead of the Normandy landings, Goathland was withdrawn and converted into a command ship in Liverpool under Rosyth Command. Modifications included enhanced communications equipment, extra accommodation for command staff, and upgraded AA weaponry.
1944
In February 1944, she was recommissioned as a command ship and relocated to Invergordon, Scotland, to support Exercise Fabius with the 3rd Infantry Division and Force S. She joined Force S at Portsmouth in April, continuing amphibious training with Forces G and J off Littlehampton and Brighton.Edwards 2105 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFEdwards2105 (help)
On 3 June, Goathland joined military convoy S2 at Spithead for the Normandy invasion. D-Day was delayed 24 hours due to poor weather, and she sailed on 5 June. On 6 June, she directed the amphibious landings of the 8th Infantry Brigade off Sword Beach, remaining on station until 17 June. After refuelling, she returned on 19 June, destroying two floating mines on 21 June. She was later tasked with patrolling the eastern attack sector.
On 3 July, patrolling with Bleasdale(L50), she rescued a downed German pilot, transferring the prisoner to the United States Navy the following day. She continued in patrol and rescue roles until 24 July, when she was torpedoed, suffering severe structural damage. One shaft, turbine and generator were damaged, and she was towed back to England.
Repairs were limited to restoring mobility. Due to the extent of damage and resource priorities, she was laid up at Portsmouth and the crew reassigned. In October, she was moved to the Clyde.
Post-war
Following the end of hostilities, Goathland was declared surplus and sold to BISCO for scrapping by West of Scotland Shipbreaking at Troon. She arrived under tow in February 1946.
Battle Honours
Atlantic 1943
English Channel 1943
North Sea 1944
Normandy 1944
References
Bibliography
Blackman, Raymond V.B. (1962). Jane's Fighting Ships 1962–63. Sampson Low: Marston & Co..
Blair, Clay (2000). Hitler's U-Boat War: The Hunters 1939–1942. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN 0-304-35260-8.
English, John (2001). Afridi to Nizam: British Fleet Destroyers 1937–43. Gravesend: World Ship Society.
English, John (1987). The Hunts: A history of the design, development and careers of the 86 destroyers of this class built for the Royal and Allied Navies during World War II. World Ship Society. ISBN 0-905617-44-4.
Lenton, H.T. (1970). Navies of the Second World War: British Fleet & Escort Destroyers: Volume Two. London: Macdonald & Co. ISBN 0-356-03122-5.
Rohwer, Jürgen & Hümmelchen, Gerhard (1992). Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945. London: Greenhill Books. ISBN 1-85367-117-7.
Whitley, M.J. (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.
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