HMS Snowflake (K211)

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HMS Snowflake seen underway during the Second World War HMS Snowflake FL5546.jpg
HMS Snowflake seen underway during the Second World War

HMS Snowflake (K211) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. [1] The ship participated in both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Arctic convoys of World War II. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Construction

The ship was ordered 3 Aug 1940 and laid down at Smith's Dock Company on 19 May 1941. [1] The ship was launched 22 Aug 1941. [1]

Career

The ship was commissioned 2 Nov 1941. [1]

In April and May 1942, the ship was assigned to Convoy ONS 5. [2] [3] During this convoy, the ship commenced a depth charge attack on an Asdic contact on the evening of the 28th April. [2] The ship remained continuously in action from then on engaging U-boat contacts. [2] During the battle, U-532 launched six torpedoes at the ship. [5] The closest one missed Snowflake by about 20 yards (18 m). [5] After U-532 dived, Snowflake dropped three depth charges on the initial ASDIC contact and ten depth charges when contact was regained at 2,000 yards (1.8 km). [5] Snowflake regained ASDIC contact at 1,400 yards (1.3 km) and dropped another pattern of ten depth charges. [5] On the morning of 6 May the ship recorded her 10th separate attack on a U-boat. [2]

On 6 May 1943, the ship was engaged in anti-submarine warfare with HMS Sunflower in the Western Atlantic Ocean. [6] On manoeuvring to attack German submarine U-125, the submarine which was already damaged was scuttled with Snowflake's intended attack accounting for her sinking. [6]

On 14 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship inflicted minor damage on the submarines U-304 and U-636. [7] On 19 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship was credited with the sinking of German submarine U-381 following a successful depth charge attack. [4]

However, on 12 June 1943, the ship's Commander reported to the Admiralty that a lack of training in communication procedures was a factor in why more submarines had not been sunk in anti-submarine patrols. [8]

In 1947, the ship was converted for use as a weather ship. [9] She was broken up in Dublin in 1962. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "HMS Snowflake (K 211) of the Royal Navy". uboat.net. 1940-08-03. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Cherrett, Martin (2023-05-06). "Convoy fights U-Boat Wolfpack". by Martin Cherrett. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
  3. 1 2 Syrett, David (2018-10-24). The Battle of the Atlantic and Signals Intelligence. Boydell & Brewer. pp. 147–153. ISBN   978-1-351-20767-6.
  4. 1 2 Dimbleby, Jonathan (2016). The Battle of the Atlantic. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 418. ISBN   978-0-19-049585-5.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Gannon, Michael (1998). Black May. London: Aurum Press. pp. 136–138. ISBN   1-85410-588-4.
  6. 1 2 Niestlé, Axel (2014-06-30). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Frontline Books. p. 164. ISBN   978-1-4738-3829-1.
  7. ↑ Niestlé, Axel (2014-06-30). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Frontline Books. p. 41. ISBN   978-1-4738-3829-1.
  8. ↑ Haslop, Dennis (2013-11-07). Britain, Germany and the Battle of the Atlantic. London: A&C Black. p. 226. ISBN   978-1-4725-1163-8.
  9. 1 2 "Weather Watcher". Ocean Weather Ships. 1941-08-22. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
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