ST HELENA HMS 1944

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ST HELENA HMS 1944

Post by shipstamps » Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:02 pm


The intention was to built her as the Patrol Gunboat PG-194
15 April 1943 was she redesignated as a Patrol Frigate PASLEY (PF 86) for the USS Navy, one of the Tacoma Class.
10 June 1943 assigned to the British Royal Navy under the Lend-Lease Program.
22 September 1943 laid down, under the Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1668), hull No PF 86, on the yard of Welsh-Kaiser Co. Inc., Providence, RI.
20 October 1943 launched under the name HMS ST HELENA (K 590) and sponsored by Mrs. Antonio Castellucci.
Displacement 1.318 ton, dim. 304 x 37.6 x 12ft. (draught).
Powered by two vertical triple expansion steam engines, 5.500 ihp., twin shafts, speed 20 knots.
Bunker capacity 645 tons, radius 9.500 miles at 12 knots.
Armament 3 – 3 inch AA 4 – 40mm AA, 4 – 20mm guns. One Hedgehog and depth charge throwers.
Crew 214 during war.
19 February 1944 delivered to the Royal Navy.

Of this class 96 were built of which 21 were handed over to the British Royal Navy, under which the HMS ST HELENA one of the Colony Class under British flag.
The class was a mass produced warship built on American shipyards. And the design was with slight modifications including an all welled hull a River Class design.
She never visited St Helena Island, and during the war used as an escort vessel for the convoys and patrol vessel.
08 April 1946 returned to Norfolk, Va.
23 April decommissioned and handed back to the U.S. Navy, and given the name ST HELENA (PF 86).
19 June 1946 struck from the Navy List.
01 April 1947 transferred to the Maritime Commission, and she was delivered to the Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester, Pa., on 01 July.
28 October 1947 was she scrapped.

Source: American Gunboats and Minesweepers WW II by H.T.Lenton. http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/08086.htm http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/patrol/pf86.htm

ATLANTIC STAR MEDAL.

The Atlantic Star Medal, issued to commemorate the Battle of the Atlantic, was awarded by the Royal Navy for service between 3 September 1939 and 8 May 1945.
Qualification also extended to merchant Navy and some RAF and Army personnel who served afloat or operated over the designated waters. Recipients who also qualified for the France and Germany Star or Air Crew Europe Star would have a bar with the relevant title, which would be worn on the ribbon.

St Helena Post leaflet.

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