Blankney HMS 1940.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:09 pm
BLANKNEY. Destroyer. Hunt Class type II. Pennant No. L30 Built by John Brown for Royal Navy. Launched 19th December 1940. Laid down 17th May 1940. Completed 11th April 1941. L264'3"pp, L282'6"oa, B31'6", Dr17', 7'10" mean. 1,050tons. 1,610 fulload. Parsons Geared steam turbines 19,000 shp 27kn. (29kn designed.) Armament six 4" DP, four 2-pdr pom-poms. two 20mm AA (Later fitted with Two 20mm Oerlikon guns.) Complement 146. Class of some 33 vessels. Designed mainly for convoy escort work, did not have the speed or tubes of the fleet destroyers. 2 Admiralty 3-drum type boilers. Oil fuel 280 tons.
First served with the Home Fleet before joining the Irish Sea Escort Force in Western Approaches Command, where she experienced her first action. SS ARCHANGEL which she was escorting, was attacked by three German aircraft which succeeded in sinking her. BLANKNEY remained in Horne waters until Nov 1941 when she was despatched to Gibraltar with stores for the RAF. Then attached to the 13th Destroyer Flotilla The followinq month she formed part of the escort for Convoy HG76. On return to Gibraltar joined Force H. In April 42 joined the Home Fleet at Scapa. From here took part in escorting convoys between Iceland and North Russia.
Two months later back in the Mediterranean forming part of Operation 'Harpoon'. Rejoined the Home fleet.
In July 1943 joined the 58th Destroyer Division based in Algiers. The same month was present at the Sicily landings. Pounded the Pozzallo area before affecting a landing to accept the surrender of the town.
Followinq repairs in Malta participated in the landings at Salerno on 9th September 1943, providing covering fire for the landinq parties. Returned to escort duties and in March 1944 formed part of a force that attacked and sank the German submarine U -450.
In May 1944 sailed back to England to take part in escorting convoys involved in the Normandy landings.
In 1945 joined the East Indies Fleet after a refit at Simonstown. Hostilities ceased while she was being refitted and she never made it to her new station.
Returned to England and the Reserve Fleet.
Arrived at Hughes Bolckow March 1959 for breaking up.
Ships Crest - Gibraltar 1989 22p SG616 (T Broadley WP May 95)
First served with the Home Fleet before joining the Irish Sea Escort Force in Western Approaches Command, where she experienced her first action. SS ARCHANGEL which she was escorting, was attacked by three German aircraft which succeeded in sinking her. BLANKNEY remained in Horne waters until Nov 1941 when she was despatched to Gibraltar with stores for the RAF. Then attached to the 13th Destroyer Flotilla The followinq month she formed part of the escort for Convoy HG76. On return to Gibraltar joined Force H. In April 42 joined the Home Fleet at Scapa. From here took part in escorting convoys between Iceland and North Russia.
Two months later back in the Mediterranean forming part of Operation 'Harpoon'. Rejoined the Home fleet.
In July 1943 joined the 58th Destroyer Division based in Algiers. The same month was present at the Sicily landings. Pounded the Pozzallo area before affecting a landing to accept the surrender of the town.
Followinq repairs in Malta participated in the landings at Salerno on 9th September 1943, providing covering fire for the landinq parties. Returned to escort duties and in March 1944 formed part of a force that attacked and sank the German submarine U -450.
In May 1944 sailed back to England to take part in escorting convoys involved in the Normandy landings.
In 1945 joined the East Indies Fleet after a refit at Simonstown. Hostilities ceased while she was being refitted and she never made it to her new station.
Returned to England and the Reserve Fleet.
Arrived at Hughes Bolckow March 1959 for breaking up.
Ships Crest - Gibraltar 1989 22p SG616 (T Broadley WP May 95)