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HMS Bligh (K467)
Encyclopedia
HMS Bligh was a Buckley
class Captains class
frigate active during World War II
. She was named after William Bligh
, commander of at the Battle of Camperdown
during the French Revolutionary War, and commander of the Bounty
.
Originally destined for the US Navy, HMS Bligh was provisionally given the name USS Liddle (later this name was reassigned to DE 206
); however, the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy
before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr. RE Blyth RNVR and Lt Cdr. JW Cooper RNR.
, the English Channel
, and off Normandy
.
On 6 May 1944, Bligh, together with , and two Swordfish aircraft
(Sqdn. 825) of the British escort carrier , attacked and sank the submarine U-765
at position 52°30′N 28°28′W using depth charges, resulting in the loss of 37 hands.
On 7 November 1944, an accidental firing of an anti-aircraft gun while docked at Liverpool caused both death and injury on the troopship RMS Capetown Castle
.
On 27 January 1945, Bligh, along with and attacked and destroyed the submarine U-1172 with depth charges, causing the loss of all 52 hands at position 52°24′N 05°42′W.
Buckley class destroyer escort
The Buckley class destroyer escorts were 102 destroyer escorts launched in the United States in 1943 - 1944. They served in World War II as convoy escorts and anti-submarine warfare ships. The lead ship was USS Buckley which was launched on 9 January 1943. The ships had General Electric steam...
class Captains class
Captain class frigate
The Captain class were 78 frigates of the Royal Navy, constructed in the United States, launched in 1942–1943 and delivered to the United Kingdom under the provisions of Lend-Lease. They served in World War II as convoy escorts, anti-submarine warfare vessels and coastal forces control frigates...
frigate active during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. She was named after William Bligh
William Bligh
Vice Admiral William Bligh FRS RN was an officer of the British Royal Navy and a colonial administrator. A notorious mutiny occurred during his command of HMAV Bounty in 1789; Bligh and his loyal men made a remarkable voyage to Timor, after being set adrift in the Bounty's launch by the mutineers...
, commander of at the Battle of Camperdown
Battle of Camperdown
The Battle of Camperdown was a major naval action fought on 11 October 1797 between a Royal Navy fleet under Admiral Adam Duncan and a Dutch Navy fleet under Vice-Admiral Jan de Winter...
during the French Revolutionary War, and commander of the Bounty
HMS Bounty
HMS Bounty , famous as the scene of the Mutiny on the Bounty on 28 April 1789, was originally a three-masted cargo ship, the Bethia, purchased by the British Admiralty, then modified and commissioned as His Majesty's Armed Vessel the...
.
USS Liddle (DE-206)
USS Liddle , a of the United States Navy, was named in honor of Pharmacist's Mate Third Class William P. Liddle , who was killed in action, while serving with the 1st Marine Division, during the Battle of Guadalcanal on 19 August 1942...
); however, the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr. RE Blyth RNVR and Lt Cdr. JW Cooper RNR.
Actions
HMS Bligh served exclusively with the 5th Escort Group taking part in operations in the Eastern AtlanticAtlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
, and off Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
.
On 6 May 1944, Bligh, together with , and two Swordfish aircraft
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was a torpedo bomber built by the Fairey Aviation Company and used by the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during the Second World War...
(Sqdn. 825) of the British escort carrier , attacked and sank the submarine U-765
Unterseeboot 765
German submarine U-765 was a German Type VII U-boat created for service in World War II. U-765 was notable for not suffering any casualties until the time of her sinking...
at position 52°30′N 28°28′W using depth charges, resulting in the loss of 37 hands.
On 7 November 1944, an accidental firing of an anti-aircraft gun while docked at Liverpool caused both death and injury on the troopship RMS Capetown Castle
RMS Capetown Castle
RMMV Capetown Castle, a motor vessel, was launched on 23 September 1937 as a passenger liner for Union-Castle Line. In 1940, the progress of World War II caused her conversion to a troop ship, a role she filled until 1946, when she returned to civilian service.-References:See an account of life on...
.
On 27 January 1945, Bligh, along with and attacked and destroyed the submarine U-1172 with depth charges, causing the loss of all 52 hands at position 52°24′N 05°42′W.
General information
- Pennant (UK): K 467
- Pennant (US): DE 76
- Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)