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HMS Byard (K315)
Encyclopedia
HMS Byard was a Buckley
class Captains class frigate
during World War II
. Named Sir Thomas Byard
, who commanded at the Battle of Camperdown
in 1797 during the French Revolutionary Wars
.
Originally destined for the US Navy HMS Byard was provisionally given the name USS Donaldson (this name was reassigned to DE 44
) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy
before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr L H Phillips RN February 1943, Lt Cdr K Ferris RNVR January 1944 and Lt J I Jones RN June 1944.
.
On 17 October 1943, HMS Byard was escorting an Atlantic convoy which was attacked by a wolf pack of 16 submarines east of Cape Farewell, Greenland
. During the ensuing battle HMS Byard sank the submarine U-841 at position 59°57′N 31°06′W, by the use of depth charges resulting in 27 dead and 27 survivors from U-841's crew. This action made HMS Byard the first Captains class frigate to destroy a Kriegsmarine
submarine.
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 frigate
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...
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...
. Named Sir Thomas Byard
Thomas Byard
Captain Sir Thomas Byard was an officer of the British Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary Wars. He is best known for his service in two significant battles, fighting at the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 and the Battle of Tory Island in 1798. In these engagements Byard was highly praised for...
, who commanded 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...
in 1797 during the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
.
Originally destined for the US Navy HMS Byard was provisionally given the name USS Donaldson (this name was reassigned to DE 44
USS Donaldson (DE-44)
USS Donaldson was an of the United States Navy during World War II. She was sent off into the Pacific Ocean to protect convoys and other ships from Japanese submarines and fighter aircraft...
) 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 L H Phillips RN February 1943, Lt Cdr K Ferris RNVR January 1944 and Lt J I Jones RN June 1944.
Actions
HMS Byard served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in the North 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...
.
On 17 October 1943, HMS Byard was escorting an Atlantic convoy which was attacked by a wolf pack of 16 submarines east of Cape Farewell, Greenland
Cape Farewell, Greenland
Cape Farewell , is a headland on the southern shore of Egger Island, Greenland. Located at it is the southernmost extent of Greenland, projecting out into the North Atlantic Ocean and the Labrador Sea on the same latitude as Stockholm and the Scottish Shetland Islands. Egger and the associated...
. During the ensuing battle HMS Byard sank the submarine U-841 at position 59°57′N 31°06′W, by the use of depth charges resulting in 27 dead and 27 survivors from U-841's crew. This action made HMS Byard the first Captains class frigate to destroy a Kriegsmarine
Kriegsmarine
The Kriegsmarine was the name of the German Navy during the Nazi regime . It superseded the Kaiserliche Marine of World War I and the post-war Reichsmarine. The Kriegsmarine was one of three official branches of the Wehrmacht, the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.The Kriegsmarine grew rapidly...
submarine.
General information
- Pennant (UK): K 315
- Pennant (US): DE 55
- Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)