HMS Vervain (K190)
Encyclopedia
HMS Vervain was a Flower-class
corvette
of the Royal Navy
. She served during the Second World War
.
On 28 February 1943 the liberty ship
SS Wade Hampton was torpedoed by U-405 while sailing in a convoy from New York
to Murmansk
, Russia
. Survivors were picked up by Vervain, SS Bayano and HMS Beverly
near Greenland
.
On 20 February 1945 at 11.45 hours Vervain was escorting a homeward-bound
convoy when she was sunk by a torpedo from the U-boat
U-1276, under Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Heinz Wendt about 25 miles south-east of Dungarvan
, Ireland
, south of Waterford
. Vervain sank after 20 minutes. Three officers and 30 ratings were rescued.
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
corvette
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
of 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...
. She served during the Second World War
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...
.
On 28 February 1943 the liberty ship
Liberty ship
Liberty ships were cargo ships built in the United States during World War II. Though British in conception, they were adapted by the U.S. as they were cheap and quick to build, and came to symbolize U.S. wartime industrial output. Based on vessels ordered by Britain to replace ships torpedoed by...
SS Wade Hampton was torpedoed by U-405 while sailing in a convoy from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to Murmansk
Murmansk
Murmansk is a city and the administrative center of Murmansk Oblast, Russia. It serves as a seaport and is located in the extreme northwest part of Russia, on the Kola Bay, from the Barents Sea on the northern shore of the Kola Peninsula, not far from Russia's borders with Norway and Finland...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. Survivors were picked up by Vervain, SS Bayano and HMS Beverly
USS Branch (DD-197)
USS Branch was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Beverley to serve during World War II.-As USS Branch:...
near Greenland
Greenland
Greenland is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of Denmark, located between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Though physiographically a part of the continent of North America, Greenland has been politically and culturally associated with Europe for...
.
On 20 February 1945 at 11.45 hours Vervain was escorting a homeward-bound
convoy when she was sunk by a torpedo from the U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
U-1276, under Oberleutnant zur See Karl-Heinz Wendt about 25 miles south-east of Dungarvan
Dungarvan
Dungarvan is a town and harbour on the south coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. Dungarvan is the county town and administrative centre of County Waterford. The town's Irish name means "Garbhan's fort", referring to Saint Garbhan who founded a church there in the seventh century...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, south of Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
. Vervain sank after 20 minutes. Three officers and 30 ratings were rescued.