HMS Snowflake (K211) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.[1] The ship participated in both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Arctic convoys of World War II.[2][3][4]
Construction
editThe ship was ordered 3 Aug 1940 and laid down at Smith's Dock Company on 19 May 1941.[1] The ship was launched 22 Aug 1941.[1]
Career
editThe ship was commissioned 2 Nov 1941.[1]
In April and May 1942, the ship was assigned to Convoy ONS 5.[2][3] During this convoy, the ship commenced a depth charge attack on an Asdic contact on the evening of the 28th April.[2] The ship remained continuously in action from then on engaging U-boat contacts.[2] During the battle, U-532 launched six torpedoes at the ship.[5] The closest one missed Snowflake by about 20 yards (18 m).[5] After U-532 dived, Snowflake dropped three depth charges on the initial ASDIC contact and ten depth charges when contact was regained at 2,000 yards (1.8 km).[5] Snowflake regained ASDIC contact at 1,400 yards (1.3 km) and dropped another pattern of ten depth charges.[5] On the morning of 6 May the ship recorded her 10th separate attack on a U-boat.[2]
On 6 May 1943, the ship was engaged in anti-submarine warfare with HMS Sunflower in the Western Atlantic Ocean.[6] On manoeuvring to attack German submarine U-125, the submarine which was already damaged was scuttled with Snowflake's intended attack accounting for her sinking.[6]
On 14 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship inflicted minor damage on the submarines U-304 and U-636.[7] On 19 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship was credited with the sinking of German submarine U-381 following a successful depth charge attack.[4]
However, on 12 June 1943, the ship's Commander reported to the Admiralty that a lack of training in communication procedures was a factor in why more submarines had not been sunk in anti-submarine patrols.[8]
In 1947, the ship was converted for use as a weather ship.[9] She was broken up in Dublin in 1962.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "HMS Snowflake (K 211) of the Royal Navy". uboat.net. 1940-08-03. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ a b c d e Cherrett, Martin (2023-05-06). "Convoy fights U-Boat Wolfpack". by Martin Cherrett. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
- ^ a b Syrett, David (2018-10-24). The Battle of the Atlantic and Signals Intelligence. Boydell & Brewer. p. 147-153. ISBN 978-1-351-20767-6.
- ^ a b Dimbleby, Jonathan (2016). The Battle of the Atlantic. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 418. ISBN 978-0-19-049585-5.
- ^ a b c d Gannon, Michael (1998). Black May. London: Aurum Press. p. 136-138. ISBN 1-85410-588-4.
- ^ a b Niestlé, Axel (2014-06-30). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Frontline Books. p. 164. ISBN 978-1-4738-3829-1.
- ^ Niestlé, Axel (2014-06-30). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. Frontline Books. p. 41. ISBN 978-1-4738-3829-1.
- ^ Haslop, Dennis (2013-11-07). Britain, Germany and the Battle of the Atlantic. London: A&C Black. p. 226. ISBN 978-1-4725-1163-8.
- ^ a b "Weather Watcher". Ocean Weather Ships. 1941-08-22. Retrieved 2024-10-06.
