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HMS Castleton (1940) DD (1st) |
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This the first ship to carry the name HMS Castleton was a
Town Class, destroyer. One of 50 sold to the Royal Navy under the
destroyers for bases agreement. Originally the USS Aaron Ward DD132, built by Bath Iron Works, laid down 01-Aug-1918, launched 10-Apr-1919, commissioned in the US Navy 21-Apr-1919, commissioned in the Royal Navy 09-Sep-1940 and renamed. Joined the 17th Flotilla, Western Approaches Command on 09-Oct-1940 for convoy escort duty. Two collisions on 01 and 03-Dec-1940 were repaired at Portsmouth and were not completed until 07-Mar-1941 as alterations, refit and air-raid damage while in port delayed her return to service. Joined the 1st Minelaying Squadron until Nov-1941. One of her on-board scuttling charges exploded while escorting an Icelandic convoy and repairs at Newport, Monmouth took from Nov-1941 to Apr-1942 to complete. After this she continued with escort work. Refitted at Cardiff from Dec-1942 until Mar-1943 when she joined Rosyth Command as 1st Minelaying Squadron had been disbanded. Spent a short time from late 1943 to Jan-1944 as an Air Target Ship then joined the Rosyth Escort Force for duty with East Coast convoys. Returned to duty as Air Target Ship on Oct-1944 and remained with this work until 13-Mar-1945 when she was paid off at Grangemouth awaiting for disposal. Sold 04-Mar-1947, and arrived at Bo'ness Sep-1948 for breaking up. Won the Battle Honours: Atlantic 1940-42 and North Sea 1942-44.
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This page last edited -
30 April, 2013.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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