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HMS Southampton (1937) CC (5th) |
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This the fifth ship to carry the name HMS Southampton was the name
ship of a class of eight Cruisers. Built by John Brown Shipyard on the Clyde, laid down 21-Nov-1934, launched 10-Mar-1936 and commissioned 06-Mar-1937. On completion served with the Home Fleet as Flagship 2nd Cruiser Squadron. On 16-Oct-1939 while at Rosyth was hit by a bomb and slightly damaged. Then went to the Humber Force until Feb-1940 when it was back to Scapa Flow and the 18th Cruiser Squadron. Took part in Norwegian Operations Apr-1940 and received bomb damage. Anti-invasion duties in the South of England followed until Oct-1940 when she returned to Scapa Flow. On 15-Nov-1940 left for the Mediterranean where she took part in the action off Cape Spartivento on 27-Nov-1940. Dec-1940 she was in the Red Sea escorting troop convoys and later bombarded Kismayu during the East Africa Campaign. On 01-Jan-1941 joined the 3rd Cruiser Squadron and took part in Malta convoy escort work. During convoy escort duties off Sicily, she was bombed 10-Jan-1941. The damage was so severe she was totally disabled and had raging fires throughout. She was sunk the next day, but it took one torpedo from HMS Gloucester and four torpedoes from HMS Orion to finish her off. Won the Battle Honours: Norway 1940, Spartivento 1940, and Malta Convoys 1941.
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This page last edited -
12 January, 2013.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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