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HMS Starling (1943) SL (8th) |
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This the eighth ship to carry the name HMS Starling was a
Modified Black Swan (1942), escort vessel (sloop). Built by Fairfield, laid down 21-Oct-1941, launched 14-Oct-1942 and completed 01-Apr-1943. On completion was taken over by Captain Walker as senior officer of 2nd Escort Group based at Liverpool. Used in the support role HMS Starling sank 16 U-boats a record for any one anti-submarine ship. operations began when she sailed from Liverpool 29-Apr-1943, and she sank U-202 on 01-Jun-1943. Then moved to the Bay of Biscay where she rammed and sank U-119 on 24-Jun-1943. Repairs took until Aug, when she returned to the North Atlantic. Sank U-226 and U-842 on 06-Nov-1943 her last victories of the year. Then it was time for refit at Liverpool from Dec-1943 to Jan-1944. Returned to the North Atlantic 28-Jan-1944 and sank U-592 on 31-Jan. U-238 and U-734 followed on 09-Feb, U-264 on 19-Feb all during the one sortie. The next sailing sank U-653 on 15-Mar-1944. Russian convoy duty followed and U-961 was sunk on 29-Mar-1944. After repairs at Liverpool she returned to the Atlantic again and sank U-473 on 05-May-1944. After an unsuccessful cruise Captain Walker died on 09-Jul-1944. During the next cruise U-333 was sunk on 31-Jul, U-736 on 06-Aug and U-385 on 11-Aug. Refitted at Falmouth Sep to Dec-1944. After this U-482 was sunk 16-Jan-1945 her last of the war. Went for refit on the Tyne from Feb to Aug-1945 with the intention of joining the Pacific Fleet. However with the end of the war she went into reserve at Devonport. At the end of 1945 she was converted to a Navigation Training Ship and began this work Mar-1946. Appeared at the Coronation Review 1953. This duty continued until 1959 when she went into reserve again. Put on the disposal list 1963 and arrived at Queenborough 06-Jul-1965 for breaking up. Won the Battle Honours: Atlantic 1943-45, Biscay 1943-44, Arctic 1944 and Normandy 1944.
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This page last edited -
17 March, 2013.
Copyright © Ian M King, except where otherwise indicated. |
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