:HMS Culver
{{short description|Sloop of the Royal Navy}}
{{other ships|USCGC Mendota}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image=File:USCGC Mendota.jpg |Ship caption=USCGC Mendota, under construction, circa 1928. }} {{Infobox ship career |Ship country=United States |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United States|coast guard}} |Ship name=USCGC Mendota |Ship namesake=Lake Mendota |Ship ordered= |Ship builder=Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation |Ship laid down=20 June 1928 |Ship launched= 27 November 1928 |Ship commissioned=23 March 1929 |Ship decommissioned= |Ship fate=Transferred to Royal Navy, 30 April 1941. }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header=title |Ship country=United Kingdom |Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}} |Ship name=HMS Culver |Ship commissioned= 30 April 1941 |Ship identification= Pennant number: Y97 |Ship fate=Sunk by {{GS|U-105|1940|2}}, 31 January 1942. }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class=
| United States Coast Guard Cutter}} (USCG)
|Ship displacement={{convert|2075|LT|abbr=on}} |Ship length={{convert|250|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} |Ship beam={{convert|42|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} |Ship draft={{convert|12|ft|11|in|m|1|abbr=on}} |Ship propulsion=1 × General Electric turbine-driven {{convert|3350|shp|abbr=on|lk=on}} electric motor, 2 boilers |Ship speed=* {{convert|14.8|kn|lk=in}} cruising
|Ship range= |Ship complement=97 |Ship sensors= |Ship EW= |Ship armament=
|Ship armor= |Ship aircraft= |Ship aircraft facilities= |Ship notes= }} |
USCGC Mendota was a {{sclass2|Lake|cutter||USCG}} belonging to the United States Coast Guard launched on 20 June 1928 and commissioned on 23 March 1929.{{cite web|last1=Helgason|first1=Guðmundur|title=USCGC Mendota|url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/11116.html|website=uboat.net|access-date=24 July 2015}} After 12 years of service with the Coast Guard, she was transferred to the British Royal Navy as part of the Lend-Lease Act. While escorting an SL convoy, on 31 January 1942 she was sunk when struck by two torpedoes fired by the {{GS|U-105|1940|6}}.
Career
= U.S. Coast Guard - ''Mendota'' =
After commissioning in March 1929, Mendota was homeported in Norfolk, Virginia.{{cite web|title=Mendota (1929)|url=http://www.uscg.mil/history/webcutters/Mendota_1929.pdf|website=USCG|publisher=US Coast Guard|access-date=24 July 2015}} On 22 December 1939, {{USCGC|Sebago|1930|2}} attempted to assist the {{GRT|2847|disp=long}} Greek steamship Aliakmon, which had grounded north of Wash Woods, Virginia. The {{convert|12|in|cm|adj=on}} hawser that had been secured to the vessel parted, but Mendota, having arrived a few hours later, was able to float the $200,000 vessel.
= Royal Navy - ''Culver'' =
As part of the Lend-Lease Act she was transferred to the Royal Navy where she was renamed HMS Culver (Y87) and commissioned on 30 April 1941.{{cite web|last1=Helgason|first1=Guðmundur|title=HMS Culver (Y 87)|url=http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/42.html|website=uboat.net|access-date=24 July 2015}} On 31 October 1941, Culver picked up 25 people from the Dutch merchant vessel Bennekom which had been sunk by a torpedo from {{GS|U-96|1940|2}}.
=Sinking=
On 31 January 1942, while escorting convoy SL 98, Culver came under fire by the German submarine {{GS|U-105|1940|2}}.{{cite web|last1=Helgason|first1=Guðmundur|title=HMS Culver (Y 87) - Sinking|url=http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1304.html|website=uboat.net|access-date=24 July 2015}} At 23:31 hours, she was struck twice, once on the port side in the forward boiler room and once further aft that likely struck the vessel's magazine. Culver broke in two and sank in less than a minute. The commander, 7 officers and 119 ratings were lost. A single officer and 12 ratings survived the sinking and were rescued by {{HMS|Londonderry|U76|6}}.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord|48|43|N|20|14|W|display=title}}
{{Lake class cutters}}
{{January 1942 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Culver, HMS)}}
Category:Ships of the United States Coast Guard
Category:World War II sloops of the United Kingdom
Category:Maritime incidents in January 1942