HMS Convolvulus (K45)
{{Short description|Flower-class corvette}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Other ships|HMS Convolvulus}}
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{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = HMS Convolvulus FL6066.jpg | Ship caption = HMS Convolvulus (K45) }} {{Infobox ship career | Hide header = HMS Convolvulus | Ship flag = {{shipboxflag|UK|naval}} | Ship country = United Kingdom | Ship name = HMS Convolvulus | Ship owner = | Ship namesake = | Ship ordered = 25 July 1939 | Ship builder = Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol | Ship yard number = 280 | Ship laid down = 17 January 1940 | Ship launched = 22 September 1940 | Ship acquired = | Ship commissioned = 26 February 1941 | Ship decommissioned = | Ship in service = | Ship out of service = | Ship struck = | Ship reinstated = | Ship identification = Pennant number: K45 | Ship honours = | Ship fate = Scrapped on 5 October 1947 | Ship notes = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = | Ship class = {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} | Ship displacement = | Ship length = | Ship beam = | Ship draught = | Ship propulsion = | Ship speed = | Ship range = | Ship complement = | Ship sensors = | Ship EW = | Ship armament = | Ship armour = | Ship notes = }} |
HMS Convolvulus was a {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} of the Royal Navy in World War II. She was launched in 1940, served in the Battle of the Atlantic and was scrapped in 1947.
Construction
Assigned the pennant number K45, Convolvulus was built by Charles Hill & Sons, Bristol. She was laid down on 17 January 1940 as yard number 280. She was launched on 22 September 1940 and was subsequently commissioned on 26 February 1941.{{cite web |url= http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4739.html |title=HMS Convolvulus |publisher=Uboat.net |access-date=2012-03-28}}{{cite web |url= https://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view.php?&ref=211296 |title=Convulvulus |work=Shipping and Shipbuilding |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=2024-03-17}}
Service
Convolvulus formed part of the 36th Escort Group which escorted the convoy HG 76 as well as convoys OG 82 and HG 84. During the escort of the latter, Convolvulus was left on a number of occasions as the convoy's lone escort whilst the other escorts investigated suspected U-boat contact or chased away U-boats caught on the surface. Despite the small escort screen offered by the ships of the 36th Escort Group and the lone sentry duty often performed by Convolvulus, HG 84 suffered only a 22% loss rate.{{cite book |last=Wemyss |first=DEG |year=1955 |title=Relentless Pursuit: The Story of Capt. F.J. Walker, CB, DSO |place=London |publisher=William Kimber}}
Captain F J Walker, RN, then leader of the 36th Escort Group said of this action:
I am proud of the offensive spirit, initiative and sheer guts displayed by these Corvettes. Convolvulus, my deputy during my absences from the convoy, never put a foot wrong. {{cite book |last=Robertson |first=Terence |year=1956 |title=Walker R.N. |place=London |publisher=Evans Brothers Ltd}}
Fate
She was sold to be broken up for scrap to John Cashmore Ltd on 21 August 1947 and she was eventually scrapped at Newport on 5 October 1947.
References
{{reflist}}
Publications
{{Cite Colledge2006}}
{{Flower class corvette}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Convolvulus (K45)}}
Category:Corvettes of the United Kingdom