HMS Salvia (K97): Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Flower-class corvette}}
{{other ships|HMS Salvia}}
{{other ships|HMS Salvia}}
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|Ship ordered = 31 August 1939<ref name=U5488>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5488.html |title=HMS Salvia (K97) |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |date=1995–2013 |work=uboat.net: Allied Warships |publisher=Guðmundur Helgason |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref>
|Ship ordered = 31 August 1939<ref name=U5488>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5488.html |title=HMS Salvia (K97) |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |date=1995–2013 |work=uboat.net: Allied Warships |publisher=Guðmundur Helgason |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref>
|Ship builder = [[William Simons and Company|William Simons & Co Ltd]],<ref name=U5488/> [[Renfrew]]
|Ship builder = [[William Simons and Company|William Simons & Co Ltd]],<ref name=U5488/> [[Renfrew]]
|Ship yard number = 731<ref name=Clyde>{{cite web |url= http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=9940 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130505000841/http://www.clydesite.co.uk/clydebuilt/viewship.asp?id=9940 |url-status= usurped |archive-date= 2013-05-05 |last1=Cameron |first1=Stuart |last2=Allan |first2=Bruce |last3=Biddulph |first3=Bruce |last4=Campbell |first4=Colin |last5=Ward-McQuaid |first5=John |title=HMS Salvia |work=Clydebuilt database |publisher=Clydesite.co.uk |date=2002–2013 |access-date=26 April 2013}}</ref>
|Ship yard number = 731<ref name=SBS>{{cite web |url= http://clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=17306&vessel=SALVIA |title=Salvia |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=29 March 2021}}</ref>
|Ship laid down = 26 September 1939<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship laid down = 26 September 1939<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship launched = 6 August 1940<ref name=U5488/><ref name=Clyde/>
|Ship launched = 6 August 1940<ref name=U5488/><ref name=SBS/>
|Ship commissioned = 20 September 1940<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship commissioned = 20 September 1940<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship in service =
|Ship in service =
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|Ship struck =
|Ship struck =
|Ship honours =
|Ship honours =
|Ship identification = [[Pennant number]] K97<ref name=U5488/><ref name=Clyde/>
|Ship identification = [[Pennant number]] K97<ref name=U5488/><ref name=SBS/>
|Ship fate = torpedoed & sunk by {{GS|U-568||2}}<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship fate = Torpedoed & sunk by {{GS|U-568||2}}<ref name=U5488/>
|Ship status =
|Ship notes =
|Ship notes =
}}
}}
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|Hide header =
|Hide header =
|Header caption =
|Header caption =
|Ship class = {{sclass2-|Flower|corvette}}
|Ship class = {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}}
|Ship displacement =*940 standard;
|Ship displacement =*940 standard;
*1,170 deep load<ref name=Clyde/>
*1,170 deep load<ref name=SBS/>
|Ship length = {{convert|205|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} o/a<ref name=Clyde/>
|Ship length = {{convert|205|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} o/a<ref name=SBS/>
|Ship beam = {{convert|33|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Clyde/>
|Ship beam = {{convert|33|ft|m|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=SBS/>
|Ship height =
|Ship height =
|Ship draught = {{convert|14|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=Clyde/>
|Ship draught = {{convert|14|ft|10|in|m|2|abbr=on}}<ref name=SBS/>
|Ship power = {{convert|2750|ihp|abbr=on}}
|Ship power = {{convert|2750|ihp|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion =
|Ship propulsion =
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'''HMS ''Salvia'' (K97)''' was a {{sclass2-|Flower|corvette}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. She was ordered on the eve of the [[Second World War]] and entered service in September 1940. She is notable for having rescued many survivors from the sinking of the [[prison ship]] {{SS|Shuntien|1934|6}} on 23 December 1941. A few hours later, on Christmas Eve 1941, ''Salvia'' too was [[torpedo]]ed. The corvette sank with all hands, and all of the survivors that she had rescued from ''Shuntien'' were also lost.
'''HMS ''Salvia'' (K97)''' was a {{sclass2|Flower|corvette}} of the [[Royal Navy]]. She was ordered on the eve of the [[Second World War]] and entered service in September 1940. She rescued many survivors from the [[prison ship]] {{SS|Shuntien|1934|6}} when it was sunk on 23 December 1941. A few hours later, on Christmas Eve 1941, ''Salvia'' too was [[torpedo]]ed. The corvette sank with all hands, and all of the survivors that she had rescued from ''Shuntien'' were also lost.


==Building==
==Building==
The [[Admiralty]] introduced [[Corvette#World War II|corvettes]] as part of the [[British re-armament]] before the Second World War. They were simpler and cheaper to build than [[Frigate#World War II|frigates]] and were designed to be built by yards that did not normally build naval ships. The Flower class was intended for duties such as [[Convoy#World War II|convoy]] escort and [[Minesweeper|minesweeping]].
The [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] introduced [[Corvette#World War II|corvettes]] as part of the [[British re-armament]] before the Second World War. They were simpler and cheaper to build than [[Frigate#World War II|frigates]] and were designed to be built by yards that did not normally build naval ships. The Flower class was intended for duties such as [[Convoy#World War II|convoy]] escort and [[Minesweeper|minesweeping]].


The Admiralty ordered Flower-class corvettes in batches, spreading each batch between a number of shipbuilders that normally built merchant ships. The first batch was of 26 corvettes, ordered on 25 July 1939. The second batch was of 30 ships, ordered on 31 August 1939, the day before Britain entered the Second World War. ''Salvia'' was one of this second batch.
The Admiralty ordered Flower-class corvettes in batches, spreading each batch between a number of shipbuilders that normally built merchant ships. The first batch was of 26 corvettes, ordered on 25 July 1939. The second batch was of 30 ships, ordered on 31 August 1939, the day before Britain entered the Second World War. ''Salvia'' was one of this second batch.


''Salvia'' was one of several Flowers ordered from [[William Simons and Company]],<ref name=U5488/> a shipbuilder in [[Renfrew]],<ref name=Grace>{{cite web |url= http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Simons_and_Co |title=William Simons and Co |date=29 January 2009 |work=Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750–1960s |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> Scotland. ''Salvia''{{'}}s [[Keel#Structural keels|keel]] was laid on 26 September 1939, she was launched on 6 August 1940 and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 20 September.<ref name=U5488/>
''Salvia'' was one of several Flowers ordered from [[William Simons and Company]],<ref name=U5488/> a shipbuilder in [[Renfrew]],<ref name=Grace>{{cite web |url= http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Simons_and_Co |title=William Simons and Co |date=29 January 2009 |work=Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750–1960s |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> Scotland. ''Salvia''{{'}}s [[Keel#Structural keels|keel]] was laid on 26 September 1939, she was launched on 6 August 1940 and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 20 September.<ref name=U5488/>


She was commanded by [[Lieutenant commander|Lt Cdr]] John Isdale Miller, [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]], [[Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve|RD]], [[Royal Naval Reserve|RNR]], who had lately commanded the [[Naval trawler#United Kingdom|anti-submarine trawler]] {{HMS|Blackfly|FY 117|6}}.<ref name=U2838>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/commanders/2838.html |title=John Isdale Miller DSO, DSC, RD, RNR |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |date=1995–2013 |work=uboat.net: Allied Warship Commanders |publisher=Guðmundur Helgason |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> Miller and his new crew took ''Salvia'' to [[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory]] in the [[Isle of Mull]] for training exercises.<ref name=CorvetteForum>{{cite web |url= http://theflowerclasscorvetteforums.yuku.com/topic/646#.UXnNeaKG2Sp |last=Walters |first=Mark |title=HMS Salvia |work=The Flower Class Corvette and WWII Royal Navy Forums |publisher=[[Yuku]] |date=3 September 2008 |access-date=28 April 2013}}</ref>
She was commanded by [[Lieutenant commander|Lt Cdr]] John Isdale Miller, [[Distinguished Service Order|DSO]], [[Decoration for Officers of the Royal Naval Reserve|RD]], [[Royal Naval Reserve|RNR]], who had lately commanded the [[Naval trawler#United Kingdom|anti-submarine trawler]] {{HMS|Blackfly|FY 117|6}}.<ref name=U2838>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/commanders/2838.html |title=John Isdale Miller DSO, DSC, RD, RNR |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |date=1995–2013 |work=uboat.net: Allied Warship Commanders |publisher=Guðmundur Helgason |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> Miller and his new crew took ''Salvia'' to [[Tobermory, Mull|Tobermory]] in the [[Isle of Mull]] for training exercises.<ref name=CorvetteForum>{{cite web |url= http://theflowerclasscorvetteforums.yuku.com/topic/646#.UXnNeaKG2Sp |last=Walters |first=Mark |title=HMS Salvia |work=The Flower Class Corvette and WWII Royal Navy Forums |publisher=[[Yuku]] |date=3 September 2008 |access-date=28 April 2013}}</ref>
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==Operation Collar==
==Operation Collar==
On 16 November 1940 ''Salvia'' and her [[sister ship]]s {{HMS|Gloxinia|K22|6}}, {{HMS|Hyacinth|K84|6}} and {{HMS|Peony|K40|6}} sailed from the [[Port of Liverpool]] escorting a convoy as part of [[Operation Collar (convoy)|Operation Collar]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> On 25/26 November the convoy passed Gibraltar and the four Flowers became part of [[Force F]], which was led by the cruisers {{HMS|Manchester|C15|6}} and {{HMS|Southampton|C83|6}}, reinforced by the destroyer {{HMS|Hotspur|H01|6}}.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The Flowers formed the 10th Corvette Group and were the first corvettes to join the British [[Mediterranean Fleet#Second World War|Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
On 16 November 1940 ''Salvia'' and her [[sister ship]]s {{HMS|Gloxinia|K22|6}}, {{HMS|Hyacinth|K84|2}} and {{HMS|Peony|K40|2}} sailed from the [[Port of Liverpool]] escorting a convoy as part of [[Operation Collar (convoy)|Operation Collar]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> On 25–26 November the convoy passed Gibraltar and the four corvettes became part of [[Force F]], which was led by the cruisers {{HMS|Manchester|C15|6}} and {{HMS|Southampton|C83|2}}, reinforced by the destroyer {{HMS|Hotspur|H01|2}}.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The Flowers formed the 10th Corvette Group and were the first corvettes to join the British [[Mediterranean Fleet#Second World War|Mediterranean Fleet]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/>


From Gibraltar the convoy and Force F sailed east with [[Force H]], and on 27 September an Italian ''[[Regia Marina#Mediterranean|Regia Marina]]'' force attacked.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> In the ensuing [[Battle of Cape Spartivento]] the corvettes protected the merchant ships {{SS|Clan Forbes|1938|2}}, {{SS|Clan Fraser|1938|2}} and {{MV|New Zealand Star||2}} while Force H and other ships of Force F, later joined by [[Force D]] which had sailed from [[Alexandria Port|Alexandria]], held off the Italian attack.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The convoy then continued to [[Malta]], where the corvettes refuelled.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The two [[Clan Line]] freighters stayed in Malta to unload but ''Manchester'', ''Southampton'', the destroyers {{HMS|Defender|H07|6}} and {{HMS|Hereward|H93|6}} and the four corvettes then escorted the [[Blue Star Line]] [[Reefer ship|refrigerated ship]] ''New Zealand Star'' to Alexandria.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
From Gibraltar the convoy and Force F sailed east with [[Force H]], and on 27 September an Italian ''[[Regia Marina#Mediterranean|Regia Marina]]'' force attacked.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> In the ensuing [[Battle of Cape Spartivento]] the corvettes protected the merchant ships {{SS|Clan Forbes|1938|2}}, {{SS|Clan Fraser|1938|2}} and {{MV|New Zealand Star||2}} while Force H and other ships of Force F, later joined by [[Force D]] which had sailed from [[Alexandria Port|Alexandria]], held off the Italian attack.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The convoy then continued to [[Malta]], where the corvettes refuelled.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> The two [[Clan Line]] freighters stayed in Malta to unload but ''Manchester'', ''Southampton'', the destroyers {{HMS|Defender|H07|6}} and {{HMS|Hereward|H93|2}} and the four corvettes then escorted the [[Blue Star Line]] [[Reefer ship|refrigerated ship]] ''New Zealand Star'' to Alexandria.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>


==Battle of Greece==
==Battle of Greece==
[[File:Pictures For Illustrating Ritchie Ii Book. November and December 1942, Alexandria, Pictures of Paintings by Lieutenant Commander R Langmaid, Rn, Official Fleet Artist. These Pictures Are For Illustrating a Nava A13646.jpg|thumb|Painting of HM Trawler ''Lanner'' and ''Salvia'' under attack in [[Souda Bay]], 1941]]
[[File:HMS Lanner and Salvia under bomb attack in Suda Bay, 1941 RMG BHC1581 (cropped).tiff|thumb|Painting by Lt Cdr [[Rowland Langmaid]] of HM Trawler ''Lanner'' and ''Salvia'' under attack in [[Souda Bay]], 1941]]
On 7 January 1941 the 10th Corvette Group sailed from Alexandria escorting {{ship|RFA|Brambleleaf|1917|6}} bound for [[Souda Bay]] in [[Crete]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> However, ''en route'' the corvettes were diverted to Malta to support [[Operation Excess]], and on 9 January they met Force A which included the battleships {{HMS|Valiant|1914|6}} and {{HMS|Warspite|03|6}}, aircraft carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|87|6}} and seven destroyers.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> Force A and the corvettes reached Alexandria on 18 January.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
On 7 January 1941 the 10th Corvette Group sailed from Alexandria escorting {{ship|RFA|Brambleleaf|1917|6}} bound for [[Souda Bay]] in [[Crete]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> However, ''en route'' the corvettes were diverted to Malta to support [[Operation Excess]], and on 9 January they met Force A which included the battleships {{HMS|Valiant|1914|6}} and {{HMS|Warspite|03|2}}, aircraft carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|87|2}} and seven destroyers.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> Force A and the corvettes reached Alexandria on 18 January.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>


In February 1941 ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' escorted convoys in the eastern Mediterranean.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> In April 1941 ''Salvia'' was minesweeping in Greece and detonated five [[Naval mine#Influence mines|magnetic mines]] near the [[Port of Piraeus]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
In February 1941 ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' escorted convoys in the eastern Mediterranean.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> In April 1941 ''Salvia'' was minesweeping in Greece and detonated five [[Naval mine#Influence mines|magnetic mines]] near the [[Port of Piraeus]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/>


On 24 April ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' sailed from Souda Bay to [[Porto Rafti]] in [[Attica]] and [[Nafplio]] in the [[Peloponnese]] to help the [[Battle of Greece#Evacuation of Commonwealth forces|Evacuation of Commonwealth forces]] in the [[Battle of Greece]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> ''Salvia'' then took part in the escort of [[List of World War II convoy codes|Convoy AG 13]], which took evacuated troops to Crete. On 28/29 April ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' evacuated troops from Kapsali Bay on the island of [[Cythera (island)|Kythera]] to Souda Bay.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
On 24 April ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' sailed from Souda Bay to [[Porto Rafti]] in [[Attica]] and [[Nafplio]] in the [[Peloponnese]] to help the [[Battle of Greece#Evacuation of Commonwealth forces|Evacuation of Commonwealth forces]] in the [[Battle of Greece]].<ref name=CorvetteForum/> ''Salvia'' then took part in the escort of [[List of World War II convoy codes|Convoy AG 13]], which took evacuated troops to Crete. On 28–29 April ''Hyacinth'' and ''Salvia'' evacuated troops from Kapsali Bay on the island of [[Cythera (island)|Kythera]] to Souda Bay.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>


On 14 May ''Salvia'' was still at Souda Bay.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> It is not clear what role she may have played once the [[Battle of Crete#Operation Mercury|German invasion of Crete]] began on 20 May.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
On 14 May ''Salvia'' was still at Souda Bay.<ref name=CorvetteForum/> It is not clear what role she may have played once the [[Battle of Crete#Operation Mercury|German invasion of Crete]] began on 20 May.<ref name=CorvetteForum/>
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On 3 June 1941 Lt Cdr Miller was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]].<ref name=U2838/>
On 3 June 1941 Lt Cdr Miller was awarded the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)|Distinguished Service Cross]].<ref name=U2838/>


==Loss of SS ''Shuntien''==
==Loss of ''Shuntien''==
In the [[Western Desert Campaign]] in December 1941 ''Salvia'', still commanded by Lt Cdr Miller,<ref name=U5488/> was part of the escort of convoy [[List of convoy codes#T|Convoy TA 5]] from [[Tobruk]] in eastern Libya to [[Alexandria Port|Alexandria]] in Egypt.
In the [[Western Desert campaign]] in December 1941 ''Salvia'', still commanded by Lt Cdr Miller,<ref name=U5488/> was part of the escort of convoy [[List of convoy codes#T|Convoy TA 5]] from [[Tobruk]] in eastern Libya to [[Alexandria Port|Alexandria]] in Egypt.


At about 1902 hrs on the evening of 23 December off the coast of [[Cyrenaica]], eastern Libya, the {{GS|U-559}} torpedoed and sank {{SS|Shuntien|1934|6}}: a [[prison ship]] in the convoy that was carrying between 800 and 1,000<ref name=Malta>{{cite web |url=http://maltagc70.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/23-december-700-prisoners-killed/ |title=23 December 1941: 700 Prisoners Killed |work=Malta: War Diary |publisher=[[WordPress]] |access-date=25 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312231818/https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/23-december-700-prisoners-killed/ |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Italian and German prisoners of war, guarded by more than 40 soldiers of the [[Durham Light Infantry#World War II Battalions|Durham Light Infantry]] (DLI).<ref name=DLI>{{cite web |url= http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/middleeastforcesdli.htm |title=For those in Peril on the sea |work=Durham Light Infantry 1920–1946 |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> ''Shuntien'' sank within five minutes without having been able to launch any of her [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]].<ref name=WikiSwire>{{cite web |url= http://www.wikiswire.com/wiki/Shuntien_II |title=Shuntien II |work=WikiSwire |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013}} ''N.b.'' WikiSwire is a [[wiki]] with multiple authors. Unlike Wikipedia it does not generally cite previously published sources to [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verify]] its content.</ref>
At about 1902 hrs on the evening of 23 December off the coast of [[Cyrenaica]], eastern Libya, the {{GS|U-559}} torpedoed and sank {{SS|Shuntien|1934|2}}: a [[prison ship]] in the convoy that was carrying between 800 and 1,000<ref name=Malta>{{cite web |url=http://maltagc70.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/23-december-700-prisoners-killed/ |title=23 December 1941: 700 Prisoners Killed |work=Malta: War Diary |publisher=[[WordPress]] |access-date=25 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312231818/https://maltagc70.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/23-december-700-prisoners-killed/ |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Italian and German prisoners of war, guarded by more than 40 soldiers of the [[Durham Light Infantry#World War II Battalions|Durham Light Infantry]] (DLI).<ref name=DLI>{{cite web |url=http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/middleeastforcesdli.htm |title=For those in Peril on the sea |work=Durham Light Infantry 1920–1946 |access-date=25 April 2013 |archive-date=3 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703000554/http://durhamlightinfantry.webs.com/middleeastforcesdli.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Shuntien'' sank within five minutes without having been able to launch any of her [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]].<ref name=WikiSwire>{{cite web |url= http://www.wikiswire.com/wiki/Shuntien_II |title=Shuntien II |work=WikiSwire |date=16 January 2013 |access-date=25 April 2013}} ''N.b.'' WikiSwire is a [[wiki]] with multiple authors. Unlike Wikipedia it does not generally cite previously published sources to [[Wikipedia:Verifiability|verify]] its content.</ref>


''Salvia'' rescued ''Shuntien''{{'}}s [[Sea captain|Master]], William Shinn, 46 of the ship's officers and men and an unknown number of her prisoners, [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships#World War II|DEMS]] gunners and DLI guards.<ref name=U1235/> The total number of survivors that she rescued was about 100.<ref name=Malta/><ref name=BBC>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a4134467.shtml |title=My Uncle Bill |last=Churchill |first=Michael |date=31 May 2005 |work=WW2 People's War |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> The {{sclass2-|Hunt|destroyer}} {{HMS|Heythrop|L85|6}} rescued a smaller number: between 11<ref name=BBC/> and 19.<ref name=WikiSwire/>
''Salvia'' rescued ''Shuntien''{{'}}s [[Sea captain|Master]], William Shinn, 46 of the ship's officers and men and an unknown number of her prisoners, [[Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships#World War II|DEMS]] gunners and DLI guards.<ref name=U1235/> The total number of survivors that she rescued was about 100.<ref name=Malta/><ref name=BBC>{{cite web |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/67/a4134467.shtml |title=My Uncle Bill |last=Churchill |first=Michael |date=31 May 2005 |work=WW2 People's War |publisher=[[BBC]] |access-date=25 April 2013}}</ref> The {{sclass2|Hunt|destroyer}} {{HMS|Heythrop|L85|6}} rescued a smaller number: between 11<ref name=BBC/> and 19.<ref name=WikiSwire/>


==Loss of HMS ''Salvia''==
==Loss of HMS ''Salvia''==
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''Salvia'' then made for Alexandria. A few hours later, at about 0135 hrs on 24 December, she was off the Egyptian coast about {{convert|100|nmi|km}} west of Alexandria when the [[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|Type VIIC]] {{GS|U-568}} fired four torpedoes at her.<ref name=U1235/> One of the torpedoes hit ''Salvia'', breaking her in two and spilling her heavy black [[Fuel oil#Bunker fuel|bunker oil]] onto the surface of the sea.<ref name=U1235/> The fuel caught fire and her [[stern]] section rapidly sank, followed by her bow section a few minutes later.<ref name=U1235/>
''Salvia'' then made for Alexandria. A few hours later, at about 0135 hrs on 24 December, she was off the Egyptian coast about {{convert|100|nmi|km}} west of Alexandria when the [[German Type VII submarine#Type VIIC|Type VIIC]] {{GS|U-568}} fired four torpedoes at her.<ref name=U1235/> One of the torpedoes hit ''Salvia'', breaking her in two and spilling her heavy black [[Fuel oil#Bunker fuel|bunker oil]] onto the surface of the sea.<ref name=U1235/> The fuel caught fire and her [[stern]] section rapidly sank, followed by her bow section a few minutes later.<ref name=U1235/>


A [[sister ship]], {{HMS|Peony|K40|6}}, came to look for survivors.<ref name=U1235/> She sighted a patch of oil on the surface of the sea but found no-one left alive.<ref name=U1235/>
{{HMS|Peony|K40|6}} came to look for survivors.<ref name=U1235/> She sighted a patch of oil on the surface of the sea but found no people.<ref name=U1235/>


On 8 January 1942 Lt Cdr Miller was posthumously awarded a [[Medal bar|bar]] to his DSC.<ref name=U2838/>
On 8 January 1942 Lt Cdr Miller was posthumously awarded a [[Medal bar|bar]] to his DSC.<ref name=U2838/>
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{{Flower class corvette|original}}
{{Flower class corvette|original}}
{{December 1941 shipwrecks}}
{{December 1941 shipwrecks}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2013}}


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Latest revision as of 16:59, 1 October 2023

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Salvia.

HMS Salvia (K97)
History
United Kingdom
NameHMS Salvia
Namesakeplant genus Salvia
Ordered31 August 1939[1]
BuilderWilliam Simons & Co Ltd,[1] Renfrew
Yard number731[2]
Laid down26 September 1939[1]
Launched6 August 1940[1][2]
Commissioned20 September 1940[1]
Out of service24 December 1941[1]
IdentificationPennant number K97[1][2]
FateTorpedoed & sunk by U-568[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeFlower-class corvette
Displacement
  • 940 standard;
  • 1,170 deep load[2]
Length205 ft (62.5 m) o/a[2]
Beam33 ft (10.1 m)[2]
Draught14 ft 10 in (4.52 m)[2]
Installed power2,750 ihp (2,050 kW)
Propulsion
Speed16 knots (30 km/h)
Range3,500 nautical miles (6,482 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
Complement4 officers, 54 ratings[3]
Armament
Notesfitted with towing gear

HMS Salvia (K97) was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She was ordered on the eve of the Second World War and entered service in September 1940. She rescued many survivors from the prison ship SS Shuntien when it was sunk on 23 December 1941. A few hours later, on Christmas Eve 1941, Salvia too was torpedoed. The corvette sank with all hands, and all of the survivors that she had rescued from Shuntien were also lost.

Building[edit]

The Admiralty introduced corvettes as part of the British re-armament before the Second World War. They were simpler and cheaper to build than frigates and were designed to be built by yards that did not normally build naval ships. The Flower class was intended for duties such as convoy escort and minesweeping.

The Admiralty ordered Flower-class corvettes in batches, spreading each batch between a number of shipbuilders that normally built merchant ships. The first batch was of 26 corvettes, ordered on 25 July 1939. The second batch was of 30 ships, ordered on 31 August 1939, the day before Britain entered the Second World War. Salvia was one of this second batch.

Salvia was one of several Flowers ordered from William Simons and Company,[1] a shipbuilder in Renfrew,[4] Scotland. Salvia's keel was laid on 26 September 1939, she was launched on 6 August 1940 and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy on 20 September.[1]

She was commanded by Lt Cdr John Isdale Miller, DSO, RD, RNR, who had lately commanded the anti-submarine trawler HMS Blackfly.[5] Miller and his new crew took Salvia to Tobermory in the Isle of Mull for training exercises.[6]

Characteristics[edit]

Being in one of the earlier batches to be ordered, Salvia was one of the "unmodified" members of the Flower class. All unmodified Flowers had a raised fo'c's'le, a well deck, then the bridge, and a continuous deck running aft. The design was highly seaworthy but in a heavy sea she would have shipped a lot of water. Every dip of the fo'c's'le into an oncoming wave was followed by a cascade of water into her well deck amidships.[7] Her crew was quartered in her fo'c's'le but her galley was aft, which was a poor messing arrangement.[8]

Operation Collar[edit]

On 16 November 1940 Salvia and her sister ships HMS Gloxinia, Hyacinth and Peony sailed from the Port of Liverpool escorting a convoy as part of Operation Collar.[6] On 25–26 November the convoy passed Gibraltar and the four corvettes became part of Force F, which was led by the cruisers HMS Manchester and Southampton, reinforced by the destroyer Hotspur.[6] The Flowers formed the 10th Corvette Group and were the first corvettes to join the British Mediterranean Fleet.[6]

From Gibraltar the convoy and Force F sailed east with Force H, and on 27 September an Italian Regia Marina force attacked.[6] In the ensuing Battle of Cape Spartivento the corvettes protected the merchant ships Clan Forbes, Clan Fraser and New Zealand Star while Force H and other ships of Force F, later joined by Force D which had sailed from Alexandria, held off the Italian attack.[6] The convoy then continued to Malta, where the corvettes refuelled.[6] The two Clan Line freighters stayed in Malta to unload but Manchester, Southampton, the destroyers HMS Defender and Hereward and the four corvettes then escorted the Blue Star Line refrigerated ship New Zealand Star to Alexandria.[6]

Battle of Greece[edit]

Painting by Lt Cdr Rowland Langmaid of HM Trawler Lanner and Salvia under attack in Souda Bay, 1941

On 7 January 1941 the 10th Corvette Group sailed from Alexandria escorting RFA Brambleleaf bound for Souda Bay in Crete.[6] However, en route the corvettes were diverted to Malta to support Operation Excess, and on 9 January they met Force A which included the battleships HMS Valiant and Warspite, aircraft carrier Illustrious and seven destroyers.[6] Force A and the corvettes reached Alexandria on 18 January.[6]

In February 1941 Hyacinth and Salvia escorted convoys in the eastern Mediterranean.[6] In April 1941 Salvia was minesweeping in Greece and detonated five magnetic mines near the Port of Piraeus.[6]

On 24 April Hyacinth and Salvia sailed from Souda Bay to Porto Rafti in Attica and Nafplio in the Peloponnese to help the Evacuation of Commonwealth forces in the Battle of Greece.[6] Salvia then took part in the escort of Convoy AG 13, which took evacuated troops to Crete. On 28–29 April Hyacinth and Salvia evacuated troops from Kapsali Bay on the island of Kythera to Souda Bay.[6]

On 14 May Salvia was still at Souda Bay.[6] It is not clear what role she may have played once the German invasion of Crete began on 20 May.[6]

On 3 June 1941 Lt Cdr Miller was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.[5]

Loss of Shuntien[edit]

In the Western Desert campaign in December 1941 Salvia, still commanded by Lt Cdr Miller,[1] was part of the escort of convoy Convoy TA 5 from Tobruk in eastern Libya to Alexandria in Egypt.

At about 1902 hrs on the evening of 23 December off the coast of Cyrenaica, eastern Libya, the German submarine U-559 torpedoed and sank Shuntien: a prison ship in the convoy that was carrying between 800 and 1,000[9] Italian and German prisoners of war, guarded by more than 40 soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry (DLI).[10] Shuntien sank within five minutes without having been able to launch any of her lifeboats.[11]

Salvia rescued Shuntien's Master, William Shinn, 46 of the ship's officers and men and an unknown number of her prisoners, DEMS gunners and DLI guards.[3] The total number of survivors that she rescued was about 100.[9][12] The Hunt-class destroyer HMS Heythrop rescued a smaller number: between 11[12] and 19.[11]

Loss of HMS Salvia[edit]

HMS Salvia (K97) is located in Egypt
HMS Salvia (K97)
class=notpageimage|
Salvia's wreck is in the eastern Mediterranean, off the coast of Egypt west of Alexandria

Salvia then made for Alexandria. A few hours later, at about 0135 hrs on 24 December, she was off the Egyptian coast about 100 nautical miles (190 km) west of Alexandria when the Type VIIC German submarine U-568 fired four torpedoes at her.[3] One of the torpedoes hit Salvia, breaking her in two and spilling her heavy black bunker oil onto the surface of the sea.[3] The fuel caught fire and her stern section rapidly sank, followed by her bow section a few minutes later.[3]

HMS Peony came to look for survivors.[3] She sighted a patch of oil on the surface of the sea but found no people.[3]

On 8 January 1942 Lt Cdr Miller was posthumously awarded a bar to his DSC.[5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2013). "HMS Salvia (K97)". uboat.net: Allied Warships. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Salvia". Scottish Built Ships. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2013). "HMS Salvia (K97)". uboat.net: Ships hit by U-boats. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  4. ^ "William Simons and Co". Grace's Guide: The Best of British Engineering 1750–1960s. 29 January 2009. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  5. ^ a b c Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2013). "John Isdale Miller DSO, DSC, RD, RNR". uboat.net: Allied Warship Commanders. Guðmundur Helgason. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Walters, Mark (3 September 2008). "HMS Salvia". The Flower Class Corvette and WWII Royal Navy Forums. Yuku. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  7. ^ Milner, Marc (1985). North Atlantic Run. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-87021-450-0.
  8. ^ Brown, David K (2000). Nelson to Vanguard: Warship Design and Development, 1923–1945. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. p. not cited. ISBN 155750492X.
  9. ^ a b "23 December 1941: 700 Prisoners Killed". Malta: War Diary. WordPress. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  10. ^ "For those in Peril on the sea". Durham Light Infantry 1920–1946. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  11. ^ a b "Shuntien II". WikiSwire. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013. N.b. WikiSwire is a wiki with multiple authors. Unlike Wikipedia it does not generally cite previously published sources to verify its content.
  12. ^ a b Churchill, Michael (31 May 2005). "My Uncle Bill". WW2 People's War. BBC. Retrieved 25 April 2013.

31°28′N 28°00′E / 31.46°N 28.00°E / 31.46; 28.00

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