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{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship flag=
|Ship flag=
|Ship name= ''Patroclus''
|Ship name= ''Patroclus''
|Ship namesake= [[Patroclus]]
|Ship namesake= [[Patroclus]]
|Ship country= [[United Kingdom]]
|Ship country= [[United Kingdom]]
|Ship owner= [[Blue Funnel Line|China Mutual SN Co]]
|Ship owner= [[Blue Funnel Line|China Mutual SN Co]]
|Ship operator= [[Blue Funnel Line|Alfred Holt & Co]]
|Ship operator= *[[File:House Flag of the Blue Funnel Line.svg|22px]] [[Blue Funnel Line|Alfred Holt & Co]] (1924–39)
|Ship registry=*{{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] (1924–39)
* {{flagicon|UK|naval}} [[Royal Navy]] (1939–40)
|Ship registry= {{flagicon|UK|civil}} [[Port of Liverpool|Liverpool]] (1924–39)
|Ship route= Liverpool – [[Far East]]
*{{flagicon|UK|naval}} (1939–40)
|Ship route=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder= [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company|Scotts Shilbuilding & Eng Co]]
|Ship builder= [[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company|Scotts Shilbuilding & Eng Co]]
|Ship original cost=
|Ship original cost=
|Ship yard number= 518
|Ship yard number= 518
|Ship laid down=
|Ship laid down=
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|Ship out of service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship identification= *UK [[official number]] 147218
|Ship identification= *UK [[official number]] 147218
*[[code letters]] KPFD (until 1933)
* [[code letters]] KPFD (until 1933)
*{{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Delta}}
* {{ICS|Kilo}}{{ICS|Papa}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}{{ICS|Delta}}
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] GCXF (1934 onward)
* [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] GCXF (1934 onward)
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|X-ray}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
* {{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Charlie}}{{ICS|X-ray}}{{ICS|Foxtrot}}
|Ship fate=sunk by torpedoes 4 November 1940
|Ship fate=Sunk by torpedoes 4 November 1940
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
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|Ship type= [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo]] and [[ocean liner|passenger liner]]
|Ship type= [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo]] and [[ocean liner|passenger liner]]
|Ship tonnage= *{{GRT|11314}}
|Ship tonnage= *{{GRT|11314}}
*{{NRT|6912}}
* {{NRT|6912}}
|Ship displacement=
|Ship displacement=
|Ship length= {{convert|498.8|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship length= {{convert|498.8|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|62.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{convert|62.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship height=
|Ship height=
|Ship draught=
|Ship draught=
|Ship depth= {{convert|26.4|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship depth= {{convert|26.4|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks=
|Ship decks=
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|Ship sensors= wireless [[direction finding]] (by 1934)
|Ship sensors= wireless [[direction finding]] (by 1934)
|Ship armament=*as [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]]:
|Ship armament=*as [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]]:
*6 × [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun|BL 6-inch Mk XII]] guns
* 6 × [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun|BL 6-inch Mk XII]] guns
*2 × [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] AA guns
* 2 × [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] AA guns
|Ship armour=
|Ship armour=
|Ship notes= *[[sister ship]]s:
|Ship notes= *[[sister ship]]s:
*{{SS|Sarpedon|1923|2}}, {{HMS|Hector|F45|2}} and {{SS|Antenor|1924|2}}
* {{SS|Sarpedon|1923|2}}, {{HMS|Hector|F45|2}} and {{SS|Antenor|1924|2}}
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''SS ''Patroclus''''' was a UK [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbine]] [[Passenger ship|passenger]] and [[Reefer ship|refrigerated]] [[cargo liner]] {{liy|1923}}. She was the third of five ships to bear the name.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/bluefunnel.shtml |last1=Swiggum |first1=Susan |last2=Kohli |first2=Marjorie |title=Blue Funnel Line |work=TheShipsList |date=17 October 2010 |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref>
'''SS ''Patroclus''''' was a British [[Steam turbine#Marine propulsion|steam turbine]] [[Passenger ship|passenger]] and [[Reefer ship|refrigerated]] [[cargo liner]] launched in 1923. She was the third of five ships to bear the name.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/bluefunnel.shtml |last1=Swiggum |first1=Susan |last2=Kohli |first2=Marjorie |title=Blue Funnel Line |work=TheShipsList |date=17 October 2010 |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref>


In the Second World War ''Patroclus'' served as an [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]]. A U-boat sank her in November 1940 with the loss of 76 of her [[Ship's company|complement]].
In the Second World War ''Patroclus'' served as an [[Armed merchantman#Armed merchant cruisers|armed merchant cruiser]]. A U-boat sank her in November 1940 with the loss of 76 of her [[Ship's company|complement]].


==Building==
==Building==
[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] built ''Patroclus'' at [[Greenock]], Scotland.<ref name=LR30>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b0918.pdf |year=1930 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=Steamers & Motorships |volume=II |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |via=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref> She was launched on 17 March 1923 and completed on 11 June that year.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=17017&vessel=PATROCLUS |title=Patroclus |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref>
[[Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company]] built ''Patroclus'' at [[Greenock]], Scotland.<ref name=LR30>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/30/30b0918.pdf |year=1930 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=Steamers & Motorships |volume=II |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |via=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> She was launched on 17 March 1923 and completed on 11 June that year.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://clydeships.co.uk/view.php?year_built=&builder=&ref=17017&vessel=PATROCLUS |title=Patroclus |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref>


''Patroclus'' was the second of a set of four [[sister ship]]s built for [[Blue Funnel Line|Alfred Holt and Company]] of [[Liverpool]], who owned [[Blue Funnel Line]] and other shipping lines including China Mutual Steam Navigation Company. Her sisters were {{SS|Sarpedon|1923|2}} launched in 1923, and {{HMS|Hector|F45|2}} and {{SS|Antenor|1924|2}} {{liy|1924}}. All were named after characters in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''.
''Patroclus'' was the second of a set of four [[sister ship]]s built for [[Blue Funnel Line|Alfred Holt and Company]] of [[Liverpool]], who owned Blue Funnel Line and other shipping lines including China Mutual Steam Navigation Company. Her sisters were {{SS|Sarpedon|1923|2}} launched in 1923, and {{HMS|Hector|F45|2}} and {{SS|Antenor|1924|2}} launched in 1924. All were named after characters in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]''.


''Patroclus'' was {{convert|498.8|ft|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|62.3|ft|abbr=on}} beam and had a depth of {{convert|26.4|ft|abbr=on}}. She had a [[Stern#Elliptical|counter stern]], slightly raked [[Bow (ship)|stem]], one funnel and two masts.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=366}} She had accommodation for first class passengers only.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=472}} At the request of the UK Government the four ships were built with berths for 155 first class passengers for services to the Far East. Blue Funnel Line did not expect carrying passengers to be profitable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred Holt & Co, Blue Funnel Line, page 14 |url= http://www.red-duster.co.uk/BLUEFUN14.htm |work=The Red Duster |publisher=The Merchant Navy Association |accessdate= |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080407105940/http://www.red-duster.co.uk/BLUEFUN14.htm |archive-date=7 April 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>
''Patroclus'' was {{convert|498.8|ft|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|62.3|ft|abbr=on}} beam and had a depth of {{convert|26.4|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref name=LR30/> She had a [[Stern#Elliptical|counter stern]], slightly raked [[Bow (ship)|stem]], one funnel and two masts.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=366}} She had accommodation for first class passengers only.{{sfn|Talbot-Booth|1936|p=472}} At the request of the UK Government the four ships were built with berths for 155 first class passengers for services to the Far East. Blue Funnel Line did not expect carrying passengers to be profitable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfred Holt & Co, Blue Funnel Line, page 14 |url= http://www.red-duster.co.uk/BLUEFUN14.htm |work=The Red Duster |publisher=The Merchant Navy Association |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080407105940/http://www.red-duster.co.uk/BLUEFUN14.htm |archive-date=7 April 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>


''Patroclus''{{'}}s [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|11314}} and {{NRT|6912}}. She had two steam turbines driving twin [[Propeller|screws]] via [[Gear train|single-reduction gearing]],<ref name=LR30/> which gave her a service speed of {{Convert|15|kn|km/h|lk=in}}.{{sfn|Harnack|1930|p=331}} By 1934 ''Patroclus'' had been fitted with wireless [[direction finding]] equipment.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0654.pdf |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=Steamers & Motorships |volume=II |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |via=Plimsoll Ship Data |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref>
''Patroclus''{{'}}s [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|11314}} and {{NRT|6912}}. She had two steam turbines driving twin [[Propeller|screws]] via [[Gear train|single-reduction gearing]],<ref name=LR30/> which gave her a service speed of {{Convert|15|kn|km/h|lk=in}}.{{sfn|Harnack|1930|p=331}} By 1934 she had been fitted with wireless [[direction finding]] equipment.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0654.pdf |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register |chapter=Steamers & Motorships |volume=II |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] |via=Plimsoll Ship Data |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref>


==Naval service and loss==
==Naval service==
On 12 September 1939 the [[Admiralty]] requisitioned ''Patroclus'' and had her converted into an armed merchant cruiser, HMS ''Patroclus''. Her primary armament was six [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun]]s<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/54676/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 6in 45cal BL Mk XII |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref> and her secondary armament included two [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] anti-aircraft guns.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/55207/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 3in 45cal 12pdr 20cwt QF Mk I To IV |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref> Her conversion was completed in 2 January 1940.<ref name=Helgason>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3325.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=HMS ''Patroclus |work=uboat.net |accessdate=31 October 2020}}</ref>
On 12 September 1939 the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] requisitioned ''Patroclus'' and had her converted into an armed merchant cruiser, HMS ''Patroclus''. Her primary armament was six [[BL 6-inch Mk XII naval gun]]s<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/54676/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 6in 45cal BL Mk XII |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> and her secondary armament included two [[QF 3-inch 20 cwt]] anti-aircraft guns.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://navalhistory.flixco.info/H/55207/8330/a0.htm |title=BR 3in 45cal 12pdr 20cwt QF Mk I To IV |work=NavHist |publisher=Flixco Pty Limited |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref> Her conversion was completed on 2 January 1940.<ref name=Helgason>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3325.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=HMS ''Patroclus'' |work=uboat.net |access-date=31 October 2020}}</ref>


In 1940 HMS ''Patroclus'' served on the [[Northern Patrol]] from January to April, the [[Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic|South Atlantic Station]] in May and June and the Northern and Western Patrol from July onwards.<ref name=Helgason/>
In 1940 HMS ''Patroclus'' served on the [[Northern Patrol]] from January to April, the [[Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic|South Atlantic Station]] in May and June and the Northern and Western Patrol from July onwards.<ref name=Helgason/>
Line 89: Line 88:
At 2140 hrs on 3 November 1940 {{GS|U-99|1940|6}} torpedoed the [[Fyffes Line|Elders and Fyffes]] [[Banana boat (ship)|banana boat]] ''Casanare'' in the [[Western Approaches]] west of [[Gweedore|Bloody Foreland]] in Ireland. ''Patroclus'' and another AMC, HMS {{SS|Laurentic|1927|2}}, responded to ''Casanare''{{'}}s wireless distress message. When they arrived, ''U-99'' attacked ''Laurentic'' but ''Patroclus'' concentrated on searching for survivors from ''Casanare''.<ref name=Helgason/>
At 2140 hrs on 3 November 1940 {{GS|U-99|1940|6}} torpedoed the [[Fyffes Line|Elders and Fyffes]] [[Banana boat (ship)|banana boat]] ''Casanare'' in the [[Western Approaches]] west of [[Gweedore|Bloody Foreland]] in Ireland. ''Patroclus'' and another AMC, HMS {{SS|Laurentic|1927|2}}, responded to ''Casanare''{{'}}s wireless distress message. When they arrived, ''U-99'' attacked ''Laurentic'' but ''Patroclus'' concentrated on searching for survivors from ''Casanare''.<ref name=Helgason/>


⚫
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A1906.jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Beagle|H30|6}} rescued 230 survivors from ''Patroclus'']]
''U-99'' damaged ''Laurentic'' and then attacked ''Patroclus'' from a range of only 300 metres. ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with torpedoes at 0002 hrs, 0022 hrs and 0044 hrs. Then at 0058 hrs ''U-99'' fired four rounds from her deck gun, two of which hit ''Patroclus''. ''U-99'' then herself came under fire and took evasive action. ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with a fourth torpedo at 0118 hrs, and then withdrew to search for ''Casanare''. At 0239 hrs an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] [[Short Sunderland]] flying boat passed overhead, forcing ''U-99'' to dive.<ref name=Helgason/>
''U-99'' damaged ''Laurentic'' and then attacked ''Patroclus'' from a range of only 300 metres. ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with torpedoes at 0002 hrs, 0022 hrs and 0044 hrs. Then at 0058 hrs ''U-99'' fired four rounds from her deck gun, two of which hit ''Patroclus''. ''U-99'' then herself came under fire and took evasive action. ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with a fourth torpedo at 0118 hrs, and then withdrew to search for ''Casanare''. At 0239 hrs an [[Royal Air Force|RAF]] [[Short Sunderland]] flying boat passed overhead, forcing ''U-99'' to dive.<ref name=Helgason/>


At 0404 hrs ''U-99'' resurfaced and resumed her attack. At 0453 hrs she fired a torpedo that hit and sank ''Laurentic''. At 0516 hrs ''U-99'' torpedoed ''Patroclus'' again, but the impact seemed to have little effect. At 0525 hrs ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with a final torpedo, which broke the ship's back. Her stern capsized and her bow slowly sank. 76 of her complement were lost, including her commander, Captain Gerald Wynter.<ref name=Helgason/>
At 0404 hrs ''U-99'' resurfaced and resumed her attack. At 0453 hrs she fired a torpedo that hit and sank ''Laurentic''. At 0516 hrs ''U-99'' torpedoed ''Patroclus'' again, but the impact seemed to have little effect. At 0525 hrs ''U-99'' hit ''Patroclus'' with a final torpedo, which broke the ship's back. Her stern capsized and her bow slowly sank. 76 of her complement were lost, including her commander, Captain Gerald Wynter.<ref name=Helgason/> The destroyer {{HMS|Hesperus|H57|6}} then arrived, drove ''U-99'' away and rescued survivors from ''Laurentic''. The destroyer {{HMS|Beagle|H30|6}} rescued 230 survivors from ''Patroclus''.<ref name=Helgason/>

⚫
[[File:The Royal Navy during the Second World War A1906.jpg|thumb|{{HMS|Beagle|H30|6}} rescued 230 survivors from ''Patroclus'']]
The destroyer {{HMS|Hesperus|H57|6}} then arrived, drove ''U-99'' away and rescued survivors from ''Laurentic''. The destroyer {{HMS|Beagle|H30|6}} rescued 230 survivors from ''Patroclus''.<ref name=Helgason/>


==References==
==References==
Line 100: Line 97:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Harnack |first=Edwin P |origyear=1903 |year=1930 |title=All About Ships & Shipping |place=London |publisher=[[Faber and Faber]] |edition=3rd |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Harnack |first=Edwin P |orig-year=1903 |year=1930 |title=All About Ships & Shipping |place=London |publisher=[[Faber and Faber]] |edition=3rd }}
*{{cite book |last1=Osborne |first1=Richard |last2=Spong |first2=Harry |last3=Grover |first3=Tom |year=2007 |title=Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945 |place=Windsor |publisher=World Warship Society |isbn=978-0-9543310-8-5 |name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book |last1=Osborne |first1=Richard |last2=Spong |first2=Harry |last3=Grover |first3=Tom |year=2007 |title=Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945 |place=Windsor |publisher=World Warship Society |isbn=978-0-9543310-8-5 |name-list-style=amp}}
*{{cite book |last=Talbot-Booth |first=EC |year=1936 |title=Ships and the Sea |edition=Third |place=London |publisher=[[Sampson Low]], Marston & Co Ltd |ref=harv}}
* {{cite book |last=Talbot-Booth |first=EC |year=1936 |title=Ships and the Sea |edition=Third |place=London |publisher=[[Sampson Low]], Marston & Co Ltd }}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{cite web |title=A History of Alfred Holt and Company |url= http://www.rakaia.co.uk/downloads/alfred-holt-and-co-history.pdf |website=Rakaia.co.uk |year= |accessdate=2008-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://www.webcitation.org/6F8232wKS?url=http://www.rakaia.co.uk/downloads/alfred-holt-and-co-history.pdf |archive-date=15 March 2013|df=dmy-all}}
* {{cite web |title=A History of Alfred Holt and Company |url= http://www.rakaia.co.uk/downloads/alfred-holt-and-co-history.pdf |website=Rakaia.co.uk |access-date=2008-05-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120205235619/http://www.rakaia.co.uk/downloads/alfred-holt-and-co-history.pdf |archive-date=5 February 2012|df=dmy-all}}
*{{cite web |url= http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80033127 |title=Rendle, Ronald Walter William |publisher=[[Imperial War Museum]]}} – interview with a survivor
* {{cite web |url= http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/80033127 |title=Rendle, Ronald Walter William |publisher=[[Imperial War Museum]]}} – interview with a survivor


{{November 1940 shipwrecks}}
{{November 1940 shipwrecks}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Patroclus (1923)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Patroclus (1923)}}

[[Category:1923 ships]]
[[Category:1923 ships]]
[[Category:Auxiliary cruisers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:World War II Auxiliary cruisers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in November 1940]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in November 1940]]
[[Category:Ocean liners of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ocean liners of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:Ships of the Blue Funnel Line]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom]]

Latest revision as of 17:20, 21 August 2024

For other ships with the same name, see SS Patroclus.

History
United Kingdom
NamePatroclus
NamesakePatroclus
OwnerChina Mutual SN Co
Operator
Port of registryUnited Kingdom Liverpool (1924–39)
RouteLiverpool – Far East
BuilderScotts Shilbuilding & Eng Co
Yard number518
Launched17 March 1923
Completed11 June 1923
Identification
FateSunk by torpedoes 4 November 1940
General characteristics
Typerefrigerated cargo and passenger liner
Tonnage
Length498.8 ft (152.0 m)
Beam62.3 ft (19.0 m)
Depth26.4 ft (8.0 m)
Propulsion2 × steam turbines; twin screws
Speed15.5 kn (28.7 km/h)
Capacity155 first class passengers
Sensors and
processing systems		wireless direction finding (by 1934)
Armament
Notes

SS Patroclus was a British steam turbine passenger and refrigerated cargo liner launched in 1923. She was the third of five ships to bear the name.[1]

In the Second World War Patroclus served as an armed merchant cruiser. A U-boat sank her in November 1940 with the loss of 76 of her complement.

Building

[edit]

Scotts Shipbuilding and Engineering Company built Patroclus at Greenock, Scotland.[2] She was launched on 17 March 1923 and completed on 11 June that year.[3]

Patroclus was the second of a set of four sister ships built for Alfred Holt and Company of Liverpool, who owned Blue Funnel Line and other shipping lines including China Mutual Steam Navigation Company. Her sisters were Sarpedon launched in 1923, and Hector and Antenor launched in 1924. All were named after characters in Homer's Iliad.

Patroclus was 498.8 ft (152.0 m) long, 62.3 ft (19.0 m) beam and had a depth of 26.4 ft (8.0 m).[2] She had a counter stern, slightly raked stem, one funnel and two masts.[4] She had accommodation for first class passengers only.[5] At the request of the UK Government the four ships were built with berths for 155 first class passengers for services to the Far East. Blue Funnel Line did not expect carrying passengers to be profitable.[6]

Patroclus's tonnages were 11,314 GRT and 6,912 NRT. She had two steam turbines driving twin screws via single-reduction gearing,[2] which gave her a service speed of 15 knots (28 km/h).[7] By 1934 she had been fitted with wireless direction finding equipment.[8]

[edit]

On 12 September 1939 the Admiralty requisitioned Patroclus and had her converted into an armed merchant cruiser, HMS Patroclus. Her primary armament was six BL 6-inch Mk XII naval guns[9] and her secondary armament included two QF 3-inch 20 cwt anti-aircraft guns.[10] Her conversion was completed on 2 January 1940.[11]

In 1940 HMS Patroclus served on the Northern Patrol from January to April, the South Atlantic Station in May and June and the Northern and Western Patrol from July onwards.[11]

Loss

[edit]

At 2140 hrs on 3 November 1940 German submarine U-99 torpedoed the Elders and Fyffes banana boat Casanare in the Western Approaches west of Bloody Foreland in Ireland. Patroclus and another AMC, HMS Laurentic, responded to Casanare's wireless distress message. When they arrived, U-99 attacked Laurentic but Patroclus concentrated on searching for survivors from Casanare.[11]

HMS Beagle rescued 230 survivors from Patroclus

U-99 damaged Laurentic and then attacked Patroclus from a range of only 300 metres. U-99 hit Patroclus with torpedoes at 0002 hrs, 0022 hrs and 0044 hrs. Then at 0058 hrs U-99 fired four rounds from her deck gun, two of which hit Patroclus. U-99 then herself came under fire and took evasive action. U-99 hit Patroclus with a fourth torpedo at 0118 hrs, and then withdrew to search for Casanare. At 0239 hrs an RAF Short Sunderland flying boat passed overhead, forcing U-99 to dive.[11]

At 0404 hrs U-99 resurfaced and resumed her attack. At 0453 hrs she fired a torpedo that hit and sank Laurentic. At 0516 hrs U-99 torpedoed Patroclus again, but the impact seemed to have little effect. At 0525 hrs U-99 hit Patroclus with a final torpedo, which broke the ship's back. Her stern capsized and her bow slowly sank. 76 of her complement were lost, including her commander, Captain Gerald Wynter.[11] The destroyer HMS Hesperus then arrived, drove U-99 away and rescued survivors from Laurentic. The destroyer HMS Beagle rescued 230 survivors from Patroclus.[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Swiggum, Susan; Kohli, Marjorie (17 October 2010). "Blue Funnel Line". TheShipsList. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Steamers & Motorships". Lloyd's Register (PDF). Vol. II. London: Lloyd's Register. 1930. Retrieved 31 October 2020 – via Plimsoll Ship Data.
  3. ^ "Patroclus". Scottish Built Ships. Caledonian Maritime Research Trust. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  4. ^ Talbot-Booth 1936, p. 366.
  5. ^ Talbot-Booth 1936, p. 472.
  6. ^ "Alfred Holt & Co, Blue Funnel Line, page 14". The Red Duster. The Merchant Navy Association. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008.
  7. ^ Harnack 1930, p. 331.
  8. ^ "Steamers & Motorships". Lloyd's Register (PDF). Vol. II. London: Lloyd's Register. 1934. Retrieved 31 October 2020 – via Plimsoll Ship Data.
  9. ^ "BR 6in 45cal BL Mk XII". NavHist. Flixco Pty Limited. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  10. ^ "BR 3in 45cal 12pdr 20cwt QF Mk I To IV". NavHist. Flixco Pty Limited. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Helgason, Guðmundur. "HMS Patroclus". uboat.net. Retrieved 31 October 2020.

Bibliography

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  • Harnack, Edwin P (1930) [1903]. All About Ships & Shipping (3rd ed.). London: Faber and Faber.
  • Osborne, Richard; Spong, Harry & Grover, Tom (2007). Armed Merchant Cruisers 1878–1945. Windsor: World Warship Society. ISBN 978-0-9543310-8-5.
  • Talbot-Booth, EC (1936). Ships and the Sea (Third ed.). London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co Ltd.
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53°43′N 14°41′W / 53.717°N 14.683°W / 53.717; -14.683

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