HMS Corfu, Mersey, Attacker

[munce]

A g-uncle of mine served in these ships in WW2 (died 16th March 1945). I've come across a very informative website about HMS Attacker, but not much on HMS Corfu and Mersey. Does anyone know where I can find out info on these vessels and their service? Many thanks.

[David Seymour]

Munce,
I can't find them in either Colledge, Ships of the Royal Navy or Jane's Fighting Ships, 1944-5. Perhaps they were shore stations?

What info do you have?

Regards,
David

[munce]

Thanks for looking David. The only info I have is from his service record from the MoD, which lists these ships and the dates served. Looking again at the pitifully small transcript I was sent, it does say 'Ships / Shore establishments', so you're probably right. He was an engineer in the RNR, so perhaps his first posting (HMS Corfu) could have been some kind of engineering school designed to bring RNR people up to speed?

[Friedrich H]

HMS Corfu

Navy: The Royal Navy
Type: Armed Merchant Cruiser
Penant: F 86X
Built by: A. Stephen & Sons Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland)X
Ordered: X
Laid down: X
Launched: 1931X
Commissioned: 25th November 1939X
End service: 17th February 1944X
XHistory: laid down as Chefoo, completed as Corfu.
On 14 Sep, 1939 the passenger ship Corfu of the P. & O. Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser.
Displacement: 14170 BRT
Armament: 9x 152mm, 4x 102mm (2x2), 2x 40mm, 19x 20mm Oerlikon and a catapult with seaplane
Speed: 17 knots

Career:
Dec, 39 - Jun, 40: Northern Patrol
Jun, 40: Western Approaches Command
Jul, 40 - Sep, 41: Freetown Escort Force
Oct, 41 - Feb, 42: East Indies Station
Mar, 42 - Aug, 42: Eastern Fleet (Indian Ocean)
Sep, 42 - Apr, 43: South Atlantic Station
May, 43 - Feb, 44: West Africa Command

On 17 Feb, 1944 returned and used as troopship by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). On 31 Jul, 1947 returned to owner.X

[Friedrich H]

HMS Attacker

Navy: The Royal Navy
Type: Escort Carrier
Class: Bogue / AttackerX
Penant: D 02X
Built by: Western Pipe & Steel (San Fransisco)XX
Laid down: 17th April 1941X
Launched: 27th September 1941X
Commissioned: 30th September 1942XX
History: 30th September 1942. Aquired for the Royal Navy. Ex USN ship Barnes.

[Friedrich H]

I didn't find any ship called Mersey, which was a ship-class. Of the 11 Mersey class ships, none is named so.

[David Seymour]

Friedrich,
Interesting about the Corfu. What is your source? Does it list all merchant ships and their voyages?
David

[Friedrich H]

Forgot about the source, David... <_<

Allied War Ships

Has a nice search engine to look for specific ships —more than 6.000 from around the world.

[munce]

Fantastic! Thanks for the information guys!

[Gerry Chester]

Originally posted by munce@Feb 22 2004, 08:06 AM
A g-uncle of mine served in these ships in WW2 (died 16th March 1945). I've come across a very informative website about HMS Attacker, but not much on HMS Corfu and Mersey. Does anyone know where I can find out info on these vessels and their service? Many thanks.

Regarding HMS Mersey, there are two possibilities.

1:The Great Northern Hospital in 1940 became a RN Hospital entitled HMS Mersey.

2: For five years before being named HMS Amerton was called HMS Mersey.

With your great-uncle being an engineer, the latter seems to be more probable. However, the date which Great Northern reverted to civilian status would be of interest to determine which is the more likely. Does anyone know?