Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Belfast (35)

British Light cruiser



Photo courtesy of Paul Johnson Collection

NameHMS Belfast (35)
Type:Light cruiser (Belfast)
Tonnage11,500 tons
Completed1939 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack21 Nov 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateDamaged by U-21 (Fritz Frauenheim)
Position56° 06'N, 2° 55'W - Grid AN 0537
Complement? men (1 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteFirth of Forth (21 Nov) - Firth of Forth 
Cargo 
History Completed in August 1939.

Post-war:
Decommissioned in February 1963. This cruiser is on display at London on the Thames river, a must see if one is in the area. 
Notes on event

At 10.58 hours on 21 Nov 1939, HMS Belfast (35) (Capt G.A. Scott, DSC, RN) struck a magnetic mine laid on 4 November by U-21 near May Island, Firth of Forth. The cruiser was on gunnery exercises together with HMS Southampton (83) (Capt F.W.H. Jeans, CVO, RN) and HMS Afridi (F 07) (Capt G.H. Creswell, DSC, RN). The explosion broke the back of the ship, caused extensive damage and injured 21 crew members, one of them dying of wounds on 30 November. She was taken in tow to Rosyth for temporary repairs by HMS Krooman and the British steam tug Brahman, later assisted by the British steam tugs Bulger, Grangeburn and Oxcar and escorted by HMS Vivien (L 33) (LtCdr W.D.G. Weir, RN).

On 3 July 1940, HMS Belfast arrived at Plymouth and was rebuilt at Devonport Dockyard until December 1942.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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