Allied Warships

HMS Carnarvon Castle (F 25)

Armed Merchant Cruiser

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeArmed Merchant Cruiser
Class[No specific class] 
PennantF 25 
Built byHarland & Wolff Ltd. (Belfast, Northern Ireland) 
Ordered 
Laid down 
Launched14 Jan 1926 
Commissioned9 Oct 1939 
End service29 Nov 1943 
Loss position
 
History

On 8 September 1939 the passenger ship Carnarvon Castle of the Union-Castle Mail SS Co Ltd, London was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser. Conversion was completed on 9 October 1939.

Displacement: 20122 BRT
Armament: 8x 152mm, 2x 76mm
Speed: 18 knots

Career:
October 39 - April 40: South Atlantic Station
May 40 - June 41: Freetown Escort Force
July 41 - April 42: South Atlantic Station
May 42: Western Patrol
June 42 - April 43: South Atlantic Station
May 43 - November 43: West Africa Command

On 29 November 1943 returned and used as troopship by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). In March 1947 returned to owner. 1962 scrapped.

 

Commands listed for HMS Carnarvon Castle (F 25)

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CommanderFromTo
1Capt. (retired) George Bridges Lewis, RN30 Aug 193919 May 1940
2Capt. Martin John Coucher de Meric, RN19 May 194030 May 1940
3Capt. (retired) Henry Noel Marryat Hardy, DSO, RN30 May 194010 Apr 1942
4Capt. (retired) Edward Wollaston Kitson, RN10 Apr 1942

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Noteable events involving Carnarvon Castle include:


1 Dec 1940
HMS Carnavon Castle (Capt. H.V.M. Hardy, DSO, RN) had a gun duel with the German auxiliary cruiser Schiff 10 / Thor (Kpt.z.S. Kähler) south-east of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in position 30º52'S, 42º53'W and was badly damaged, while the German ship escaped. (see map)

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