Allied Warships

HMS Skate (H 39)

Destroyer of the Admiralty R class

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Admiralty R
Pennant	H 39
Built by	John Brown Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Ltd. (Clydebank, Scotland)
Ordered	8 Dec 1915
Laid down	12 Jan 1916
Launched	11 Jan 1917
Commissioned	19 Feb 1917
End service
History	In 1940 HMS Skate was fitted for minesweeping and had 8-.5" (2x4) machine guns added. Later she was converted to escort work and in that role she was armed as follows; 1 4" gun 1 12pdr AA gun 4 20mm AA (4x1) She served mainly on Atlantic convoy duties and she also was part of the naval escort forces during the Normandy invasion. HMS Skate is not listed as active unit in the January 1945 Navy List Sold to be broken up for scrap on 4 March 1947.

Commands listed for HMS Skate (H 39)

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	Commander	From	To
1	Lt.Cdr. Arthur Oswald Johnson, RN	9 Jan 1939	14 Mar 1940
2	Lt.Cdr. Robert Augustus Fell, RN	14 Mar 1940	14 Jun 1940
3	Lt. Frederick William Hayden, RN	14 Jun 1940	3 Jul 1940
4	Lt. Francis Peter Baker, RN	3 Jul 1940	9 Feb 1942
5	Lt. John Smallwood, RN	9 Feb 1942	Apr 1942
6	Lt. Nicholas Marwood Mules, RN	Apr 1942	12 May 1942
7	Lt.Cdr. (retired) Alan Westbury Preston, RN	12 May 1942	28 May 1943
8	Lt. John Charles Rushbrooke, DSC, RN	28 May 1943	9 Jan 1944
9	Lt. Harvey Patrick Fleming, RN	19 Jan 1944	1 Jun 1944
10	Lt. John Hart Macalister, RNVR	1 Jun 1944	late 1944

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Notable events involving Skate include:

9 Sep 1939
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Cumberbatch, RN) departed Portsmouth for Dundee. She was escorted until around 1900 hours by HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr. A.O. Johnson, RN).

During the night of 9/10 September 1939 HMS Oberon was in company with HMS Bittern (Cdr. G.F. Stevens-Guille, OBE, RN) and HMS Enchantress (Cdr. A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN).

Around 0930/10, HMS Oberon, took station astern of a convoy until 1600 hours when she joined HMS Matabele (Cdr. G.K. Whitmy-Smith, RN) which remained with Oberon until she was off Dundee on the 13th. (1)

16 Sep 1939
Upon completion of her final trials and working-up, HMS Thistle (Cdr. R.W. Stirling-Hamilton, RN), departed from Portland for Portsmouth. She is escorted by the destroyer HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr. A.O. Johnson, RN). (2)

22 Sep 1939
HMS Thistle (Cdr. R.W. Stirling-Hamilton, RN) departed from Portsmouth for Dover where she arrived later the same day. She is escorted by HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr. A.O. Johnson, RN). Later HMS Brazen (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Mills, RN) took over from HMS Skate as escort. (2)

28 Sep 1939
HMS L 23 (Lt. F.J. Brooks, RN) departed Portsmouth for Blyth. She was escorted by HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr. A.O. Johnson, RN) until 1700/28 when L 23 joined a northbound convoy. (3)

22 Sep 1940
HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) picks up 55 survivors from the British tanker Torinia that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-100 about 340 nautical miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 54°55'N, 18°17'W.

24 Sep 1940
HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) picks up 45 survivors from the British merchant Scholar, that was torpedoed and damaged on 22 September 1940 by German U-boat U-100 about 340 nautical miles west of Bloody Foreland in position 55°11'N, 17°58'W. On 23 September 1940 the Scholar was taken in tow by the British rescue tug HMRT Marauder (Lt. W.J. Hammond) in position 55?10'N, 17?49'W. On the 24th the tow was abandoned in position 54°38'N, 16°40'W and the wreck of the Scholar was scuttled by HMS Skate.

9 Feb 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.R. Hezlet, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN). (4)

11 May 1941
HrMs O 10 (Lt. J.H. Geijs, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN). (5)

18 Jun 1941
HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) picks up 70 survivors from the British merchant Norfolk that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-552about 175 nautical miles northwest of Malin Head in position 57°17'N, 11°14'W.

4 Jul 1941
HMS H 44 (Lt. A.C.G. Mars, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN) and HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN). (6)

6 Sep 1941
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.W.D. Coombe, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN), HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN), HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. A.F.C. Layard, RN) and HMS Caldwell (Lt.Cdr. E.M. Mackay, RNR). (7)

13 Nov 1941
HMS H 50 (Lt. E.T. Stanley, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN) and HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN). (8)

22 Nov 1941
HMS H 34 (Lt. W.A. Phillimore, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN) and HMS Leamington (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, RN). (9)

12 Jan 1943
HMS H 34 (Lt. G.M. Noll, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Highlander (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN). (10)

28 Feb 1943
HMS Usurper (Lt. D.R.O. Mott, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises on Inmarnock Water with HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) as the target and HMS Skate (Lt. J. Smallwood, RN) as escort for HMS Breda. (11)

7 Mar 1943
HMS Templar (Lt. D.J. Beckley, DSO, RN) conducted practice attacks in the Clyde area with HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) serving as the target. HMS Templar proceeded to Campbeltown on completion of these exercises. (12)

10 Mar 1943
HMS Satyr (Lt. J.P.H. Oakley, DSC, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) served as target. (13)

13 Mar 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN). (14)

14 Mar 1943
HMS Oberon (Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN) conducted exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) with HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN). (14)

18 Mar 1943
HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Breda (Capt.(Retd.) A.E. Johnston, RN) served as the targets. (15)

22 Mar 1943
During the night of 22/23 March 1943, HMS Universal (Lt. C. Gordon, RN), conducted exercises in the Clyde area. Practice attacks were made on HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) which was escorted by HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) and HMS La Capricieuse (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Dobson, RNR).

These were followed by exercises in which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) served as target for HMS Universal. (16)

22 Mar 1943
HMS Satyr (Lt. T.S. Weston, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN), HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) and HMS Biter (Capt. E.M.C. Abel Smith, RN) served as the targets. These included night exercises. (13)

22 Mar 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) served as targets. (17)

23 Mar 1943
HMS Stubborn (Lt. A.A. Duff, RN) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS L'Incomprise (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.S. Deveson, RNR) served as targets. (17)

29 Mar 1943
HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR) conducted attack exercises in the Clyde area for the C.O.Q.C. (Commanding Officers Qualifying Course) during which HMS Skate (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. Preston, RN) and HMS Sabre (Lt. R.L. Caple, DSC, RN) served as the targets. (18)

2 Oct 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bombardier (A/Skr.Lt. C.W. Burman, RNR), HMS Grenadier (A/Skr.Lt. A.G. Day, RNR) and HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN). (19)

3 Oct 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Bombardier (A/Skr.Lt. C.W. Burman, RNR), HMS Grenadier (A/Skr.Lt. A.G. Day, RNR), HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), HMCS Kitchener (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W. Evans, RCNVR) and HMCS Arvida (T/Lt. D.G. King, RCNVR). (19)

4 Oct 1943
The battleship HMS Malaya (Capt. G.E.M. O’Donnell, DSO, RN) departed Greenock for Plymouth. She was escorted by the destroyer HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN) and the frigate HMS Bentinck (Cdr. E.H. Chavasse, DSO, DSC, RN) until 1530/4 when the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (Lt. G.J. Kirkby, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Talybont (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN) took over.

At 0645/5, the escort destoyer HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, RN) joined.

HMS Malaya and her escorts arrived at Plymouth around 1000/5. (20)

7 Oct 1943
While conducting exercises in Inchmarnock water (Clyde area), HMS Sealion (Lt. N.J. Coe, DSC, RNR), is hit by HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN). The periscopes of HMS Sealion were damaged. (21)

30 Dec 1943
HrMs O 10 (Lt.Cdr. A. van Altena, RNN(R)) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Skate (Lt. J.C. Rushbrooke, DSC, RN), HMS Saladin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.G.C. King, RNVR), HMS Chelsea (Lt.Cdr. J.E.R. Wilford, RNR) and HMS Burdock (T/Lt. F.R.M. Greasley, RNR). (22)

6 Jun 1944
HMS Skate (Lt. J. H. Macalister, RNVR picked up the crew of a C-47 from the 435th Troop Carrier Group, the airplane was hit by German anti-aircraft fire over Normandy and ditched in the Channel. (23)

22 Sep 1944
HMS Malaya (Cdr. D.H. Fuller, RN) departed Plymouth for Rosyth. She was being escorted by HMS Hart (Cdr. (retired) M.B. Sherwood, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Lark (Cdr. H.L. Pryse, DSC, RNR) and HMS Skate (Lt. J.H. Macalister, RNVR).

At 1145/22 they were joined by HMS Affleck (Cdr.(Retd.) C. Gwinner, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN), HMS Garlies (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Calpe, DSC, RN) and HMS Gore (Lt. J.V. Reeves-Brown, DSC, RN).

At 1325/24, HMS Cassandra (Cdr. P.F. Powlett, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) and HMS Cambrian (Lt.Cdr. H.T. Harrel, RN) took over from HMS Hart and HMS Lark. [The other escorts apparently had been detached by this time.]

At 1650/24, Verdun (Cdr. D. Parsons, RD, RNR) and HMS Vega (Lt. C.G. Forsberg, RN) took over from HMS Cassandra and HMS Cambrian.

Around 0945/25, HMS Malaya arrived off Rosyth. (24)