HMS Coventry: Motto: 'Fortis, fert securitatem' ('The strong carries safety') The HMS Coventry was a "Ceres", or "C" Class light cruiser originally planned as the HMS Corsair built at Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson, Wallsend-on-Tyne, U.K., for the Royal Navy. The ship was ordered in April 1916 under the Emergency War Program and her keel was laid on 04 August 1917. Her name was changed to HMS Coventry prior to launching on 07 July 1917. The ship was towed to the Pembroke Dockyard for completion as a Flagship, with sea/contractor trials being conducted soon afterwards. Build was completed and the ship was commissioned for service on 21 February 1918. The ship was then assigned to the Harwich Force upon completion of Acceptance trials and outfitting for service, which included installation of a Launching platform for a single aircraft. The ship was 4,190 GRT, with a length of 450-feet, beam of 43.6 feet, and draught of 14 feet. Propulsion machinery was provided by Wallsend and consisted of 6 Yarrow fuel-oil burning boilers, 2 Brown-Curtis geared turbines, and twin shafts with a combined output of 40,428 shp for a maximum speed of 29 knots. All proplusion equipment was provided by Vickers Shipbuilding. Normal fuel-oil carrying capacity was 300-tons, with a maximum capacity of 950 tons. The "HMS Coventry" The ship was constructed with a 3-inch armour belt protecting the machinery spaces and magazines. The bow section of the ship was protected by 1-1/2" to 2 1/4-inch armour plating and 2-inch plating protecting the stern sides. 1-inch armour plating was used to protect the upper decks amidships and over the rudder area. Ship's Armament at time of building consisted of: Five 6-inch 50-caliber (152mm) guns under Gun Fire Director Control Two 3-inch (76) Anti-aircraft guns Two 2-pounder (907g) "pom-poms" Two Machine Guns Eight 21-inch (533mm) Lewis torpedo tubes in 4 double mounts. As built, crew compliment was 327 officers and crew. (Crew compliment would be increased to 400-427 officers and crew during WWII.) The HMS Coventry served with the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron (Harwich Fleet) throughout 1918 unitil May 1919 where the ship served in the Baltic region during this period. In May 1919 the ship was transferred to the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet and was designated as the Headquarters for the Inter-Allied Disarmament Commission (Flagship of Flag Officers, Destroyers) until late 1920 when he ship went into a refit period which included the removal of the plane launching platform. She was then commissioned as Pennant "D43" and designated as the Flagship of the Atlantic Fleet (Destroyers) under Rear Admiral Andrew Cunnigham, a position which she served in until 1923. Information on the ship's operations during this period is sparse. The HMS Coventry was known to have sailed from Gibraltar on 19 February 1923 with a flotilla of 5 ships, destination unknown, but it is suspected that the ship made passage to Malta where, on 08 March a torpedo exploded onboard the ship killing Chief Stoker Fred H.J. Burt (S.N. K10238) and Engine Room Artificer, 3rd class Garibaldi Jackson (S.N. M33565). Reports to their families indicate that "the torpedo fell across Jackson before exploding and Chief Stoker Burt was blown to "smithereens". In late 1924 the Coventry was transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet as Flagship (Flag Officers), Destroyers, but not before the ship's officers where able to get in a round of golf from 24-27 June at the Ilfracombe Golf Club, Hele Bay, Ilfracombe, Devon, U.K. (The ship sent a Thank You letter to the club on 01 July). Between 1925 and early 1928 the HMS Coventry remained deployed in the Mediterranean until returning to the U.K. for overhaul. The overhaul period lasted through 1929 until completion in 1930 when the ship was recommissioned as the Flagship for Flag Officers, Destroyers, for the Mediterranean Fleet. The ship served on this station until 1935 when she was selected to be placed in Reserve status. She then returned to the U.K. and was paid off. The "HMS Coventry" (Right) leading Mediterannean Destroyers past the fleet, 1935 Afterwards in that same year, the Coventry was selected for conversion to an Anti-Aircraft Ship along with the HMS Curlew. The Coventry entered Her Majesty's Dockyard, Plymouth, U.K. in late 1935 for conversion, which lasted until 15 November when the ship was commissioned for sea trials which were conducted the following December. Conversion of the ship involved removal of all of the ship's existing armament which was then replaced by ten 4-inch single-mount High Altitude (HA) gun mounts and installation of two 8-barrelled QF-2 Mark VIII gun mounts, also known as a "Chicago Piano", fore and aft (The aft gun would later be removed in 1938 due to a fleet-wide shortage of these guns). The forward mast was shortened and the topmast completely removed. The main mast was also shortened and relocated approximately 40-feet aft of its original location. The Gun Directors were removed and replaced with two HACS MK III air capable directors. The forward director was mounted in a box mounted on top of the foremast and became known as the "Birdbath" (see photo below). The conversions of the HMS Coventry and Curlew would later become the prototypes for conversion of the Carlisle class cruisers. The "HMS Coventry" after conversion to an Anti-Aircraft Ship. From January to February 1937, the Coventry underwent additional work at Her Majesty's Dockyard at Plymouth and recommissioned the following March as a Trials ship. Beginning in April 1937 the ship was deployed throughout the remainder of the year for testing of the newly installed equipment and systems, as well as new design equipment such as Degaussing Gear and 20mm Close Range Oerlikon guns (Probably Model 1934's which were later rejected by the British Navy). 20mm Oerlikon Anti-Aircraft Gun                    A "Chicago Piano" 8-barrel QF-2 AA Gun Mount 1938 found the HMS Coventry still being utilized as a Trials platform until sometime after January 1939. On 18 August 1938 command of the ship was passed to Captain Richard Francis John Onslow, OBE, DSC, RN (previous Commanding Officers unknown). One item of note in early 1939, is that on 23 March, the Coventry shot down a British Havilland Type DH82B Queen Bee aircraft (Serial No. K8640), probably as part of an Anti-Aircraft defense exercise as the Queen Bee aircraft were designed as radio controlled target aircraft for gunnery exercises. Havilland "Queen Bee" DH.82B Radio Controlled Target Aircraft In July 1939, the HMS Coventry was allocated for War Station service in the Mediterranean, onloading war stores and filling out the ship's compliment of officers and crew in August. The ship joined the Cruisers HMS Danae and HMS Dauntless and detached from the Home Fleet, making passage to Gibraltar where the ships joined the Mediterranean Fleet. On 03 September the Coventry arrived at Alexandria and joined the fleet located there. However, the ship was recalled to the England on 18 September and immediatley got underway from Alexandria, arriving at Portsmouth, England in mid-October where the Coventry was transferred to the Humber Force 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron at Immingham, England on 20 October for Anti-Aircraft duties for convoys along the east coast of England. 21 October 1939 saw the HMS Coventry's first action of World War II when the ship was involved in defending a convoy which came under aerial attack by German aircraft, after which, the ship was detached from the convoy escort due to an equipment casualty involving the ship's steering gear. The ship then returned to Immingham for repairs on 23 October until early November. Upon completion of repairs to the steering gear, the Coventry resumed convoy defense duties. On 10 November, while on passage to Pentland Firth, Scotland, the steering gear failed again in heavy weather. The ship then made for Sullom Voe, Shetland Islands using emergency manual steering (manual handcrank system for the steering system hydraulics) where the steering system underwent repairs. While at Sullom Voe, the ship was assigned duty as an Anti-Aircraft Guradship for the Flying Boat base located there (No. 201 Flying Boat Squadron). Involved in an action on this date with high flying enemy aircraft. A "Saunders-Roe A27 London" Flying Boat. Type used by the No. 201 Flying Boat Squadron. Sullom Voe was attacked on 13 November 1939 by 6 German Heinkel aircraft. The Coventry returned fire and shot down one of the aircraft. (The Heinkels would go on to sink two Sunderland aircraft at anchor off of Lewick, Shetland Islands.) The Coventry remained at Sullom Voe on AA Guardship duty for the month of December. On Christmas Day, along with Destroyers HMS Icarus and Inglefield, were in an action against high-flying enemy aircraft. 01 January 1940 found the Coventry under attack by Dornier DO-17 aircraft. Suffered near miss in the attack which resulted in damage to the ship. Released from AA Guardship duty on 15 January when Army AA batteries at Sullom Voe became operational. Departed Sullom Voe on 17 January and made passage to Chatham, U.K. for machinery and steering system repairs. In February and April 1940 the Coventry was under repair at Chatham which included alterations to the ship's masts, installation of a Type 279 Aircraft Warning Radar complete with a Plotting Office, outfitting with Degaussing coils, and removal of the 2 after 4-inch gunmounts (Nos. 6 and 7). On 22 April 1940 the ship changed Commanding Officers, with Captain David Gilmour, RN, taking over command. The outgoing Commanding Officer, Captain Richard Francis John Onslow (MVO, DSC, RN) being transferred to take command the HMS Hermes. The ship was also during this month to become the Flagship of the Humber Force 1st Anti-Aircraft Squadron (Cruiser Squadron 20) On 02 May the ship made passage to Rosyth, Scotland where radar and gunnery trials were conducted. Upon completion of these trials the Coventry proceeded to Sullom Voe and then made passage on 08 May for Anti-Aircraft defense duties off of Norway. Detached from Anti-Aircraft defense duties and rendevouzed with Cruiser HMS Calcutta and Destroyers HMS Zulu, HMS Campbell, HMS Witch, and HMS Isis and assisted in the escort of two merchant ships and the HMS Penelope, an Arethusa Class Light Cruiser, which had run aground at Fleinvaer, Norway on 11 April (damaged hull, flooded Boiler Room) and was being towed to Greenock for repair. On 11 May, deployed on patrol and Anti-Aircraft Guardship duties for HMS Resolution and the Destroyer HMS Eskimo in Ofot Fjord, Norway, which had had her bow blown off during the 2nd Battle of Narvik on 13 April by a torpedo fired from the German Destroyer Georg Thiele and had been towed to Skelfjord by HMS Bedouin for temporary repairs. The damaged "HMS Eskimo" at Skelfjord, Norway, April 1940 The HMS Coventry came under heavy and sustained aerial attacks on 13 April in which she expended so much of her ammunition that Barrage firing had to be stopped. The ship must have been re-supplied shortly afterwards because on 14 April she provided cover for the Cruiser Aurora and Destroyers HMS Fame and HMS Wren during the bombardment of Narvik, Norway. On 16 April 1940, the Coventry, with Cruisers HMS Cairo and Effingham, embarked troops being evacuated from Narvik, and then made passage to Bodø, Norway, escorted by Destroyers HMS Echo and Matabele. The HMS Effingham (Capt. John Montagu Howson, RN), while transporting troops of the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, among others, from Ankenes to Bodø, Norway on 18 May, ran aground at Fasken Shoal, near Harstad, Norway, while steaming at 23 knots. The ship's crew and passengers were taken off and delivered to Harsted by the HMS Coventry, HMS Cairo, HMS Echo, and HMS Matabele. (The Effingham was declared a total loss and was later sunk by torpedo and gunfire from the Matabele on 21 May 1940.) After disembarking the Effingham's troops, the Conventry replaced the HMS Curlew as Anti-Aircraft Guardship at Lavangs, Norway after the Curlew had been sunk in an aerial attack while on passage off of Skutenes, Lavangfjord. From 19-25 May 1940 the ship continued Anti-Aircraft Guardship duty, enduring continuous aerial attacks (One source cites 75 aerial attacks since 11 April). On 25 April the Coventry was transferred to Harstad, Norway in relief of HMS Aurora, taking over Anti-Aircraft Guardship duties until 27 May when she provided NGFS (Naval Gunfire Support) under heavy resistance at Narvik with the Cruiser HMS Southhampton and 5 Destroyers. Withdrew from the engagement after the HMS Cairo was damaged by aerial attack and returned to with 2 Destroyers. From 29 May until being detached on 04 June, the Coventry was assigned AA Guardship duties at Ofot Fjord for convoy assembly. On 04 June the ship departed Ofot Fjord as convoy escort with Cruiser HMS Southampton and Destroyers Beagle, Delight, Fame, Firedrake, and Havelock for Evacuation Group II, the evacuation convoy from Narvik. This military convoy from Narvik consisted of the troopships Oronsay, Ormonde, Arandora Star, Royal Ulsterman, Ulster Prince, Ulster Monarch, and Duchess of York. Made passage to Glasgow, Scotland, and then to the Tyne shipyard at Wallsend where the HMS Coventry went into a repair period during which she had her gun barrels replaced, and then rejoined the Home Fleet on 30 June 1940. Deployed on 06 June with the Cruiser HMS Southampton and Destroyer HMS Fame plus 4 others in search of the S-Class submarine HMS Shark in the North Sea. Under continual air attacks during search. Submarine not located. (Note: The HMS Shark had been damaged by German aerial attack approximately 25-miles off of Egersund, Norway and was subsequently scuttled by the crew during capture.) The "HMS Shark", S-Class submarine, on the day of her sinking (Photo taken from German tugboat) The HMS Coventry escorted the damaged HMS Fame to Rosyth, Scotland on 07 July and then made passage to Scapa Flow. (The HMS Fame had received splinter damage during the search for the HMS Shark.) While enroute to Scapa Flow, found a Dutch merchant vessel adrift and abandoned. (No additional information concerning the ship.) On 10 June, provided escort for ships of the 1st Minelaying Squadron as part of Operation SN-1 for the laying of mines in the Northern Barrage. Detached from escort duties after encountering Uboat attacks. From 12-28 July 1940 the HMS Coventry was deployed at Plymouth, England for Convoy Defense duty. Also during this period the ship was selected to be transferred to the Mediterranean Fleet to supplement the available Anti-Aircraft defenses. On 28 July the ship was docked at Her Majesty's Dock Yard at Devonport for repairs in preparation for deployment to the Mediterranean Fleet Deployed from Greenock with the Cruiser HMS Bonaventure on 21 August for escort duty of an Atlantic Convoy, detaching from the convoy on 2 days later and made passage to Gibraltar. Embarked troops at Gibraltar on 28 August for passage to Malta. Joined the Battleship HMS Valiant, Carrier HMS Illustrious, and AA Cruiser HMS Calcutta for transit to Alexandria, via Malta, as part of Operation HATS. Escorted by Battleship HMS Renown, Carrier Ark Royal, and Cruiser HMS Sheffield. Screening of the fleet to the Sicilian Narrows was provided by Destroyers of Force "H". Arrived at Malta on 01 September and embarked troops in Malta. Departed and joined ships of the Mediterranean Fleet, coming under air attacks. On 02 September, escorted convoy to Greece in the Kithera Channel with HMS Calcutta under sustained aerial attacks. Joined the Cruisers HMS Glasgow, HMS Liverpool, and HMAS Sydney for passage to Alexandria, arriving on 06 September. On 06 September 1940, while at Alexandria, transferred to the Red Sea Escort Force for Anti-Aircraft defense duties of convoys. Departed Alexandria on 07 September and joined Slow Convoy at Port Tewfik for passage to Aden. Detached from Slow Convoy on 11 September in order to provide escort for Convoy BS4 on passage to Aden due to threats of air attacks by Italian forces. Detached from the convoy at Aden and joined military convoy WS2A of Perim on 13 September, deploying with on 14 September with Cruiser HMAS Hobart, and Destroyers HMS Kandahar and Kingston for escort of Fast Section of northbound Convoy WS2A from the Red Sea to Suez consisting of the troopships Andes, Empress of Britain, and Empress of Canada. Detached from the Fast Convoy WS2A on 16 September when threats of aerial attacks to the convoy were deemed unlikely. Joined the southbound Convoy BS4B as AA defense escort during transit to Aden through high-threat part of the passage. Upon arrival at Aden on 19 September, came under aerial attack. Departed Aden on 20 September and escorted a northbound convoy to Bab el Mandeb with additional escorts HMS Ajax and two Javelin class Destroyers. Arrived at Bab el-Mandeb on 25 September without incident. (This convoy carried troops of the 6th Field Regiment, New Zealand Army.) Joined a convoy as escort on 26 September consiting of the Empress of Japan, Orion, and Oronsay on passage to Port Tewfik. On 27 September 1940, made passage through the Suez Canal with HMS Gnat and then returned to Alexandria, rejoining the Mediterranean Fleet. Participated in an unsuccessful search for an Italian Convoy rumoured to be located off of Libya on 02 October. Other ships participating in the search were the Carrier HMS Eagle, Battleships HMS Malaya and HMS Ramillies, and the Cruiser HMS Ajax. Then, on 08 October, provided Anti-Aircraft defense for the 7-ship Convoy ME-6 while on passage from Malta to Alexandria. Participated in an offensive sweep of the Eastern Mediterranean on 27 October with the Carrier HMS Eagle, Cruiser HMS Malaya, and other ships of the Mediterranean Fleet. 30 October found the Coventry conducting Guardship duty for the HMS Ajax, HMS Protector (Netlayer), minesweepers, and tankers, on passage to Suda Bay, Crete. Under low-level air attacks at Suda Bay on 01 November, and then under attack again on 02 November after departing Suda Bay with the HMS Ajax enroute to Alexandria. Alexandria Harbor during WWII. (German reconnaissance photo) Provided cover for the 5-ship Convoy MW-3 on passage from Alexandria to Malta and Convoy AN-6 on passage from Port Said to Piraeus on 05 November with HMS Ajax. Joined other Fleet units on 07 November after Convoy AN-6 detached for Suda Bay escorted by the HMS Calcutta and returned to Alexandria on 10 November covering the Battleship HMS Barham, Cruisers Berwick and Glasgow, and 3 Destroyers which were transferred from the Home Fleet during the Operation COAT segment of Operation MB8. (Operation COAT was for the re-supplying of troops and ant-aircraft guns from Britain to Malta.) On 15 November provided escort for the 7-ship Convoy AN-7 (Port Said/Piraeus) to Suda Bay, returning to Alexandria on 11 November. Provided escort again on 23 November, another convoy to Suda Bay, after which, the ship made passage to Malta. Joined ships of Force "D" on 27 November(HMS Ramillies, Newcastle, and Berwick being transferred to Force "H") and, after rendevouz with Force "H", briefly engaged a large Italian force south of Cape Spartivento (Battle of Cape Spartivento, also known as the Battle of Teulada in Italy.). The Italian fleet withdrew 54 minutes after the beginning of the engagement. Note:It is unclear whether or not the Coventry actually participated in the engagement as she was providing convoy escort at the time. Provided Anti-Aircraft defense for the Cruisers HMS Manchester, HMS Southampton, and other ships rejoining the Mediterranean Fleet during Operation COLLAR (23-30 November 1940). Returned to Alexandria with other Fleet Units on 28 November. December 11 found the HMS Coventry providing Anti-Aircraft defense duty for the HMS Barham during the bombardment of Mersa Matruh. (Note: Mersa Matruh may be incorrect as this was during the early phase of Operation COMPASS where the Allied forces were advancing to Bardia and Sollum, well to the west of Mersa Matruh which was in British hands.) NGFS (Naval Gunfire Support) at Mersa Matruh canceled on 12 December due to foul weather (one source sites a snowstorm, others site a sandstorm or "Khamsiin", which is more likely). On 13 December 1940 the Coventry was torpedoed by the Italian Adua-Class submarine Neghelli approximately 80 miles North-Northeast of Mersa Matruh at position 32º37'N, 26º44'E. The Coventry sustained severe damage to her bow but was able to return to Alexandria under her own power by steaming astern. The ship was temporarily repaired on 14 December. However, during sea trials on 27 December, the repaired bow section "fell off" (Wish we had a picture of THAT!). The ship was re-docked on 28 December and repairs continued with the replacement of the bow section with a heavier, concrete reinforced bow section. The Italian Adua Class submarine "Neghelli". Later sunk by the "HMS Hyperion" on 19 January 1942. Continued on Page 2 This site is operated on income derived from advertising and sales.