HMS Byard (K315)

HMS "Byard" was a "Buckley" class "Captains class" frigate during World War II. Named Sir Thomas Byard, who commanded HMS|Bedford|1775|6 at the Battle of Camperdown in 1797 during the French Revolutionary Wars.

Originally destined for the US Navy HMS "Byard" was provisionally given the name USS "Donaldson" (this name was reassigned to DE 44) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding Officers were Lt Cdr L H Phillips RN February 1943, Lt Cdr K Ferris RNVR January 1944 and Lt J I Jones RN June 1944.

Actions

HMS "Byard" served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in the North Atlantic.

On 17 October 1943, HMS "Byard" was escorting an Atlantic convoy which was attacked by a wolf pack of 16 submarines east of Cape Farewell, Greenland. During the ensuing battle HMS "Byard" sank the submarine U-841 at position coord|59|57|N|31|06|W, by the use of depth charges resulting in 27 dead and 27 survivors from U-841's crew. This action made HMS "Byard" the first "Captains class" frigate to destroy a Kriegsmarine submarine.

General Information

*Pennant (UK): K 315
*Pennant (US): DE 55
*Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

External links

* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5635.html Uboat.net page for HMS Byard]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u841.htm Uboat.net page for U-841]
* [http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/ captainclassfrigates.co.uk]

References

* "The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War" by Donald Collingwood. published by Leo Cooper (1998), ISBN 085052 615 9.
* "The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts" by Bruce Hampton Franklin, published by Chatham Publishing (1999), ISBN 086176118X.
* "German U-Boat Losses During World War II" by Axel Niestle, published by United States Naval Inst (1998), ISBN 1557506418.