HMS Blackwood (K313)

HMS "Blackwood" was a Captain class frigate of the "Evarts-class" of destroyer escort, originally commissioned to be built for the U.S. Navy. Before she was finished in 1942, she was transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of Lend-Lease, and saw service during the Second World War.

Career

"Blackwood" was built by Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, USA and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 27 March 1943. She saw service on anti-submarine patrols and as a convoy escort. On 23 November 1943 she and the frigates HMS "Bazely" and HMS "Drury" sank the U-boat "U-648" north-east of the Azores, and two days later on 25 November "Bazely" and "Blackwood" sank "U-600" north of Punta Delgada.

"Blackwood" was part of the 4th Escort Group and was on patrol in the western approaches to the English Channel on 15 June 1944, covering ships bound for the allied invasion of Normandy when she was sighted by "U-746", which fired a Gnat at her. "Blackwood" was hit and damaged, killing 57 of the crew. She was taken under tow, but foundered off Portland Bill the following day. The wreck lies in position coord|50|07|00|N|02|01|06|W. in 60 meters of water, and is designated as a "protected place" under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986.

References

*Colledge
* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5657.html HMS Blackwood at Uboat.net]
* [http://www.captainclassfrigates.co.uk/ships/K313.html HMS Blackwood at Captain class frigate association]
* [http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencenews/historyandhonour/tenmilitaryshipwrecksprotectedasfinalrestingplaces.htm MoD announcement of designation]