HMS Bentinck (K314)

HMS "Bentinck" was a "Buckley" class "Captains class" frigate during World War II. Named after John Bentinck commander of HMS|Niger|1759|6 which participated in a number of engagements during the Seven Years' War including one in which HMS "Niger" defeated the French 74 gun ship of the line "Diadem".

Originally destined for the US Navy HMS "Bentinck" was provisionally given the name USS "Bull" (later this name was reassigned to DE 693) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding Officers were Cdr E H Chavasse RN (Senior Officer 4th Escort Group) June 1943 and Cdr R Garwood RN (Senior Officer 4th Escort Group) July 1944.

Actions

HMS "Bentinck" served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group taking part in operations in the Arctic (Russian Convoys) and the North Atlantic.

On January 26, 1945 the submarine U-1051 was sunk in the Irish Sea south of the Isle of Man, at position coord|53.39|N|5.23|W by the frigates HMS "Bentinck", HMS|Aylmer|K463|6, HMS|Calder|K349|6 and HMS|Manners|K568|6. U-1051 was forced to the surface by the use of depth charges, then a gun battle ensued with U-1051 finally sinking after it had been rammed by HMS "Aylmer". This action resulted in the loss of all hands (47) from the crew of U-1051.

On April 8, 1945 the submarine U-774 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, at position coord|49.58|N|11.51|W by the frigates HMS "Bentinck" and HMS "Calder". U-774 was attacked by the use of depth charges after its periscope was spotted by a lookout on HMS "Calder". This action resulted in loss of all hands (44) aboard U-774.

On April 21, 1945 the submarine U-636 was sunk in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, at position coord|55.50|N|10.31|W by the frigates HMS "Bentinck", HMS|Bazely|K311|6 and HMS|Drury|K316|6. U-636 was attacked by the use of depth charges. This action resulted in loss of all hands (42) aboard U-636.

General Information

*Pennant (UK): K 314
*Pennant (US): DE 52
*Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

External links

* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5634.html Uboat.net page for HMS Bentinck]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u1051.htm Uboat.net page for U-1051]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u774.htm Uboat.net page for U-774]
* [http://uboat.net/boats/u636.htm Uboat.net page for U-636]
* [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.