HMS Calder (K349)

HMS "Calder" was a "Buckley" class Captain class frigate during World War II. Named after Admiral Sir Robert Calder, Bt. KCB, who was appointed Captain of the Fleet to Admiral John Jervis in 1796, and saw action at the battle of Cape St Vincent on 14 February 1797.

The Commanding Officers of HMS "Calder" were Lt Cdr A D White RNR March 1943 and Lt Cdr E Playne RNVR February 1945.

Actions

HMS "Calder" served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group earning battle honours for service in 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|05|23|W by the frigates HMS|Aylmer|K463|6, HMS|Bentinck|K314|6, HMS "Calder" 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. It should be noted that it is not entirely clear if the ramming of U-1051 by HMS "Aylmer" was intentional and that Cdr B.W.Taylor was removed from command of HMS "Aylmer" shortly after this incident.

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.

General Information

*Pennant (UK): K 349
*Pennant (US): DE 58
*Built by: Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, U.S.A.)

External links

* [http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/5636.html Uboat.net page for HMS Calder]
* [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://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.