HMS Foylebank

HMS "Foylebank" was a converted 5,500 ton merchant ship active during the Second World War. She was launched in 1930 and requisitioned in September 1939. [cite web |url=http://www.theheritagecoast.co.uk/historyfile/portland_and_weymouth/portlands_deep_sea_harbour/foylebank.htm |title=Foylebank |publisher=Heritage Coast |accessdate=2008-03-07] She was converted into an anti-aircraft ship, equipped with .5 inch machine guns and four twin high angle 4 inch turrets. The "Foylebank" saw action in Portland Harbour next to the Isle of Portland in Dorset, England. She arrived in Portland on 9 June 1940 for a build-up to anti-aircraft duties. On 4 July 1940 whilst the majority of her crew were at breakfast, unidentified aircraft were reported to the south. These were originally thought to be Allied aircraft returning to base but they turned out to be 26 Stuka dive bombers. These aircraft had the objective of disabling the "Foylebank" which was seen as a threat to their plans to destroy Britain's coastal shipping. 2 aircraft were shot down by the "Foylebank" but 22 bombs hit the ship and the ship listed to port, shrouded in smoke. She sank on 5 July 1940. One of the ship's company, Jack Foreman Mantle, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in defending the ship from aircraft whilst mortally injured. [cite web |url=http://www.victoriacross.org.uk/bbmantle.htm |title=Jack Mantle VC |publisher=victoriacross.org |date=2007-06-13 |accessdate=2008-03-07]

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