Allied Warships

HMS Wallace (L 64)

Destroyer of the Shakespeare class

HMS Wallace as Fast Escort armed with 4-inch Anti Aircaft guns

Navy	The Royal Navy
Type	Destroyer
Class	Shakespeare
Pennant	L 64
Mod	Fast escort
Built by	Thornycroft (Southampton, U.K.)
Ordered	Apr 1917
Laid down	Aug 1917
Launched	26 Oct 1918
Commissioned	29 Jan 1919
End service	20 Mar 1945
History	Reconstructed as Fast Escort, reconstruction completed on 14 June 1939. HMS Wallace served mainly on British east coast escorting coastal convoy's except for a brief period in 1943 when she went to the Mediterranean for the invasion of Sicily. On 16 March 1945 she collided with HMS Farndale off the Humber and considered not worth repairing she was paid off. Being sold to be broken up for scrap 4 days later.

Commands listed for HMS Wallace (L 64)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

	Commander	From	To
1	Lt.Cdr. William Maurice Lloyd Astwood, RN	22 Aug 1939	17 Jan 1940
2	Lt. Edward Anthony Savile Bailey, RN	17 Jan 1940	21 Jan 1940
3	Lt.Cdr. William Maurice Lloyd Astwood, RN	21 Jan 1940	20 Feb 1940
4	Cdr. Ballin Illingworth Robertshaw, RN	20 Feb 1940	11 Sep 1940
5	Lt.Cdr. (emergency) Edward Gavin Heywood-Lonsdale, RN	11 Sep 1940	16 Feb 1943
6	Lt. Denis Guy Douglas Hall-Wright, RN	16 Feb 1943	18 May 1943
7	Lt. Duncan Carson, RN	18 May 1943	late 1943

8	Cdr. Jackson Whayman, RD, RNR	4 Jan 1944	20 Jan 1944
9	Lt.Cdr. Robert Sydney Hopper, DSC, RN	20 Jan 1944	Mar 1945

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Notable events involving Wallace include:

1 Sep 1939
The Polish destroyers Burza (Komandor Podporucznik Stanislaw Michal Nahorski, ORP), Grom (Komandor Podporucznik Aleksander Hulewicz, ORP) and Blyskawica (Komandor Podporucznik Wlodzimierz Andrzey Kodrebski-Poraj, ORP) were met in the North Sea by British aircraft and the British destroyers HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr. William Maurice Lloyd Astwood, RN) and HMS Wanderer (Cdr Reginald Francis Morice, RN). They were escorted to Leith.

13 Sep 1939
HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr. W.M.L. Astwood, RN) is damaged in a in a collision off Lowestoft with the British merchant Redriff (1577 GRT). Wallace is under repair until 23 October.

26 Feb 1940
Convoy MT 18 proceeded from Methil Roads to the Tyne. It was being escorted by the sloop HMS Flamingo (Cdr. J.H. Huntley, RN) and the AA destroyer HMS Wallace (Lt. E.A.S. Bailey, RN, RN). The escort was reinforced by the destroyer HMS Jackal (Cdr. T.M. Napier, RN). (1)

28 Apr 1940
Around 1400A/28, the light cruisers HMS Galatea (Capt. B.B. Schofield, RN, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral G.F.B. Edward-Collins, CB, KCVO, RN), HMS Arethusa (Capt. Q.D. Graham, RN) departed Rosyth for Scapa Flow where they arrived around 0115A/29. At sea they were joined by the escort destroyers HMS Valorous (Lt.Cdr. E. Mack, RN) and HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN). (2)

13 May 1940
HMS Trident (Lt.Cdr. G.M. Sladen, RN) conducted exercises in the Firth of Forth. These included A/S exercises with HMS Sabre (Cdr.(Retd.) B. Dean, RN) and HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN). (3)

4 Jul 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) and the Norwegian patrol vessel Fridtjof Nansen were docked in No.1 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)

7 Jul 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) and the Norwegian patrol vessel Fridtjof Nansen were undocked. (4)

8 Jul 1940
HMS Truant (Lt.Cdr. H.A.V. Haggard, RN) departed from Rosyth for her 10th war patrol. She is to patrol off the Norwegian coast near Bergen.

On departure A/S exercises were carried out with HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) and HMS Wolfhound ( Lt.Cdr. J.W. McCoy, DSC, RN). Also a practice attack was made on HMS Wolfhound. (5)

31 Jul 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)

15 Aug 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) is undocked. (4)

2 Sep 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) is docked in No.2 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)

5 Sep 1940
HMS Wallace (Cdr. B.I. Robertshaw, RN) is undocked. (4)

31 Oct 1941
HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN) is docked in No.3 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)

4 Nov 1941
HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN) is undocked. (4)

21 Nov 1941
With her refit completed HMS Renown (Capt. C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN) conducted D/G trials off Rosyth. On completion of these trials she departed for Scapa Flow escorted by the destroyers HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN), HMS Vimiera (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RNR) and HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN). (6)

22 Nov 1941
HMS Renown (Capt. C.S. Daniel, CBE, DSO, RN), HMS Arrow (Cdr. A.M. McKillop, RN), HMS Vimiera (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RNR) and HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN) arrived at Scapa Flow. (6)

13 Apr 1942
HMS Icarus (Lt.Cdr. C.D. Maud, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, DSC, RN) are docked in No.1 graving dock at the Rosyth Dockyard. (4)

16 Apr 1942
HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, DSC, RN) is undocked. (4)

3 May 1942
The brand new battleship HMS Anson (Capt. H.R.G. Kinahan, CBE, RN) proceeded from the Tyne to Rosyth for further outfitting by the dockyard there. She is escorted by the escort destroyers HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr.(Emy.) E.G. Heywood-Lonsdale, RN), HMS Westminster (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, DSC, RN) and HMS Wolsey (Lt. T.F. Taylor, RN).

At the Rosyth Dockyard HMS Anson was immediately docked in No.1 Dock.

4 Jun 1943
HrMs O 14 (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) conducted A/S exercises in the Firth of Forth with HMS Westminster (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Bowerman, DSC, RN), HMS Brimness (Skr. A.E. Larner, RNR), HMS Vega (Lt. C.G. Forsberg, RN) and HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN). (7)

13 Jun 1943
HMS Sceptre (Lt. I.S. McIntosh, MBE, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Scapa Flow with HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN), and HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN) and HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN). (8)

20 Jun 1943

Combined convoy WS 31 / KMS 17.

This combined convoy was formed off Oversay on 20 June 1943. The convoy was divided into convoys WS 31 and KMS 17 at sea on 26 June 1943.

The combined convoy was made up of the following (troop) transports; Britannic (British, 26943 GRT, built 1930), City of Lincoln (British, 8039 GRT, built 1938), Clan Macarthur (British, 10528 GRT, built 1936), Clan Macaulay (British, 10492 GRT, built 1936), Cristobal (American, 10021 GRT, built 1939), General George W. Goethals (American, 12093 GRT, built 1942), John Ericsson (American, 16552 GRT, built 1928), J.W. McAndrew (American, 7997 GRT, built 1940), Largs Bay (British, 14182 GRT, built 192), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928), Samaria (British, 19597 GRT, built 1921), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Silverteak (British, 6770 GRT, built 1930), Stratheden (British, 23722 GRT, built 1937) and Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922).

Also the netlayer HMS Guardian (Capt.(Retd.) H.A.C. Lane, OBE, RN) was part of the convoy.

After assembly of Oversay the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Uganda (Capt. W.G. Andrewes, RN), destroyers HMS Arrow (Lt.Cdr. W.W. Fitzroy, RN), HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, DSC, RN), HMS Witherington (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN) and the escort destroyers HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN), HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Mendip (Capt. C.R.L. Parry, RN), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN), HMS Blencathra (Lt. E.G. Warren, RN), HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN), HMS Brecon (Lt.Cdr. T.D. Herrick, DSC and Bar, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN).

On 25 June HMS Arrow and HMS Amazon parted company with the combined convoy to proceed to Casablanca to fuel. They arrived at Casablanca around 1730A/25.

Around 1730B/25, the destroyers HMS Foxhound (Cdr. C.J. Wynne-Edwards, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog (Lt.Cdr. E.J. Lee, RN) and escort destroyer HMS Blackmore (Lt. H.T. Harrel, RN) were to join the combined convoy in position 36°05'N, 07°54'W. They had departed Gibraltar earlier on the 25th.

When these destroyers joined the destroyer HMS Witherington and escort destroyer HMS Ledbury were to proceed to Casablanca.

Also the convoy was to split. Convoy KMF 17, made up of the transports Britannic, Cristobal, J.W. McAndrew, Largs Bay, Samaria, Santa Rosa, Silverteak, Tamaroa and the netlayer HMS Guardian. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Uganada and the escort destroyers HMS Viceroy, HMS Wallace, HMS Woolston, HMS Hambledon, HMS Mendip, HMS Blankney, HMS Blencathra, HMS Brecon and HMS Brissenden proceeded towards the Mediterranean.

On the 26th, HMS Uganda, HMS Guardian, HMS Viceroy and one of the transports arrived at Gibraltar.

On the 27th, HMS Uganda, which had rejoined the convoy after a brief stopover at Gibraltar, 7 of the transports and HMS Wallace, HMS Woolston, HMS Hambledon, HMS Mendip, HMS Blankney, HMS Blencathra, HMS Brecon and HMS Brissenden arrived at Algiers.

Meanwhile Convoy WS 31, made up of the transports City of Lincoln, Clan Macarthur, Clan Macaulay, General George W. Goethals, John Ericsson, Stratheden and Tamaroa continued on to Freetown.

The convoy was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Foxhound, HMS Bulldog and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

The destroyer HMS Amazon also rejoined after fuelling at Casablanca. It had originally been the intention that HMS Arrow was also to rejoin the convoy but while at Casablanca orders had been received that she was to proceed to Gibraltar instead.

On 1 July the French armed merchant cruiser Quercy joined the convoy.

Convoy WS 31 arrived at Freetown on 4 July 1943.

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Convoy WS 31 departed Freetown on 6 July 1943.

It was now made up of the transports City of Lincoln, Clan Macarthur, Clan Macaulay, General George W. Goethals, John Ericsson, Rangitiki, Stirling Castle (British, 25550 GRT, built 1936) and Stratheden.

The convoy was now escorted by the light cruiser HMS Despatch (Capt. W.R.C. Leggatt, RN), armed merchant cruisers HMS Corfu (Capt.(Retd.) C.C. Bell, DSO, RN), Quercy, destroyers HMS Foxhound, HMS Bulldog, HMS Wolverine (Lt. I.M. Clegg, RN) and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

in the early afternoon of the 7th, in approximate position 03°15'N, 14°54'W the Rangitiki was to be detached to proceed independently to Montevideo.

HMS Despatch was to arrived at Takoradi late in the afternoon of the 9th to fuel and after completion of this on the 10th she was to rejoin the convoy. HMS Wolverine also made a short call at Takoradi on the 10th to fuel and then rejoin the convoy.

On the 10th HMS Bulldog and HMS Blackmore were detached to proceed to Lagos to fuel and then escort transports from there to join the convoy. HMS Corfu was also detached on the 10th to proceed to Ascencion after first calling at Takoradi.

The destroyer HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and corvette HMS Armeria (Lt. M. Todd, RNR) had joined the convoy on the 10th.

On the 11th the transports Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Highland Brigade (British, 14134 GRT, built 1929), Highland Monarch (British, 14139 GRT, built 1928) and Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929) joined the convoy coming from Lagos. They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Rapid (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Tomkinson, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog and the escort destroyer HMS Blackmore.

When these ships joined HMS Foxhound, HMS Witch and HMS Armeria then parted company and proceeded to Lagos arriving there also on the 11th.

HMS Despatch and HMS Rapid arrived at Pointe Noire to fuel at 0700Z/14. They departed again to rejoin the convoy at 1430Z/14.

Meanwhile the destroyers HMS Quadrant (Lt.Cdr. W.H. Farrington, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Ropner, DSO, RN) had departed Pointe Noire at 0900Z/14 to join the convoy.

At 1800Z/14, the Quercy, HMS Bulldog and HMS Blackmore arrived at Pointe Noire.

At 0600Z/15, HMS Wolverine arrived at Pointe Noire.

The convoy arrived at Capetown on 21 July 1943. HMS Despatch, HMS Quadrant, HMS Rapid and HMS Redoubt then continued on to Simonstown arriving there later the same day.

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A much reduced convoy WS 31 departed Capetown on 26 July 1943. It was now made up of the transports Arawa, Highland Brigade, Highland Monarch, Staffordshire, Stirling Castle and Stratheden. The convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Despatch and the destroyers HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt.

They were relieved near Mauritius on 4 August 1943 by the heavy cruiser HMS Frobisher (Capt. J.F.W. Mudford, RN) which took the convoy to Bombay where it arrived on 13 August 1943.

HMS Despatch, HMS Quadrant and HMS Redoubt arrived at Mauritius on 5 August 1943.

28 Jun 1943

Convoy KMF 18

This convoy departed U.K. waters on 28 June 1943.

It was made up of the following (troop) transports; Ascania (British, 14013 GRT, built 1925), Batory (Polish, 14287 GRT, built 1936), Circassia (British, 11136 GRT, built 1937), Derbyshire (British, 11660 GRT, built 1935), Durban Castle (British, 17388 GRT, built 1938), Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929) and Marnix van St. Aldegonde (Dutch, 19355 GRT, built 1930).

The headquarters ship HMS Hilary (Capt.(Retd.) J.F. Paget, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral P.L. Vian, KBE, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), fighter direction ship HMS Ulster Queen (A/Capt. M.H.J. Bennett, RD, RNR) and landing ships HMS Glengyle (A/Capt. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMS Boxer (Lt.Cdr. G.B Herbert-Jones, RNR), HMS Bruiser (Lt.Cdr. J. Stretch, RD, RNR) and HMS Thruster (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A.W. McMullan, DSC, RNR).

The convoy was escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN), sloops HMS Pheasant (Cdr. L.F. Durnford-Slater, RN), HMS Chanticleer (Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bristowe, DSO, RN), HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, RN), HMS Cygnet (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Proudfoot, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR) and the frigates HMS Test (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR) and HMS Trent (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Rankin, DSC, RNR).

Around 2300B/1, HMS Colombo parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead to Gibraltar to fuel and rejoin the convoy. She arrived at Gibraltar around 1535B/3. After fuelling she departed Gibraltar around 2200B/3 for Algiers where she arrived around 1950B/4. On entering harbour her port engine failed.

Around 0600B/5, the escort destroyer HMS Ledbury (Lt. D.R.N. Murdoch, RN) and netlayer HMS Guardian (Capt.(Retd.) H.A.C. Lane, OBE, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar which they had departed around 0330B/5.

Around 1325B/6, the sloops HMS Cygnet and HMS Whimbrel attacked a submarine in position 36°46'N, 01°38'E. This was U-409 which escaped without damage.

Around 2115B/6, the AA cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.T.G.C. Peachey, RN) joined the convoy coming from Algiers.

On 7 July, HMS Ledbury and HMS Ulster Queen rejoined the convoy after having fuelled at Algiers.

Also on 7 July the destroyer HMS Anthony (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Wallace, DSC, RN) and escort destroyers HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN), HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN), HMS Mendip (Capt. C.R.L. Parry, RN, Capt. D 21), HMS Blankney (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, RN), HMS Blencathra (Lt. E.G. Warren, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.C. Beatty, RN) joined the convoy coming from Bone. HMS Pheasant, HMS Chanticleer, HMS Crane, HMS Cygnet, HMS Whimbrel, HMS Test and HMS Trent then parted company and arrived at Bone also on the 7th.

Around 1300B/9, the following transports joined the convoy from convoy KMS 18B; Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Empire Confidence (British, 5023 GRT, built 1925), Orestes (British, 7748 GRT, built 1926) and Prometeus (British, 6096 GRT, built 1925). Also joining was the landing ships Derwentdale (Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA), 8390 GRT, built 1941) and the HMS LST 301 (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.F. Hoyle, RNR), HMS LST 305 (A/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Naylor, RNR), HMS LST 319 (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN), HMS LST 321 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.H. Metcalfe, RNR), HMS LST 365 (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.F. Halliday, RNR), HMS LST 366 (A/Lt.Cdr. N. Hall, RNR) and HMS LST 424 (Lt.Cdr. G.R. Grandage, RNR).

Besides these transports the monitor HMS Roberts (A/Capt.(Retd.) R.E.C. Dunbar, RN) also joined the convoy.

Around 1815B/9, HMS Guardian parted company with the convoy to proceed independently to Malta where she arrived around 2100B/9.

The convoy arrived off Sicily in the early hours of 10 July 1943.

6 Jul 1943
Around 1700B/6, the AA cruiser HMS Colombo (Capt. D.H. Hall-Thompson, RN) conducted engine trials off Algiers. On completion of these trials an hour later she was joined by the escort destroyers HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN) and HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. G.W. McKendrick, RN) and they set course to the east. The AA cruiser was to join convoy KMS 18B which she did around 0515B/8 and the escort destroyers were to proceed to Bone.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy KMS 18B ' for 24 June 1943 (on the page of HMS Colombo only).] (9)

31 Jul 1943

Convoy MKS 20.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 31 July 1943.

This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Empire Beatrice (British, 7046 GRT, built 1943), Empire Fal (British, 4880 GRT, built 1914), Empire Nightingale (British, 5698 GRT, built 1918), Fort Norman (British, 7133 GRT, built 1942), Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923), Helencrest (British, 5233 GRT, built 1941), Stirlingville (British, 1995 GRT, built 1937) and Ville de Strasbourg (British, (former French), 7007 GRT, built 1920).

Three of these vessels were damaged, the Franconia had her port engine out of action and the Fort Norman and Ville de Strasbourg had underwater damage and were both open to the sea in one hold.

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the minesweepers Shippigan (Cdr. M.H. Brown, DSC, RN), Tadoussac (T/Lt. J.P. Davies, RNR), HMS Ilfracombe (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Clark, DSC, RN), HMS Wedgeport (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.L. Fetherstonhaugh, RNR), HMS Parrsboro (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J.G. Raven, DSC, RNVR), HMS Dornoch (Lt. H.E. Jackson, RN) and HMS Qualicum (T/Lt. H. Stevens, RNVR).

Later the escort destroyers HMS Viceroy (Lt. T.F. Hallifax, RN), HMS Woolston (Lt. F.W. Hawkins, RN) and HMS Wallace (Lt. D. Carson, RN) departed Gibraltar to overtake and join the convoy which they did around dawn on 1 August 1943.

Around 1700B/2, in position 36°34'N, 12°20'W, the light (AA) cruiser HMS Scylla (Capt. I.A.P. Macintyre, CBE, DSO, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 2200B/4, in position 42°31'N, 15°58'W, HMS Scylla parted company with the convoy to join convoy MKF 20.

Around 2300B/4, in position 42°38'N, 15°58'W, HMS Viceroy, HMS Woolston and HMS Wallace were detached to proceed to Plymouth.

Around 2230B/6, in position 48°29'N, 15°51'W, the Franconia was detached to proceed ahead of the convoy as it had to reduce speed after the Fort Norman had sustained weather damage. Franconia took HMS Ilfracombe and HMS Qualicum with her as escorts.

Around 0930B/9, the Ville de Strasbourg parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead to Greenock.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters late on the 9th and the ships then proceeded to their respective destinations. The escorts proceeded to Moville (Londonderry). (10)

16 Mar 1945
HMS Wallace (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Hopper, DSC, RN) collided with HMS Farndale (Cdr. E.G. Roper, DSO, DSC, RN) off the Humber and considered not worth repairing she was paid off. Being sold to be broken up for scrap four days later.