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Allied Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Nelson (28)


HMS Nelson (28) before the war

NameHMS Nelson (28)
Type:Battleship (Nelson)
Tonnage33.950 tons
Completed1927 - Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack4 Dec, 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateDamaged by U-31 (Johannes Habekost)
PositionGrid AM 3826
Complement? men (0 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy 
RouteNorthern Patrol - Loch Ewe - Clyde 
Cargo 
History Decommissioned on 20 Oct, 1947. On 19 Mar, 1948, sold to T.W. Ward and arrived at Inverkeithing for scrapping on 15 Mar, 1949. 
Notes on loss

At 07.52 hours on 4 Dec, 1939, HMS Nelson (28) (Capt G.J.A. Miles, RN) as flagship of the Home Fleet (Adm Forbes) was badly damaged by a mine laid on 27 October by U-31 at the entrance of Loch Ewe. The battleship was en route with HMS Devonshire (39), escorted by HMS Faulknor (H 62), HMS Fury (H 76), HMS Firedrake (H 79) and HMS Forester (H 74). The explosion seriously damaged her and injured 52 crew members.

The machinery of HMS Nelson (28) was not affected, but she could not be moved for repairs before the area was searched for further mines. On 23 December, HMS Glen Albyn and HMS Promotive were lost in the same minefield and only after five more mines were swept, it was possible for the battleship to leave Loch Ewe on 4 Jan, 1940. The ship was escorted by HMS Faulknor (H 62), HMS Foxhound (H 69) and HMS Impulsive (D 11) to Portsmouth, where she was repaired from 14 January to 8 June.

 


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