Allied Warships

HMS Lossie (K 303)

Frigate of the River class

NavyThe Royal Navy
TypeFrigate
ClassRiver 
PennantK 303 
Built byCanadian Vickers (Montreal, Canada) 
Ordered9 Dec 1941 
Laid down2 Oct 1942 
Launched30 Apr 1943 
Commissioned14 Aug 1943 
End service 
History

Was to be built in Canada for the United States Navy but transferred to the Royal Navy under the lend-lease program.

Returned to the U.S.N. 26 January 1946.  

Commands listed for HMS Lossie (K 303)

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and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1Lt.Cdr. Archibald Frederick MacFie, OBE, RD, RNR14 Aug 1943Oct 1945

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Notable events involving Lossie include:


20 Jan 1944
HMS H 34 (Lt. R.L. Jay, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR). (1)

21 Jan 1944
HMS Unbending (Lt. J.D. Martin, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises in Lough Foyle with HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR) then anchored at Moville. (2)

31 Jan 1944
HMS Strongbow (Lt. J.A.R. Troup, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR) and aircraft from HMS Biter (Capt. L.A.K. Boswell, DSO, RN). (3)

5 Feb 1944

Convoy HX 278.

This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; A Frank Lever (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Alan-A-Dale (Panamanian, 4646 GRT, built 1938), Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6404 GRT, built 1943), Andrew A. Humphreys (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), Athelduke (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1929), Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Belgian Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 8237 GRT, 1929), Brimanger (Norwegian, 4883 GRT, built 1929), Cornwall (British, 10605 GRT, built 1920), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Edward D. White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), El Oceano (Panamanian, 6767 GRT, built 1925), Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Fernwood (Norwegian, 4695 GRT, built 1930), Fjordass (Norwegian (tanker), 7361 GRT, built 1931), Florence Crittenton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort St.Croix (British, 7160 GRT, built 1943), George G. Crawford (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), George T. Angell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Grant Wood (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Harvey Cushing (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Henry S. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Watterson (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Irwin Russell (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), John Davenport (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Merrick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John N. Maffitt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Jefferson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Julius Rosenwald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Longwood (British (tanker), 9463 GRT, built 1930), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Mobile City (American, 6157 GRT, built 1920), Omar E. Chapman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Orari (British, 10350 GRT, built 1931), Ovula (Dutch (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Robert Toombs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Colt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), San Vito (British (tanker), 8163 GRT, built 1943), Socony-Vacuum (American (tanker), 9511 GRT, built 1935), Sovac (British (tanker), 6724 GRT, 1938), Trojan Star (British, 9037 GRT, built 1936), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), W.R. Keever (American, 5350 GRT, built 1920), William McKinley (American, 7200 GRT, built 1920) and William Pepperell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Judges, RCNVR), HMCS Timmins (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.S. Maxwell, RCNVR), HMCS Trail (T/Lt. G.M. Hope, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Winnipeg (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.D.F. Johnston, RCNR).

On 7 February 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Halifax to join the convoy; Ariguani (British, 6746 GRT, built 1926), Bayano (British, 6815 GRT, built 1917), Benjamin H. Grierson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), David F. Houston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edward Everett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Egbert Benson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire MacMahon (British (tanker and MAC ship), 8856 GRT, built 1943), Fort Amherst (British, 3489 GRT, built 1936), Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James I. McKay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jeremiah O'Brien (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Chandler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John G. Whittier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Montgemery City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1920), Stephen B. Elkins (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Victor Herbert (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Walter A. Luckenbach (American, 6024 GRT, built 1918).

The rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) was also part of this group.

They were escorted by the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Skr.Lt. L.A. Hickey, RCNR), HMCS Port Arthur (T/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, DSC, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Sault Ste Marie (Lt.Cdr. R. Jackson, RCNVR). HMCS Arrowhead however returned the following day.

On these merchant ships joining the convoy the Harvey Cushing and Socony-Vacuum were detached to Halifax escorted by HMCS Port Arthur and HMCS Sault Ste Marie. They all arrived around Halifax on 9 February 1944.

Also on 9 February 1944, the Vacport arrived back at New York after having been forced to return.

On 10 February 1944, the original escort was replaced by a new escort made up of the frigates HMS Mourne (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Holland, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Clematis (T/Lt. R.H. Farrands, DSC, RNR), HMS Gentian (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Heather (T/Lt. W.L. Turner, RNR) and the minesweeper HMS Tattoo (T/Lt. A. Twiss, RNVR). The came from Argentia and St. Johns which they had departed between 7 and 9 February 1944.

On 11 February 1944, the Fort Amherst arrived at St. Johns after having been detached from the convoy. She was escorted by HMS Cobalt and HMCS Winnipeg.

On 13 February 1944, the Cairnesk arrived at St. Johns with defects after having been detached from the convoy. She was escorted by HMS Timmins and HMCS Trail.

On 14 February 1944, the corvette HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR) joined the convoy after having departed St. Johns on 11 February 1944.

On 14 February 1944, ships from the 2nd Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC, RN), HMS Woodpecker (Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and HMS Wren (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN). They remained with the convoy until 17 February 1944.

On 15 February 1944, the escort carriers HMS Striker (Capt. F.M. Walton, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.

On 16 February 1944, ships from the 7th Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the sloops HMS Woodcock (Cdr.(Retd.) J.F. Blackburn, DSO, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Hart (Cdr.(Retd.) M.B. Sherwood, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, RN) and from the 10th Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the frigates HMS Spey (Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Rother (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Wear (Lt.Cdr. Gerald MacClelland, DSC, RN). Both the 7th and 10th Escort Group parted company with the convoy on 17 February 1944.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 19 February 1944.

8 Feb 1944

Convoy ON 223.

This convoy was assembled in the North Channel on 8 February 1944.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; A.J. Cermak (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Alabaman (American, 7033 GRT, built 1921), Alcoa Cutter (American, 5057 GRT, built 1918), Alcoa Trader (American, 5590 GRT, built 1920), Ameriki (Greek, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Atlanta City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1921), British Promise (British (tanker), 8443 GRT, built 1942), Caxton (British, 7271 GRT, built 1943), Ceronia (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Champ Clark (American, 7196 GRT, built 1942), Charles C. Jones (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Columbian (American, 6310 GRT, built 1913), Daghestan (British, 7248 GRT, built 1941), Duala (Norwegian, 1800 GRT, built 1938), Duke of Athens (British, 5217 GRT, built 1940), Edwin L. Godkin (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Empire MacAlpine (British (MAC ship), 7954 GRT, built 1943), Empire Sceptre (British, 7359 GRT, built 1944), Fagerfjell (Norwegian (tanker), 8072 GRT, built 1935), Fort Moose (British, 7130 GRT, built 1943), Frithjof Nansen (Norwegian, 7177 GRT, built 1943), George Berkeley (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Hawaiian (American, 6270 GRT, built 1919), Hindustan (British, 5245 GRT, built 1940), Hoke Smith (American, 7199 GRT, built 1943), Howell E. Jackson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Idefjord (Norwegian, 4287 GRT, built 1921), J.L. Luckenbach (American, 6369 GRT, built 1919), James McHenry (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), James Rumsey (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), Joel R. Poinsett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John A. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), John Catron (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Sedgwick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Joshua B. Lippencott (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Katrina Luckenbach (American, 5854 GRT, built 1918), Lombardy (British, 3379 GRT, built 1921), Mexican (American, 8030 GRT, built 1907), Naranio (British (tanker), 8134 GRT, built 1943), Norheim (Norwegian (tanker), 9816 GRT, built 1941), Oliver Hazard Perry (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Palembang (Dutch, 7070 GRT, built 1921), Peter Cartwright (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Raranga (British, 10043 GRT, built 1916), Riverview Park (Canadian, 7130 GRT, built 1943), Roger Griswold (American, 7191 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Moody (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Stephen C. Foster (American, 7196 GRT, built 1943), Sun Yat-Sen (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Tetela (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926), Thomas F. Cunningham (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), Tigre (Norwegian, 5498 GRT, built 1926), Walter Raleigh (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943), Webb Miller (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William Grayson (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), William Paca (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), William Tilghman (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942) and Woodrow Wilson (American, 7177 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also part of the convoy.

On assembly the convoy was escorted by the frigates HMS Conn ( Lt. C.D.T. Williams, RN), HMS Chelmer (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Cherry, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Kenilworth Castle (Lt. J.J.Allon, RNR), HMS Portchester Castle (Lt. A.G. Scott, RNR), HMS Pink (Lt. W.K. Tadman, RNR) and HMS Sunflower (A/Lt.Cdr. J. Plomer, DSC, RCNVR).

A support group made up of the escort carriers HMS Striker (Capt. F.M. Walton, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) and the sloops HMS Woodcock (Cdr.(Retd.) J.F. Blackburn, DSO, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Hart (Cdr.(Retd.) M.B. Sherwood, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, RN) and the frigates HMS Spey (Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN, Senior Officer of the A/S vessels of the group), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Rother (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Wear (Lt.Cdr. Gerald MacClelland, DSC, RN) was also with the convoy until 11 February 1944 when left to conduct A/S operations in the central North Atlantic.

Several of the merchant vessels were forced to return to the U.K., these were the Alabaman, Joel R. Poinsett, Katrina Luckenbach and Lombardy. Of these the Alabaman had lost her rudder on the 11th and she then fell out of the convoy and had to be towed back. HMS Pink remained with her for A/S protection.

On 18 February 1944, the merchant vessel J.L. Luckenbach and the current escort parted company with the convoy to proceed to Newfoundland. The transport and HMS Sunflower proceeded to St. Johns while the two frigates and the two Castle-class corvettes proceeded to Argentia. On these ships parted company a new escort took over. This was made up of the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Judges, RCNVR), HMCS Timmins (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.S. Maxwell, RCNVR), HMCS Trail (T/Lt. G.M. Hope, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Winnipeg (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.D.F. Johnston, RCNR). They had departed St. Johns on 17 February 1944.

On 21 February 1944, the merchant vessels Champ Clark, Duala, rescue ship Zamalek, Mac Ship Empire MacAlpine and the current escort parted company with the convoy to proceed to Halifax where they arrived on 22 February 1944. On these ships parted company a new escort took over. This was made up of the corvettes HMCS Kenogami (T/Lt. J.L. Percy, RCNVR), HMCS Shediac (T/Skr.Lt. J.B. Cooper, RCNR) and the minesweeper HMCS Wallaceburg (T/A/Lt.Cdr. F.R. Naftel, RCNVR).

The convoy arrived at New York on 24 February 1944.

3 Mar 1944

Convoy KMF 29A.

This convoy departed the Clyde on 3 March 1944 for Alexandria.

It was made up of the troop transport Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931). Also part of the convoy were the escort carriers HMS Atheling (Capt. R.I. Agnew, OBE, RCN), HMS Begum (A/Capt. J.E. Broome, DSC, RN) and the aircraft transports HMS Athene (T/A/Cdr. C.H. Moulton, RNR) and HMS Engadine (Capt. W.T. Fitzgerald, RD, RNR). These ships were ferrying aircraft.

Escort was provided by the light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN), sloop HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and the frigates Cranstoun (Lt. E.W. Rainey, RN), HMS Deane (Lt. V.A. Hickson, DSO, RN), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Shiel (Lt. H.P. Crail, DSC, RNR), HMS Spey (Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN) and HMS Taff (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR).

Around 0800Z/6, the sloop HMS Erne (Lt.Cdr. W.R. Hickey, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1800Z/6, the frigates HMS Cranstoun, HMS Deane and HMS Redmill parted company with the convoy.

During the night of 9/10 March, HMS Nigeria fuelled at Gibraltar and then rejoined the convoy.

Around 1000A/11, HMS Erne parted company with the convoy to proceed to Algiers.

At 0137B/13, HMS Nigeria parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of it to Port Said.

Around 1710A/13, the light cruiser HMS Phoebe (Capt. C.P. Frend, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0600B/16, HMS Phoebe parted company with the convoy to proceed to Alexandria.

The convoy arrived at Port Said late in the afternoon of the 16th.

28 Mar 1944

Convoy AJ 2.

This convoy departed Aden on 28 March 1944.

It was made up of the transport; Aronda (British, 9031 GRT, built 1941).

The escort carriers HMS Atheling (Capt. R.I. Agnew, OBE, RCN), HMS Begum (A/Capt. J.E. Broome, DSC, RN) and aircraft transports HMS Athene (T/A/Cdr. C.H. Moulton, RNR) and HMS Engadine (Capt. W.T. Fitzgerald, RD, RNR) were also part of this convoy.

On departure from Aden they were escorted by the destroyer HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN), sloop HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. A.W. Beeton, RIN) and the frigates HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Spey (Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN) and HMS Taff (T/Lt.Cdr. A. Harrison, RNR).

At 0500E/2, the destroyer HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) joined coming from Addu Atoll.

The convoy arrived at Colombo on 4 April 1944.

3 Jun 1944
During 3/4 June 1944, HMS Tradewind (Lt.Cdr. S.L.C. Maydon, DSO and Bar, RN), conducted A/S exercises off Trincomalee with the Indian sloop HMIS Cauvery (A/Cdr. F.F.W. Harvey, RIN) and the British frigates HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR) and HMS Nadder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Kitto, RNR). (4)

4 Jun 1944
HMS Spirit (Lt. A.W. Langridge, RN) conducted A/S exercises with off Trinocomalee together with HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR). (5)

12 Jun 1944
During 12 and 13 June 1944, HMS Sea Rover (Lt. J.P. Angell, RN) conducted exercises off Trincomalee. These included night exercises. During these exercises she was escorted by HMS Rosalind (A/Skr.Lt. E.G. Littler, DSC, RD, RNR). Also part of these exercises were a practice attack on HMS Begum (A/Capt. J.E. Broome, DSC, RN) and A/S exercises with two of her escorts, the frigates HMS Nadder (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.E. Kitto, RNR) and HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR). (6)

Sources

  1. ADM 173/18491
  2. ADM 173/19199
  3. ADM 173/18850
  4. ADM 173/19049
  5. ADM 173/18785
  6. ADM 173/18674

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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