uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Port Napier include:

17 Aug 1940
The auxiliary minelayers Menestheus (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN), Port Napier (Capt.(Retd.) J.N. Tait, CBE, DSC, RN), Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN), Southern Prince (A/Capt. E.M.C. Barraclough, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for minelaying mission SN 12.

They were escorted by the AA cruiser HMS Cairo (Capt. P.V. McLaughlin, RN) and the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. P. Todd, DSO, RN), HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSC, RN), HMS Javelin (Cdr. A.F. Pugsley, RN) and HMS Jaguar (Lt.Cdr. J.F.W. Hine, RN).

HMS Firedrake was relieved by HMS Echo (Cdr. S.H.K. Spurgeon, DSO, RAN) on the 18th (she had sailed from Scapa Flow at 1030/18) after which HMS Firedrake proceeded to Scapa Flow.

The auxiliary minelayers returned to Port ZA shortly before 0100/19 escorted by HMS Inglefield and HMS Echo. HMS Javelin and HMS Jaguar proceeded to Scapa Flow where they arrived at 0630/19. (1)

11 Sep 1940
At 0730/11, the auxiliary minelayers Menestheus (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN), Port Napier (Capt.(Retd.) J.N. Tait, CBE, DSC, RN), Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN), Southern Prince (A/Capt. E.M.C. Barraclough, RN) departed Port ZA (Loch Alsh) for minelaying mission SN 41.

They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Jackal (Cdr. C.L. Firth, MVO, RN), HMS Electra (Lt.Cdr. S.A. Buss, MVO, RN), HMS Versatile (Cdr.(Retd.) J.H. Jauncey, RN) and HMS Vimy (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN).

They returned to Port ZA at 1300/12. (1)

7 Nov 1940

Minelaying operation SN 44.

Minelaying operation by the 1st Minelaying Squadron.

Around 2100A/7, the 1st Minelaying Squadron departed Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) for minelaying operation SN 44. The 1st Minelaying Squadron was made up of the cruiser minelayer HMS Adventure (Capt. N.V. Grace, RN) and the auxiliary minelayers Southern Prince (A/Capt. E.M.C. Barraclough, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral W.F. Wake-Walker CB, OBE, RN), Port Napier (Capt.(Retd.) J.N. Tait, CBE, DSC, RN), HMS Port Quebec (Capt.(Retd.) E.C. Watson, RN) and HMS Menestheus (Capt. W.H.D. Friedberger, RN). They were escorted by the destroyers HMS Bath (Cdr.(Retd.) A.V. Hemming, RN), HMS St. Albans (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN) and HMS St. Marys (Lt. K.H.J.L. Phibbs, RN).

Between 1342A/8 and 1826A/8, the minefield, of a total of 2379 mines, was laid, at a depth of 70 feet, on a broad zig-zag within 6 cables of lines joining positions;
A) 55°45.1'N, 09°19.0'W
B) 55°36.8'N, 09°08.5'W
C) 55°44.6'N, 08°54.0'W
D) 55°35.6'N, 08°42.5'W
E) 55°43.2'N, 08°28.2'W
F) 55°33.7'N, 08°16.8'W
G) 55°37.1'N, 08°10.5'W

Weather conditions were poor during the operation, but all ships had clean lays. Only four prematures were heard during or immediately after the lay.

On completion of the lay, HMS Adventure was detached to Lamlash where she arrived shortly before midnight during the night of 8 / 9 November.

The remaining ships returned to Port Z.A. (Loch Alsh) around 0830A/9.

It is thought most likely that the German submarine U-104 is sunk in this minefield on, or shortly after, 28 November 1940. (2)