| Navy | The Royal Navy |
| Type | Ocean boarding vessel |
| Class | [No specific class] |
| Pennant | |
| Built by | A. Stephen & Sons Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland) |
| Ordered | |
| Laid down | |
| Launched | 20 Mar 1924 |
| Commissioned | 15 Oct 1940 |
| End service | Jul 1942 |
| History | Passenger/cargo (ref.) vessel completed in May 1924. Requisitioned by the Admiralty on 6 August 1940. Displacement: 6908 GRT. Dimensions: 129.6 x 16.5. Armament: 2 6" guns (2x1), 1 12pdr AA gun, 2 2pdr AA (2x1) Speed: 14.5 knots. Returned to her owner in July 1942. Then served with Ministry of War Transport until 1946. |
Commands listed for HMS Cavina
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 | Capt. Newell Herbert Gale, RD, RNR | 13 Aug 1940 | 25 Jan 1941 |
| 2 | Cdr. Charles Beresford Osborne, RD, RNR | 25 Jan 1941 | mid 1942 |
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Notable events involving Cavina include:
30 Jan 1941
Convoy SLS 64.
This convoy departed Freetown on 30 January 1941 for the U.K.
The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Anna Mazaraki (Greek, 5411 GRT, built 1913), Blairatholl (British, 3319 GRT, built 1925), Borgestad (Norwegian, 3924 GRT, built 1924), Bur (Norwegian, 4343 GRT, built 1917), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Derrynane (British, 4896 GRT, built 1938), Empire Energy (British, 6589 GRT, built 1923), Kalliopi (British, 4965 GRT, built 1910), Lornaston (British, 4934 GRT, built 1925), Margot (British, 4545 GRT, built 1926), Nailsea Lass (British, 4289 GRT, built 1917), Oswestry Grange (British, 4684 GRT, built 1935), Perseus (Greek, 5172 GRT, built 1919), Polyktor (Greek, 4077 GRT, built 1914), Shrewsbury (British, 4542 GRT, built 1924), Varangberg (Norwegian, 2842 GRT, built 1915), Volturno (British, 3420 GRT, built 1914), Warlaby (British, 4875 GRT, built 1927) and Westbury (British, 4712 GRT, built 1928).
The convoy was not escorted.
On 12 February 1941, the convoy was intercepted east of the Azores in approximate position 37°10'N, 21°20'W by the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, which managed to sink the following merchant vessels; Borgestad, Derrynane, Oswestry Grange, Shrewsbury, Warlaby, Westbury, and Perseus. The Lornaston sustained heavy damage and Kalliopi sustained light damage. The Lornaston went to Ponta Delgada where she arrived on the 18th. The Kalliopi arrived at Gibraltar on the 18th.
The convoy scattered on being attacked.
The Ocean Boarding Vessels HMS Camito (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Barnet, RNR), HMS Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR), HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) and HMS Maron (Cdr. (Retd.) J.H. Blair, DSC, RD, RNR) were ordered to the area to search for survivors.
Also the light cruiser HMS Sheffield (Capt. C.A.A. Larcom, RN) was ordered to the area to provide cover for the remaining ships.
On 24 February, the Nailsea Lass was torpedoed and sunk south-south-west of Ireland by the German submarine U-48.
24 Mar 1941
Convoy HG 57.
This convoy departed Gibraltar on 25 March 1941.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aghios Spyridon (Greek, 3338 GRT, built 1905), Aldergrove (British, 1974 GRT, built 1918), Anneberg (Finnish, 2537 GRT, built 1902), Ardeola (British, 2609 GRT, built 1912), Baltallinn (British, 1303 GRT, built 1920), Baron Newlands (British, 3386 GRT, built 1928), Bollsta (Norwegian, 1832 GRT, built 1934), Caledonia (British, 1268 GRT, built 1913), Cantal (British, 3178 GRT, built 1916), Cervantes (British, 1810 GRT, built 1916), Chantilly (British, 9986 GRT, built 1923), Egyptian (British, 2868 GRT, built 1920), Empire Strait (British, 2841 GRT, built 1940), Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932), Marvia (British, 1989 GRT, built 1914), Mimosa (Greek, 3071 GRT, built 1905), Moscha D. Kydoniefs (British, 3874 GRT, built 1915), Newton Pine (British, 4212 GRT, built 1925), Octane (British (tanker) (former French), 2034 GRT, built 1939), Polo (British, 1950 GRT, built 1919), Runa (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930), Scania (Swedish, 1980 GRT, built 1901), Scottish Monarch (British, 4719 GRT, built 1938) and Trio (Swedish, 1482 GRT, built 1922).
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Wrestler (Lt. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Rochester (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Allen, RN), corvettes HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR), HMS Jonquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR), HMS La Malouine (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) R.W. Keymer, RN), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) and the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN).
The Aghios Spyridon returned to Gibraltar the same day the convoy had sailed.
On 27 March, HMS Wrestler, HMS Gentian and HMS Jonquil were detached.
At 1115Z/3, HrMs O 23 was detached to join convoy OG 57.
At 1430Z/3, in position 45°27'N, 22°00'W, the light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. J.G.L. Dundas, RN joined.
At 0920Z/4, HMS La Malouine was detached to proceed ahead to the U.K. with a dangerous medical case.
At 0845Z/5, the armed boarding vessel Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.
At 1930Z/5, the armed boaring vessel Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.
P.M. on 8 April the destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Douglas (Cdr. W.E. Banks, DSC, RN), HMS Roxborough (Lt. V.A. Wight-Boycott, OBE, RN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) and auxiliary A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR), HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR) and HMS Vizalma (T/Lt. M.M. Firth, RNVR). With these escorted the rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) also joined. The local A/S escort was to have joined on 6 April but bad weather conditions delayed their joining for about 48 hours.
Around 1900A/9, in position 55°41'N, 10°08'W, HMS Nigeria parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow.
On 10 April the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban; Baron Newlands, Cervantes, Empire Strait, Gothland and Scottish Monarch.
On 10 April the following merchant vessels arrived in Belfast Lough; Caledonia, Cantal, Chantilly, Marvia, Mimosa, Moscha D. Kydoniefs, Octane and Scania.
On 11 April the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Aldergrove, Anneberg, Newton Pine and the rescue ship Zamalek.
On 11 April the Bollsta arrived at Workington.
On 11 April the Egyptian arrived at Preston.
On 11 April the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Ardeola, Baltallinn, Polo, Runa and Trio.
The escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows; On 9 April 1941, HMS Broke arrived at Londonderry.
On 10 April 1941, HMS Douglas, HMS Roxborough, HMS Abelia, HMS St. Elstan, HMS St. Kenan, HMS St. Zeno and HMS Vizalma arrived at Londonderry.
On 11 April 1941, HMS Salisbury arrived at Londonderry.
On 11 April 1941, HMS Rochester and HMS Verbena arrived at Liverpool. (1)
6 May 1941
Convoy HG 61.
This convoy departed Gibraltar on 6 May 1941.
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aguila (British, 3255 GRT, built 1917), Alva (British, 1584 GRT, built 1934), Auk (British, 1338 GRT, built 1921), Baron Cochrane (British, 3385 GRT, built 1927), Baron Stranraer (British, 3668 GRT, built 1929), Baron Yarborough (British, 3388 GRT, 1928), Bifrost (Swedish, 1781 GRT, built 1923), Bruse Jarl (Norwegian, 1890 GRT, built 1923), Cape Corso (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929), Caverock (British, 1332 GRT, built 1915), City of Lancaster (British, 3041 GRT, built 1924), Empire Ridge (British, 2922 GRT, built 1941), Empire Tern (British, 2479 GRT, built 1919), Fort Richepanse (British (former French), 3485 GRT, built 1935), Lanahrone (Irish, 1221 GRT, built 1928), Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918), Meta (British, 1578 GRT, built 1931), Milos (Swedish, 3058 GRT, built 1898), Pinzon (British, 1365 GRT, built 1922), Sarastone (British, 2473 GRT, built 1929), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929) and Torfinn Jarl (Norwegian, 1480 GRT, built 1922).
On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Sandwich (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) R.C. Gervers, RN), corvettes HMS Azalea (Lt. G.C. Geddes, RNR), HMS Geranium (T/Lt. A. Foxall, RNR), HMS Joinquil (Lt.Cdr. R.E.H. Partington, RNR) and submarine HrMs O 21 (Lt.Cdr. J.F. van Dulm, RNN).
Around 0700A/7, in position 34°51'N, 08°24'W, and the special service vessel HMS Fidelity (Cdr. C.A.M. Péri) joined the convoy.
Around 2130Z/12, in position 41°54'N, 21°54'W, HMS Azalea, HMS Geranium and HMS Jonquil parted company with the convoy to join convoy OG 61.
Around 0600Z/13, in position 42°51'N, 22°00'W, HrMs O 21 parted company to join convoy OG 61.
Around 0740Z/13, the armed boarding vessel Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) joined the convoy. With her was the Italian tanker
Gianna M. (5703 GRT, built 1913) which HMS Hilary had captured the Gianna M. north of the Azores on 10 May 1941.
Around 1130Z/14, the armed boarding vessels Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR) and HMS Corinthian (A/Cdr. E.J.R. Pollitt, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1700Z/14, in position 47°04'N, 21°42'W, HMS Hilary parted company with the convoy.
Around 1930Z/15, in position 49°53'N, 21°31'W, the destroyer HMS Legion (Cdr. R.F. Jessel, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1545Z/16, in position 52°23'N, 21°14'W, the destroyers HMS Vanquisher (Cdr. N.V. Dickinson, DSC, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Londonderry (Cdr. J.S. Dalison, RN), corvettes HMS Campanula (Lt.Cdr. R.V.E. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Freesia (Lt.Cdr. T.P.G. Crick, RN), HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR), HMS Pimpernel (Lt. F.H. Thornton, RNR) and HMS Rhododendron (Lt.Cdr. W.N.M. Faichney, DSO, RNR) joined the convoy. The rescue ship Zaafaran (British, 1559 GRT, built 1921) joined the convoy later that day.
Around 2140Z/17, the destroyer HMS Reading (Lt.Cdr. D.V. Clift, RN) joined the convoy.
At 1030Z/18, an enemy aircraft was seen and three minutes later bombs were dropped close to the Fort Richepanse and the Gianna M.. Both sustained some minor damage. Two more air attacks were carried out on this day but the bombs dropped all exploded well away from the convoy.
At 0324B/19, in position 54°57'N, 11°10'W [British source] 54°47'N, 11°10'W [German source], the Empire Ridge was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-96. HMS Vanquisher picked up the only two survivors which were subsequently transferred to HMS Legion.
Around 2300B/19, the ' Oban ' portion of the convoy was detached. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Baron Cochrane, Baron Yarborough, Bifrost, Cape Corso, Marklyn and Meta.
Around 0530B/20, in position 55°31'N, 06°33'W, HMS Vanquisher and HMS Winchelsea parted company to proceed to Londonderry to fuel after which they were to proceed to Liverpool.
Around 0635B/20, in position 55°27'N, 06°45'W, the Zaafaran parted company to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Clyde.
Around 0700B/20, in position 55°25'N, 06°27'W, HMS Cavina and HMS Corinthian parted company to proceed ahead of the convoy to the Clyde.
Around 1005B/20, the ' Clyde ' portion of the convoy was detached. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aguilla, Auk, Baron Stranraer, Caverock, City of Lancaster and Sarastone.
The remainder of the convoy proceeded onwards.
The following ships arrived at Belfast Lough on 20 May 1941; Empire Tern, Fort Richepanse, Gianna M., Lanahrone, Pinzon and South Wales.
The Alva arrived at Workington on 21 May 1941.
The following ships arrived at Barrow-in-Furness on 21 May 1941; Bruse Jarl and Milos.
The Torfinn Jarl arrived arrived at Liverpool on 21 May 1941.
Of the escort HMS Londonderry arrived at Londonderry on 20 May 1941 and HMS Legion arrived in the Clyde also 20 May 1941.
All remaining escorts arrived at Liverpool on 21 May 1941. (1)
8 Jun 1941
Convoy SL 77.
This convoy departed Freetown for the U.K. on 8 June 1941.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aliakmon (Greek, 4521 GRT, built 1913), Banfora (British, 9472 GRT, built 1914), Blackheath (British, 4637 GRT, built 1936), Boskoop (Dutch, 5620 GRT, built 1927), Chulmleigh (British, 5445 GRT, built 1938), Ile de Batz (British, 5755 GRT, built 1918), John Holt (British, 4975 GRT, built 1938), Kindat (British, 4358 GRT, built 1938), Macuba (Dutch (tanker), 8249 GRT, built 1931), Mahsud (British, 7540 GRT, built 1917), Peebles (British, 4982 GRT, built 1936), Spar (Dutch, 3616 GRT, built 1924) and Storaas (Norwegian (tanker), 7886 GRT, built 1929).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by armed merchant cruiser HMS Arawa (A/Capt. G.R. Deverell, RN) and the corvettes HMS Gardenia (Lt.Cdr. H. Hill, RD, RNR), HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR) and the auxiliary A/S yacht HMS Surprise (Capt.(Retd.) E. Stubbs, RN).
The merchant vessels Aliakmon and Blackheath however soon returned to Freetown due to engine defects.
At 1015N/10, the convoy was joined by the corvette HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR). She parted company around 0800N/11.
HMS Gardenia and HMS Marguerite and HMS Surprise parted company in the afternoon of 13 June.
Around 1130N/15, the heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk (Capt. A.J.L. Phillips, RN) joined the convoy as did the merchant vessels Anglo-Indian (British, 5609 GRT, built 1938), Cordillera (British, 6865 GRT, built 1920), Gascony (British, 4716 GRT, built 1925), and Stornest (British, 4265 GRT, built 1921) which had been brought out from St. Vincent by the corvette HMS Cyclamen.
At 1810N/15, HMS Surprise parted company with the convoy.
Around noon on 21 June, the merchant vessel Peebles was detached to the Azores due to engine defects.
Around 1100Z/27, HMS Norfolk was detached to proceed to Scapa Flow.
Around 0700A/28, the armed boarding vessel HMS Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0100B/28, the armed boarding vessel Cavina (Cdr. C.B. Osborne, RD, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 0800B/28, the corvette HMS Wallflower (Lt.Cdr. I.J. Tyson, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1140B/28, the destroyer HMS Vanoc (Lt.Cdr. J.G.W. Deneys, DSO, RN) joined the convoy.
Around 1210B/28, the destroyers HMS Walker (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN), HNoMS Bath (Lt.Cdr. C.F.T. Melsom) and the corvette HMS Hydrangea (Lt. J.E. Woolfenden, RNR) joined the convoy.
Around 1300B/28, the rescue ship Toward (British, 1571 GRT, built 1923) joined the convoy.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 2 July 1941.
Sources
- ADM 199/932
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.