ROYAL NAVY SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND - ROYAL NAVY C D 30 SHIPS *

15)CORINTHIAN (BOARDING VESSEL)

Photo. www.7seasvessels.com

Completed: 1940

Displacement: 4,260 Dwt

Length: 358,9 ft

Beam: 50,1 ft

Draught: 22,2 ft

Speed: 13 kts

Propulsion: 1 VTE + EXH Turb. Coal 996

Armament: 2 152/50 MK XI, 1 76/40

Originally built by Ellerman Line was requisitioned by the Admiralty. Converted to training ship 1944.During her station in south Atlantic HMS Corinthian F 103, rescued the master, 267 crew members, 25 gunners and all 534 passengers of British Duchess of Atholl sunk on 10/Oct/42 by U-178 in pos. 07º03’S 11º12’W  and landed at Freetown on 14 October.

Photo. www.photoship.co.uk

On 14/Mar/43 HMS Corinthian helped by the destroyers Boreas, Petunia and Crocus rescued 1499 survivors from SS Empress of Canada sunk that same day by the Italian submarine Leonardo Da Vinci. The survivors, who had to endure exposure and vicious shark attacks, were taken to Freetown. 393 people died.

SS. Empress of Canada. Photo www.photoship.co.uk 

She also took part in the search for survivors of SS Laconia when were redirected from Freetown. HMS Corinthian also took cover from the B-24 who eventually attacked U-156 the U-boat which sunk the Laconia.  They had been requested by the British to provide air cover.

British Laconia. Photo www.photoship.co.uk

FOLLOWING PAGES ON THE SAME ARTICLE

14)CORFU F 86 (ARMED M CRUISER)

16)COWSLIP (CORVETTE)

17)CROCUS (CORVETTE) K 49

18)CYCLAMEN (CORVETTE)