ROYAL NAVY SOUTH ATLANTIC COMMAND - ROYAL NAVY N P Q R 16 SHIPS

Completed: 1941

Displacement : 940  / 1180 tons

Length: 62.48 m

Width: 10.06 m

Draught: 4.04 m

Crew: 80

Propulsion: 2 × SE boiler , Power: 2750HP

Speed: 16 knots

Range: 5000nm at 10 Kts

Armament:  1 x 101.6 mm , 1 x 40 mm , 4-6 x 20mm or 12.7 mm  2 x charge thrower , 1 x (Hedgehog)

During her station in the south Atlantic on 9 Oct 42, HMS Rockrose rescued 42 survivors from US Merchant Chickasaw City, sunk 07 Oct by U-172 in pos. 34º 15’S 17º 11”E and landed them at Capetown. Chickasaw City was loaded with 1700 tons of chrome ore, coffe and hides.  41 survivors later boarded the Dutch Zaandam which was sunk on 9 Nov by U-174. twelve crewmen and six armed guard died.

On 11 Jul 42 HMS Rockrose rescued 49 survivors from US Firethorn sunk by U-172 in pos. 34º 10”S 17º 07”E. They were landed at Capetown. MS Firethorn were loaded with war materials and  tanks as deck cargo.