HNoMS Bergen (1946)

(Redirected from HMS Cromwell (R35))

HNoMS Bergen was a C-class destroyer built for the Royal Navy as HMS Cromwell. She was built by Scotts of Greenock between 1944 and 1946 and initially was to have been called Cretan. She was sold to the Royal Norwegian Navy in 1946 and renamed Bergen. She was scrapped in 1967.

HMS Cromwell 1946 IWM FL 10042
HMS Cromwell, 1946
History
United Kingdom
NameCromwell (initially Cretan)
BuilderScotts, Greenock
Laid down24 November 1943
Launched6 August 1945
Commissioned16 September 1946
Out of service1946
IdentificationPennant number: R35
FateSold to the Royal Norwegian Navy
History
Norway
NameBergen
Commissioned1946
IdentificationPennant number: D304
FateScrapped 1967
General characteristics
Class and typeC-class destroyer
Displacement1,710 tons (standard) 2,520 tons (full)
Length363 ft (111 m) o/a
Beam35.75 ft (10.90 m)
Draught
  • 10 ft (3.0 m) light
  • 14.5 ft (4.4 m) full
Propulsion
  • 2 Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
  • Parsons geared steam turbines,
  • 40,000 shp (30,000 kW), 2 shafts
Speed37 knots (69 km/h)
Range615 tons oil, 1,400 nautical miles (2,600 km) at 32 knots (59 km/h)
Complement186
Armament

Operational service

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Commissioned too late for service in the Second World War, following sale her pennant number was changed to D304. She was one of four Cr-class destroyers sold to Norway.[1] Unlike many other destroyers of this class, none of the Norwegian ships received any significant upgrades during their operational service.[2]

On the night of 1 November 1965, five crewmen were lost overboard in a gale while Bergen was off Malin Head, County Donegal. An extensive search by Bergen and another Norwegian ship, as well as the Portrush lifeboat and the British survey ship Dalrymple, found one empty life-raft but no sign of the crew.[3]

Bergen continued to serve in the Royal Norwegian Navy until scrapped in 1967.

References

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  1. ^ Marriott, Leo (1989). Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945. Ian Allan Ltd. p. 67.
  2. ^ Blackman, Raymond V B (ed.). Jane's Fighting Ships 1963-4. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co. Ltd. p. 194.
  3. ^ "Nostalgia 1965: Tribute to lifeboat crew after seamen are lost in gale". The News Letter. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2015.

Publications

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