HMS Geranium (K16) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.[1] She was later sold to Denmark and renamed Thetis.
Construction and career
editRoyal Navy
editThe ship was ordered 25 Jul 1939 and laid down 21 Sep 1939 at William Simmons & Co. in Renfrew, Scotland.[1][2] The ship was lanched 23 Apr 1940 and commissioned 24 Jun 1940.[1]
In August 1942, the ship participated in Operation Pedestal, a British convoy to supply Malta.[3][4] In the operation, she was assigned to Force R along with 3 other corvettes and a tug to protect the fleet oil tankers: RFA Brown Ranger and RFA Dingledale.[3] She was under the command of A.Foxall, RNR.[3][5]
In 1943, the ship was operating in the Atlantic engaged in anti-submarine warfare.[6] On 31 October, together with HMS Whitehall she sunk the U-Boat U-306 with depth charges and hedgehog attacks.[6]
Danish Navy
editThe ship was sold to the Royal Danish Navy in 1945.[7][8] They renamed her Thetis (F340) and she entered service.[7] The ship was scrapped in 1963.[7][8]
Honours
editThe ship featured on a 2012 Maltese postal stamp.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c "HMS Geranium (K 16) of the Royal Navy". uboat.net. 1939-07-25. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ Preston, Antony; Raven, Alan; Roberts, John (1982). Flower Class Corvettes. ISBN 978-0-85368-559-3.
- ^ a b c Henshaw, John (2024-02-16). Malta's Savior. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 978-1-4766-4853-8.
- ^ Thomas, David A. (1998-12-17). Battles and Honours of the Royal Navy. Pen and Sword. ISBN 978-1-4738-1226-0.
- ^ Rodgaard, John A (2024-06-30). A Hard Fought Ship. Seaforth Publishing. p. 252. ISBN 978-1-0361-1237-0.
- ^ a b Syrett, David (1994). The Defeat of the German U-boats. Columbia, S.C: Univ of South Carolina Press. p. 233. ISBN 978-0-87249-984-3.
- ^ a b c "HDMS Thetis F 340 UK Flower class Frigate Corvette Royal Danish Navy Kongelige Danske Marine". Seaforces Online. 2014-07-07. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "HMS Geranium 2012". Stampmeister. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
