Aconite 1941

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shipstamps
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Aconite 1941

Post by shipstamps » Fri Jun 27, 2008 4:41 pm

The Aconit, ex H.M.S. Aconite, was built by the Ailsa Shipbuilding Co at Troon and launched on March 31st, 1941.This corvette was loaned to the Free French Navy and, whilst on convoy duty in the North Atlantic on March11, 1943, sank the U-444, which had previously been rammed by the Destroyer HMS HARVESTER the U-Boat being jammed under the destroyers stern. After about 10 minutes she slid clear and tried to escape on the surface at slow speed. Holding the U-boat in his searchlight the Captain of the Aconit, Lt Levasseur, rammed her and finished her off with depth charges. The next day he sank a second U-Boat and was awarded the DSO for his achievements. After the war the Aconit was returned to the Royal Navy. In July 1947 she was purchased by United Whalers Ltd and renamed TEJE II. In 1960 she was purchased by South Georgia Co., and renamed SOUTHERN TERRIER.
St Pierre SG 495.
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aukepalmhof
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Re: Aconit

Post by aukepalmhof » Fri Jun 26, 2009 9:35 pm

Built as a corvette by Alisa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Troon for the Royal Navy.
25 March 1940 keel laid down, 31 March 1941 launched as HMS ACONITE (K58).
Displacement 925 tons, dim. 193 x 32 x 16ft.
One triple expansion 3 cyl. steam engine, 2.750 ihp., speed 17 knots.
Armament 1 – 102 mmA.A.gun, 1 – 2pdr. A A., 1 Hedgehog, 2 depth charge throwers and 2 dept charge chutes (30 charges).
Crew around 85
23 July 1941 commissioned and loaned to the Free French Navy, renamed ACONIT (J1095)

She was one of the Flower class, and designed after a whaler built by Smiths Docks under the name SOUTHERN PRIDE. The hull of the Flower class was lengthened some 30 ft to provide extra space. Of the Flower class 224 ships were built during the war.
It was a coastal escort vessel but used also in the North Atlantic as escort vessel during convoys.
During the night of 11 March 1943 under command of Lieut. De Vaisseau J.M. Levasseur the ACONIT finished the job of destroying the German U-444. She was on escort duty with convoy HX 228, in the Western Approaches when the HMS HARVESTER under command of Commander A.A. Tait rammed the U-boat at 27 knots. The force of the impact caused the U-boat to become jammed under the destroyer’s stern. After ten minutes she slid clear and tried to escape on the surface with slow speed. The ACONIT got her in her beam of her search-lights, she rammed nd finished her off with depth charges and gun fire. The U-444 sank in position 51 14N 29 18W, 26 crew dead 20 rescued.
The HARVESTER also heavily damaged during the ramming was refusing any help from the ACONIT, and the next day when drifting she was seen by the U 432 on periscope depth, she sunk the HARVESTER with two torpedoes. Most of the crew and Tait went down with the ship, but the ACONIT when returning to the scene took revenge and destroyed the U-444 on 11 March 1943. The U 432 sank in position 51 35N 28 20W, 41 crew lost and 4 rescued.
Lieutenant Levasseur was awarded the D.S.O. for his achievements. After the war he was killed during a gun accident on board a French cadet training ship.


April1947 returned to the Royal Navy and decommissioned.
Nov 1947 sold to United Whalers Ltd., London, renamed TERJE XI. Used as whale catcher.
Tonnage given as 726 gross, 249 net, dim. 198 x 33 x 16ft.
August 1953 transferred to Hector Whaling Ltd., London.
August 1960 purchased and renamed SOUTHERN TERRIER.
09 Jan. 1967 arrived by Heyghen Fréres, Brugge, Belgium for breaking up.

St Pierre et Miquelon 1996 2f80 sg741, scott623

Sources; Max Horton and the Western Approaches by Rear-Admiral W.S. Chalmers. British Escort Ships WW 2 by H.T.Lenton. From 70 North to 70 South by Graeme Somner.
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4703.html
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