Wishart HMS
Posted: Sun Aug 29, 2010 7:57 pm
HMS Wishart was authorised during the First World War. She was built and engined by the Thornycroft shipyard, having been laid down in June 1918 and completed in June 1920. The outbreak of the Second World War found the ship at Gibraltar serving with the North Atlantic Command. Early in the war she made an unsuccessful attack on an enemy submarine. In December 1939 she intercepted the German steam ship Glucksburg which scuttled herself. The following November she formed part of the escort in Operation Collar (ferrying supplies to Malta) and was involved in the action that took place off Cape Spartivento against the Italian Fleet.
HMS Wishart also did her share of rescue work. In April 1941, while forming part of the escort to Convoy W57, she spotted and picked up 4O survivors from a life boat of the British S.S. St Helens. Later the same month she attacked and sunk the Italian submarine Glauco. On this occasion she was able to rescue the crew.
Acting as escort to Malta bound convoys continued to be her lot for most of 1941 and 42. In August 1942 she formed part of the escort for a Malta convoy code named Operation Pedestal. The convoy was subjected to continuous attacks by day and by night from dive bombers, torpedo carrying aeroplanes, submarines and E boats. The convoy suffered heavy losses but consoled itself with the knowledge that the enemy was paying a very heavy price for its successes. Operation Pedestal had the distinction of being the last convoy to reach Malta before its relief.
The Mediterranean continued to hold HMS Wishart and in November 1942 she took part in the landings in North Africa. The American troop carrier SS Thomas Stone was hit and was obliged to transfer the troops to another vessel before being taken in tow to Algiers by HMS Wishart. In December the same year she rescued 94 officers and men from a destroyer that had been torpedoed by submarine U443. This valiant ship was placed in Reserve in 1944 and subsequently scrapped.
Gibraltar Philatelic.
Gibraltar SG565
HMS Wishart also did her share of rescue work. In April 1941, while forming part of the escort to Convoy W57, she spotted and picked up 4O survivors from a life boat of the British S.S. St Helens. Later the same month she attacked and sunk the Italian submarine Glauco. On this occasion she was able to rescue the crew.
Acting as escort to Malta bound convoys continued to be her lot for most of 1941 and 42. In August 1942 she formed part of the escort for a Malta convoy code named Operation Pedestal. The convoy was subjected to continuous attacks by day and by night from dive bombers, torpedo carrying aeroplanes, submarines and E boats. The convoy suffered heavy losses but consoled itself with the knowledge that the enemy was paying a very heavy price for its successes. Operation Pedestal had the distinction of being the last convoy to reach Malta before its relief.
The Mediterranean continued to hold HMS Wishart and in November 1942 she took part in the landings in North Africa. The American troop carrier SS Thomas Stone was hit and was obliged to transfer the troops to another vessel before being taken in tow to Algiers by HMS Wishart. In December the same year she rescued 94 officers and men from a destroyer that had been torpedoed by submarine U443. This valiant ship was placed in Reserve in 1944 and subsequently scrapped.
Gibraltar Philatelic.
Gibraltar SG565