Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 Introduction This is a hardback reprint of the original book, published in 2011. I have made some revisions and additions from information received since then. The idea for this book came from the HMS Caprice (1968) Association; originally to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Caprice’s memorable cruise around the world in 1968. However, with input from the Association’s website and from material provided from many who had served aboard during the destroyer’s 30 years service it became obvious that we had become the de facto archives for the ship’s entire history. Despite its D01 pennant number Caprice was not the Royal Navy's first destroyer! She was, however, 'one of the best' to many who served in her. She also was the first of her class to be launched and the last to finally decommission. This, then, is the story of HMS Caprice and of all those who served in her during her service with the fleet from 1943 to 1973. I have tried to include as much human interest material as possible – a warship is much more than just steel and guns – it’s all about the men who live, work and play in her. Those who man the guns, keep watch, scrub the decks, cook the food, operate and maintain the machinery, keep a lookout, monitor the radar and sonar, it is they that make a warship what it is. Although we are nominally claiming copyright for this book anyone may freely use the information and images contained within, providing it is not for commercial profit. The information and images have come from a wide range of sources and we may not be aware of their original origin – if we have inadvertently infringed any copyrighted material we apologise but it should be appreciated that this book is not being compiled for profit and will not be on sale to the general public. Graham Latter - Technical Author Secretary - HMS Caprice 1968 Association The Caprice Crest – “on a Field Green, a kid salient Proper” Battle Honours – Arctic 1944 Caprice – from Capriccio “to frisk or skip like a goat”. © Graham Latter 2014 – Issue2 1 Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 Acknowledgements We are indebted to the many contributors to this book, especially: • Percy Newell AB on board 1944-46 (now deceased) - for his recollections and pictures of the ship’s war-time service. • Penny Tomalin - for her photograph and information of her father PO Eric Mortimor on board 1945 • Robert Stewart - for his wartime photos from his father-in-law Leslie Finch NAAFI (PO) manager aboard 1944-46 • John Fleming - for his recollections of the Reserve Fleet in 1951-2. • Ray Drew AB onboard 1959-60 - for the loan of the 1959-60 Commission Book. • Colin Gent - Electrical Officer on board 1960-62 - for his write up and photos of that commission, his invaluable assistance with Technical information and ships drawings, research on Ship's Logs at The National Archives and for final checking. • John Croft ME on board 1960-61 - for his photos of Caprice in Sydney 1961. • John Higgins AB on board 1962-63 - for the loan of the 1962-63 Commission Book and photos. • Lewis Chelton Lt (Supply Officer) on board 1962-63 - for his recollections of the 1962-63 commission. • Mike Enright POREL on board 1962-63 - for his recollections of his time aboard. • Members of HMS Caprice 1968 Association – Gordon Duffy, Brian Hobbs, Graham Woods, Peter Fowler and many others too numerous to mention. • David Wilkes – Trainee Engineer Officer on board in 1972 - for his scans of the final commissioning book, photos of Caprice as a Training ship in 1972 and providing CA class profile information. • Clive Hopkins, Author & HMS Cavalier Volunteer - For his advice, encouragement and final checking. • Jenny Wilson, Gordon Duffy & Wallace Portal - for original proof reading • Finally to Brian (Harry) Hobbs PO (V) on board 1966-69 for his support and encouragement throughout this project. 2 Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 Contents Introduction 1 Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 2 The War Years ........................................................................................................... 5 Background .............................................................................................................. 5 Acceptance & Work-up ........................................................................................... 7 Action with the Home Fleet..................................................................................... 8 Russian Convoys...................................................................................................... 8 Troop Ship (“Monster”) Escorting......................................................................... 11 The Japanese Surrender on Caprice....................................................................... 15 In Reserve 1946-1958............................................................................................... 20 First Modernisation 1957-58................................................................................... 21 Far East Commission of 1959-60............................................................................ 22 Far East Commission of 1962-63............................................................................ 39 Second Modernisation 1963-66............................................................................... 51 Middle East Commission of 1966-67...................................................................... 52 Commission of 1967-68............................................................................................ 55 The World Cruise - 1968 ....................................................................................... 59 Gibraltar Refit 1969-71 ........................................................................................... 70 Training Ship 1971-73 ............................................................................................. 73 Laid up then Scrapped - 1979................................................................................. 81 HMS Caprice – Facts & Figures............................................................................. 83 General Data .......................................................................................................... 83 Armament............................................................................................................... 84 Radar & Sonar........................................................................................................ 85 Main Machinery, Fuel & Water............................................................................. 88 Condenseritus and other Ailments!........................................................................ 90 Appendices................................................................................................................ 92 Some War-time Memories..................................................................................... 92 HMS Caprice 1968 Association............................................................................. 94 Sister Ship - HMS Cavalier.................................................................................... 95 The Destroyer Memorial at Chatham..................................................................... 97 Omissions and Errors.............................................................................................. 98 3 Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 4 Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 The War Years Background In 1939 Britain had only ninety modern destroyers and many others were obsolete. German U boats were posing a grave threat to the lifeline of supplies and troops from North America and to the Russian convoys helping to maintain the Eastern front against Nazi ambitions. More convoy escorts were urgently required. In 1940 the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom, transferred fifty somewhat ancient destroyers from the United States Navy in exchange for land rights on British possessions. However many more new vessels were needed and the War Emergency Programme eventually delivered to the fleet 112 Destroyers that were constructed in the UK. On an autumn day on 28th September 1942 in Scotstoun, on the banks of the River Clyde, one of these destroyers was laid down at the shipyard of Yarrow & Co Ltd (Admiralty Job number J 11000). Initially designated as HMS Swallow, she was to be one of the 36 War Emergency C Class to be built. The C Class destroyers were grouped into four flotillas each of 8 vessels with the class names derived from the initial two letters of the ships' names (Ca, Ch, Co and Cr). Ca Class Destroyers Pennant No. Ship Launched Left Service Original Revised HMS Caprice R01 D01 Sept 1943 Scrapped 1979 HMS Cassandra R62 D10 Nov 1943 Scrapped 1967 HMS Cambrian R85 D85 Dec 1943 Scrapped 1971 HMS Caesar R07 D07 Feb 1944 Scrapped 1967 HMS Carron R30 D30 Mar 1944 Scrapped 1967 HMS Cavalier R73 D73 April 1944 *Preserved afloat HMS Cavendish R15 D15 April 1944 Scrapped 1967 HMS Carysfort R25 D25 July 1944 Scrapped 1970 * at Chatham Historic Dockyard 5 Destroyer D01 – the story of HMS Caprice 1942 - 1979 Almost a year later on 16 September 1943 the vessel was launched by Viscountess Dawson of Penn and renamed HMS Caprice with a pennant number of R01. Following completion on 5th April 1944 she was the first