HMS Bellwort (K114)

HMS Bellwort was a Flower-class corvette built for the Royal Navy during World War II.

HMS Bellwort entering Victoria Wharf, Birkenhead during World War II
History
United Kingdom
Name: HMS Bellwort
Namesake: Bellwort
Ordered: 12 December 1939
Yard number: J1160
Laid down: 17 September 1940
Launched: 11 August 1941
Commissioned: 20 November 1941
Decommissioned: 1947
Identification: Pennant number: K114
Fate: Sold to the Irish Naval Service, 1946
Ireland
Name: LÉ Cliona
Namesake: Cliodhna
Acquired: 3 February 1947
Commissioned: 3 February 1947
Decommissioned: 2 November 1970
Identification: Pennant number: 03
Fate: Scrapped, 1970
General characteristics [1][2]
Class and type: Flower-class corvette
Displacement: 925 long tons
Length: 205 ft (62 m)
Beam: 33 ft (10 m)
Draught: 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m)
Propulsion:
  • single shaft
  • 2 × fire tube Scotch boilers
  • 1 × 4-cycle triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine
  • 2,750 ihp (2,050 kW)
Speed: 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Armament:
  • 1 × BL 4 inch Mk IX naval gun
  • 2 × .50 cal machine gun (twin)
  • 2 × Lewis .303 cal machine gun (twin)
  • 2 × Mk.II depth charge throwers
  • 2 × Depth charge rails with 40 depth charges
  • originally fitted with minesweeping gear, later removed

After wartime service she was sold to the Irish Naval Service and renamed Cliona after an ancient Irish goddess of love.

Construction

Bellwort was ordered in July 1939 as part of the Royal Navy's 1939 War Emergency building programme. She was laid down by George Brown & Co of Greenock on 17 September 1940, launched 11 August 1941 and completed 20 November the same year. After working up and trials she was assigned anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties on the West Africa station, based at Freetown.

Service history

From March 1942 onwards Bellwort served with close escort groups on South Atlantic convoys, stationed at Freetown. In three years Bellwort sailed with 42 trade convoys (outbound and homebound), contributing to the safe and timely arrival of more than 800 merchant ships. She was involved in one major convoy battle, around convoy TS 37 in April 1943, which saw the loss of seven ships in one night. With the end of hostilities Bellwort was decommissioned and in 1946 she was sold.

Post-war service
Main article: LÉ Cliona (03)

Bellwort was one of three Flowers sold to Ireland in 1946. She was handed over to the Irish Naval Service on 3 February 1947 and commissioned Cliona by Lieutenant Walter J. Ready the same day.

She was sold to Haulbowline Industries for scrap on 4 November 1970.

Notes
  1. Elliott p186
  2. Conway p62

References
  • Gardiner R, Chesnau R: Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946 (1980) ISBN 0-85177-146-7
  • Elliott, P : Allied Escort Ships of World War II (1977) ISBN 0 356 08401 9


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