Type
II HUNT Class Escort
Destroyer ordered from J S White, Cowes IoW
under 1939 War Emergency Programme
on 4th September 1939. She was laid down on
5th December 1939 as Job No J6583
and was launched on 4th December 1940 as HMS
SILVERTON and was the first RN
warship to carry the name, that of a fox-hunt
in Devonshire. The ship was
transferred to Poland with sister ship
HMS OAKLEY (i)
renamed ORP KUJAWIAK This ship
commissioned for Polish naval service as ORP
KRAKOWIAK on 3rd April 1941 in
place of the Free French destroyer OURAGAN
manned by Poles. Build was completed
on 28th May 1941.
H
e r a l d i
c D a t a
(As
HMS SILVERTON)
Badge:
On a Field White,
on
a pomme a
hunting horn erect gold
thereon
two spurs linked rowels uppermost White.
D
e t a i l s o f
W a r S e r v i c e a
s O R P
K R A K O W I A K
(for more ship
information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and
type name in Site Search)
1
9 4 1
April
Transferred
to
Poland and renamed. Allocated for service with
15th Destroyer Flotilla.
May
Contractor's
trials.
28th
- Build
completion and commenced Acceptance Trial
June
Passage
to Scapa Flow on completion of trials and
storing.
Worked-up
for operational service with ships of Home Fleet
at Scapa Flow
July
Joined
15th
Destroyer Flotilla at Plymouth and deployed for
convoy defence and patrol
duties in SW Approaches and Irish Sea.
August
to September
Flotilla
duties in continuation.
October
26th
- Escorted
HM Cruiser TRINIDAD for passage to Clyde for
acceptance trials after completion
of build in HM Dockyard Devonport.
November
Convoy
defence
based at Plymouth in continuation.
December
Transferred
to
Home Fleet for temporary duty.
22nd
- Deployed
as part of escort for Landing Ships taking
Commando troops for raids on Lofoten Islands
(Operation
ANKLET and ARCHERY- See THE WATERY MAZE by B
Fergusson).
1
9 4 2
January
to May
Resumed
convoy
defence and patrol duties based at Devonport.
Reinforced
escorts in Western Approaches Command for UK -
Gibraltar convoys. (For
details of Atlantic convoy defence see U-BOAT
WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO) and THE
BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre).
June
17th
- Deployed
with HM Destroyers WILD SWAN, BEAGLE and HM
Frigate SPEY to support Convoy
HG 84 in SW Approaches. Came under heavy air
attacks during
which HMS WILD SWAN was sunk. (See HMS WILD SWAN
by P Smith).
July
to September
Deployed
on
convoy defence and offensive patrols in SW
Approaches and in French coastal waters
against shipping (Operation TUNNEL Series - See
HOLD THE NARROW SEA by
P Smith and ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by
Corelli
Barnett.)
October
13th
- Joined
HM Destroyers BROCKLESBY, FERNIE and TYNEDALE
and formed Force B for interception
of German supply ship and commerce raider KOMET
known to be making an attempt to
pass into the Atlantic from Germany. Following
the
interception of KOMET by other destroyers of
Force A, engaged E-Boats
which had been used as her escort (For
details
see BATTLE OF THE NARROW SEAS by Peter Scott).
November
to December
Convoy
defence
and interception duties in English Channel in
continuation. Included
engagement with Light Coastal Forces MTB's
against coastal convoy near Douvres.
1
9 4 3
January
to February
Channel
convoy
defence and patrol duties in continuation.
March
5th -
In action
against E-Boats in defence of convoy off Start
Point and drove them off.
April
to May
Flotilla
duties
in continuation. Nominated for service in
Mediterranean with 60th
Destroyer Division based at Gibraltar.
June
Passage
to join
Gibraltar Escort Force for defence of convoys in
the Atlantic and western Mediterranean. On
arrival at Gibraltar joined 60th Division of
Allied Naval Command for local
escort of convoys in Atlantic and western
Mediterranean.
July
Nominated
for
service Support Force East during planned allied
landings in Sicily of
British 1st Airborne Division SW as part of
Escort Group S. (Operation
HUSKY – For details see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE
CLOSELY, Naval. Staff History
and BRITISH INVASION FLEETS by J de Winser for
information about all ships taking
part.)
Passage
to Algiers.
5th
- Sailed from Algiers as part of escort for
military convoy KMS18.
8th
- Detached from KMS18 to refuel and rejoined
escort on completion.
10th
- Detached from KMS18 on arrival at BARK WEST
Beach Head and provided naval
gunfire support during initial landing in
Sicily.
Carried
out patrols to intercept enemy craft attempting
to interfere with landings and
for Follow-up convoy escort.
August
HUSKY
support in continuation.
September
Joined
48th
Escort Group based in Malta for support of
planned allied landings in Bay of Salerno
(Operation
AVALANCHE - See above references).
9th
to 16th - Deployed
as part of screen for Support Carrier Task Force
(TF88) during provision of
cover to by air operations by carrier aircraft.
(Note:
TG88 consisting of HM Escort Carriers BATTLER,
ATTACKER, HUNTER and STALKER
screened by destroyers from HUNT Flotilla in
Malta.)
October
Transferred
to
Alexandria for support of military operations in
defence of the Aegean Islands. Deployed
on offensive patrols to intercept German craft
carrying troops to replace
Italian garrisons. Under heavy air
attacks and without consistent air cover. For
details see
WAR IN THE AEGEAN by P Smith and E Walker).
27th
- Escorted HM Cruiser AURORA for passage to
Aegean.
November
Support
of military operations in Aegean islands in
continuation.
10th
- Carried out search and inspection of west
coast of Kalymnos with HM
Destroyers PETARD and ROCKWOOD.
On completion
bombarded the harbour at Kalymnos.
During
return passage under air attack by glider
bombs.
11th
- After
HMS ROCKWOOD was hit by weapon
which failed to explode
provided cover for tow to Turkish waters by HMS
PETARD.
15th
- Embarked
ammunition and stores at Famagusta, Cyprus for
transit to Leros but recalled on passage
when island surrendered.
29th
- Escorted HM Cruiser BIRMINGHAM during
passage to Alexandria after being hit
by torpedo off Cyrenaica.
December
Deployed
for
convoy escort and patrol based in Malta.
1
9 4 4
January
to March
Central
Mediterranean
convoy defence and patrol in continuation based
in Malta. Nominated
for return to UK for support of planned allied
landings in Normandy. (Operation
NEPTUNE)
April
Passage
to UK.
May
Nominated
for
duty in Force G of Eastern Task Force. Took part
in preparatory exercises for NEPTUNE. (For
details see LANDINGS IN NORMANDY June
1944 (HMSO), OPERATION NEPTUNE by K
Edwards and D DAY SHIPS by J de Winser for
information about all ships taking
part.)
June
Deployed
with
HM Destroyer CATTISTOCK in Solent for escort of
Convoy G1 to the assault
area.
4th -
Departure
delayed 24 hours.
5th -
Escorted
G1 convoy with HMS CATTISTOCK, four Motor
Launches and MTB's of the 55th Flotilla. (Note:
Convoy G1 comprised 6th Minesweeping Flotilla,
four Danlayers and other minesweepers.)
6th
- After arrival in Assault area deployed for
gunfire support for landings on
GOLD Beach.
7th -
Deployed
for patrol off beaches to prevent submarines or
surface craft attack.
10th
- During
patrol with HM Destroyers URSA and GLAISDALE off
Le Havre intercepted and drove off
attacks by German torpedo boats T28, JAGUAR and
MOWE.
11th
- Continued
patrol and convoy defence role in support of
invasion operations,
to 26th
27th
- Retained in Channel area for convoy defence.
patrol and support of
military operations.
July
Channel
deployment
in continuation.
August
to December
Transferred
to
16th Destroyer Flotilla based in Harwich for
North Sea convoy defence and interception
patrol (Note: Extensive minelaying by surface
craft,
submersibles and U-Boats were in progress.
Schnorkel-fitted
submarines and E-Boats were also active to
attack mercantile traffic and
escorts. See HOLD THE NARROW SEA by P Smith.)
1
9 4 5
January
to February
Convoy
defence
and patrol. (Note: Enemy mining and increased
threat of German
torpedo craft especially in Thames area
were continuing. Atlantic
convoys to East Coast ports had been diverted
through Channel since
air attacks were no longer possible from French
bases. (See HOLD THE
NARROW SEA).)
March
22nd
- Drove off German minelaying E-Boats during
lay of mines on convoy route
between Thames and Dutch coast.
April
Deployed
defence
role in North Sea and Channel.
May
to June
Remained
with
Home Fleet after VE Day and Polish manning
continued. (Note: Ship was
not intended for deployment in Far East.)
Deployed
in
support of military re-occupation of German
territory.
July
23rd
- Loan to Poland terminated and ship Paid-off
at Harwich.
Reduced
to Reserve status
August
Laid-up in Reserve at Harwich.
25th
- Reverted
to Royal Navy as HMS SILVERTON.
P
o s t W a r
N o t e s
HMS
SILVERTON remained in
Reserve, initially at Harwich and was later
transferred to Sheerness. During
1953 she was prepared for
attendance at the Coronation Review after
which she was kept in the Chatham
Division, Reserve Fleet until 1958.,
Placed on the Disposal List the ship was sold
to BISCO for demolition by T W
Ward at Grays, Essex on 3rd March that year,
She arrived at the breaker's
yard a year later and her scrap value realised
£17,400.
Addendum
CONVOY
ESCORT MOVEMENTS
of ORP KRAKOWIAK
by
Don Kindell
These
convoy lists have not been cross-checked with
the text above
|
|
|
|
|
Date
convoy sailed
|
Joined
convoy as escort
|
Convoy
No.
|
Left
convoy
|
Date
convoy arrived
|
|
|
|
|
|
05/10/41
|
23/10/41
|
SL
089
|
24/10/41
|
26/10/41
|
02/04/42
|
02/04/42
|
PW
135
|
04/04/42
|
04/04/42
|
12/04/42
|
12/04/42
|
WP
140
|
14/04/42
|
14/04/42
|
13/04/42
|
14/04/42
|
PW
140
|
15/04/42
|
15/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
16/04/42
|
WP
142
|
18/04/42
|
18/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
19/04/42
|
PW
143
|
21/04/42
|
21/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
27/04/42
|
PW
147
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
29/04/42
|
PW
148
|
01/05/42
|
01/05/42
|
03/05/42
|
03/05/42
|
PW
150
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
05/05/42
|
PW
151
|
07/05/42
|
07/05/42
|
06/05/42
|
06/05/42
|
WP
152
|
08/05/42
|
08/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
09/05/42
|
PW
153
|
11/05/42
|
11/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
13/05/42
|
PW
155
|
15/05/42
|
15/05/42
|
03/06/42
|
03/06/42
|
WP
166
|
05/06/42
|
05/06/42
|
10/06/42
|
10/06/42
|
PW
169
|
12/06/42
|
12/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
13/06/42
|
WP
171
|
15/06/42
|
15/06/42
|
09/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
HG
084
|
19/06/42
|
20/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
16/06/42
|
PW
172
|
18/06/42
|
18/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
23/06/42
|
WP
176
|
25/06/42
|
25/06/42
|
30/06/42
|
01/07/42
|
PW
179
|
02/07/42
|
02/07/42
|
03/07/42
|
03/07/42
|
WP
181
|
05/07/42
|
05/07/42
|
06/07/42
|
06/07/42
|
PW
182
|
08/07/42
|
08/07/42
|
20/07/42
|
20/07/42
|
PW
189
|
22/07/42
|
22/07/42
|
23/07/42
|
23/07/42
|
WP
191
|
24/07/42
|
25/07/42
|
28/07/42
|
29/07/42
|
PW
193
|
30/07/42
|
30/07/42
|
03/10/42
|
05/10/42
|
PW
227
|
07/10/42
|
07/10/42
|
08/10/42
|
08/10/42
|
WP
230
|
11/10/42
|
11/10/42
|
09/10/42
|
10/10/42
|
PW
230
|
12/10/42
|
12/10/42
|
18/10/42
|
18/10/42
|
WP
235
|
21/10/42
|
21/10/42
|
19/10/42
|
19/10/42
|
PW
235
|
22/10/42
|
22/10/42
|
04/11/42
|
04/11/42
|
PW
243
|
07/11/42
|
07/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
12/11/42
|
PW
247
|
14/11/42
|
14/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
15/11/42
|
WP
249
|
17/11/42
|
17/11/42
|
21/11/42
|
22/11/42
|
WP
252
|
23/11/42
|
23/11/42
|
24/11/42
|
24/11/42
|
PW
253
|
26/11/42
|
26/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
30/11/42
|
KX
007
|
08/12/42
|
08/12/4
|
06/12/42
|
13/12/42
|
MKS
003Y
|
23/12/42
|
23/12/42
|
24/12/42
|
25/12/42
|
PW
268
|
26/12/42
|
26/12/42
|
27/12/42
|
27/12/42
|
WP
270
|
29/12/42
|
29/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
28/12/42
|
PW
270
|
30/12/42
|
30/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
31/12/42
|
WP
272
|
01/01/43
|
02/01/43
|
04/02/43
|
04/02/43
|
PW
289
|
05/02/43
|
06/02/43
|
08/02/43
|
12/02/43
|
KMF
009
|
16/02/43
|
16/02/43
|
17/02/43
|
17/02/43
|
MKF
009
|
19/02/43
|
24/02/43
|
03/03/43
|
04/03/43
|
WP
303
|
05/03/43
|
05/03/43
|
05/03/43
|
06/03/43
|
WP
304
|
07/03/43
|
07/03/43
|
15/03/43
|
15/03/43
|
KMF
011
|
23/03/43
|
23/03/43
|
25/03/43
|
26/03/43
|
MKF
011
|
01/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
05/04/43
|
MKF
011A
|
12/04/43
|
12/04/43
|
06/05/43
|
06/05/43
|
WP
335
|
08/05/43
|
08/05/43
|
15/05/43
|
15/05/43
|
PW
339
|
16/05/43
|
16/05/43
|
26/05/43
|
26/05/43
|
WP
345
|
28/05/43
|
28/05/43
|
31/05/43
|
31/05/43
|
PW
347
|
02/06/43
|
02/06/43
|
03/06/43
|
03/06/43
|
WP
349
|
05/06/43
|
05/06/43
|
06/06/43
|
06/06/43
|
PW
350
|
07/06/43
|
08/06/43
|
12/06/43
|
12/06/43
|
PW
353
|
14/06/43
|
14/06/43
|
24/06/43
|
05/07/43
|
KMS
018B
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
10/07/43
|
MKF
018
|
17/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
KMF
019Y
|
unknown
|
unknown
|
20/07/43
|
20/07/43
|
MKF
019Y
|
23/07/43
|
23/07/43
|
14/07/43
|
21/07/43
|
MKF
019
|
23/07/43
|
30/07/43
|
12/07/43
|
07/08/43
|
UGS
012
|
09/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
29/07/43
|
07/08/43
|
KMS
021
|
09/08/43
|
10/08/43
|
15/08/43
|
16/08/43
|
MKS
022
|
25/08/43
|
25/08/43
|
16/12/43
|
18/12/43
|
MKF
027
|
20/12/43
|
04/01/44
|
12/01/44
|
12/01/44
|
SNF
012
|
16/01/44
|
16/01/44
|
15/01/44
|
26/01/44
|
KMF
028
|
29/01/44
|
29/01/44
|
03/02/44
|
03/02/44
|
XIF
009
|
08/02/44
|
08/02/44
|
09/02/44
|
09/02/44
|
IXF
009
|
13/02/44
|
13/02/44
|
02/03/44
|
02/03/44
|
MKF
029
|
09/03/44
|
16/03/44
|
11/03/44
|
13/03/44
|
NSF
017
|
14/03/44
|
14/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
15/03/44
|
SNF
017
|
18/03/44
|
18/03/44
|
08/04/44
|
08/04/44
|
MKF
029B
|
10/04/44
|
17/04/44
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Note
on Convoys)
|