LOCH-Class
Anti-Submarine Frigate ordered on 19th January
1943 from W Pickersgill
of Sunderland and to
be named LOCH.HEILEN. Orders were placed
with several other shipyards for LOCH Class
ships at the same time.
However in late 1943 this order was changed
for construction of a new design of
Anti-Aircraft Frigate (BAY Class - See General
Information). The
ship was laid down on 30th April 1944 as
Admiralty Job No J4802 (Yard No 266) and
was launched as HMS MORECAMBE BAY on 1st Nov.
1944.Tne ceremony was carried out
by Miss Mary Berry, whose father was the
managing director of a Teeside
engineering firm and a former Royal Navy
Officer.
No previous RN ship had borne this name. Work
was suspended after the end of
hostilities in the Far East and a new contract
to complete her build was placed
with J S White at Cowes. She was commissioned
on 22nd February 1949.
B
a t t l
e H o n o u r
KOREA
1950 - 53
H
e r a l d i c
D a t a
Badge:
On a Field White, White
4 pallets wavy blue.
a red rose barbed and seeded proper.
Explanation:
Morecambe Bay is at junction of four rivers
represented by the
'pallets
wavy blue' and the red rose is the County
emblem of Lancashire).
M
a n n i n g D i v i s i on
Portsmouth
S
u m m a r y
o f S e r v
i c
e
(for more
ship information,
go
to
Naval History Homepage
and
type name in Site Search
1
9 4 4
November
1st
Launched and fitting out commenced
1
9 4 5
January
Fitting out in continuation
to
August
September
Work suspended and ship Laid up in builder’s
yard.
to
December
1
9 4 6 t o 1 9 4
7
Laid-up until contract placed for completion
with JS White at Cowes
Ship taken under tow to Cowes.
1
9 4 8
Fitting out continued
1
9 4 9
January
Contractor's trials.
February
Contractors sea trials
22nd
Commissioned for
trials with reduced complement.
(Note: Due to demobilisation of wartime
conscripts and reservists there was a
significant
shortfall in personnel.)
Commanding Officer: Lieut Commander K R S
Leadley RN.
Acceptance trials
March
On completion of trials remained at
Portsmouth.
April
1st
Carried out exercises with HM Minesweeper
WELFARE.
4th
Embarked ammunition
7th
DG Ranging at Portland.
16th
Open to visitors.
May
Giving leave at Portsmouth.
to
Waiting to complete to allowed complement for
foreign service
July
Open to visitors including employees from
local firms, Sea Cadets and schoolchildren.
August
15th
Commissioned for Far East service
Commanding Officer, Commander CCB Mackenzie,
Royal Navy.
23rd
Prepared for foreign service at Portland.
September
1st
Passage to Heysham for official visit.
3rd
At Heysham.
to
Open to visitors.
8th
(Note: Outstanding hospitality accorded
including presentation of silverware
and a civic
reception.
9th
Passage to Malta for work-up.
26th
Commenced work-up and carried out routine
docking.
October
6th
Work-up with
Mediterranean Fleet ships
to (Note:
This included bombardments and Night Encounter
exercises
20th
Inspection by Flag Officer (Destroyers),
Mediterranean Fleet.
21st
Took passage to Singapore
28th
Called at Port Sudan.
November
1st
At Aden.
15th
Passage from Colombo to Singapore.
21st
Joined 4th Frigate Flotilla.
24th
Deployed for patrol and anti-terrorist
operations on West coast of Malaya.
28th
Assisted with fire-fighting in mv REBEVERETT
at Port Swettenham.
December
Deployed for Patrol duties with Motor
Launches.
7th
Live bombardment exercise with AUSTER aircraft
for spotting fall of shot
12th
Deployed for patrol off Singapore.
13th
Transferred to East coast of Malaya for patrol
Interrogation party embarked.
R&R period at Pulau Tioman.
21st
Resumed patrol off West Coast of Malaya.
23rd
At Penang for Xmas.
1
9 5 0
January
Deployed in Port Dickson area in continuation.
(Note: Patrols were carried out patrol with
Motor Launches and Police Launch.)
7th
Rest period and training in Singapore.
21st
Passage to Hong Kong for Fleet exercises.
30th
Took part in Fleet exercise.
February
Local Exercises at Hong Kong.
14th
Diverted from local bombardment exercise at
Hong Kong to carry out search with
HM Frigate
WHITESAND
BAY for crashed aircraft.
(Note: This was abandoned after 4 hours.)
25th
Deployed for patrol off Yangtse estuary and
for Guardship.
(Note: Maintained for protection of British
flagged mercantiles.)
March
1st
Yangtse Guardship duty in continuation.
to
Assisted ss EMPIRE MOUNTAIN detained by 2
Chinese Nationalist gunboats TAI CHOU
18th
and YANG SHOU.
19th
On relief by HM Destroyer CHARITY took passage
to Hong Kong.
April
1st
Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Hong
Kong.
May
Under refit.
12th
On completion of post refit trials carried out
local exercises with HM Cruiser
BELFAST
and HM Destroyer CONSORT.
15th
Took part in Flotilla exercises at Hong Kong.
31st
Passage to Singapore with HM Frigates MOUNTS
BAY and CARDIGAN BAY
June
6th
Arrived at Singapore and nominated for
anti-terrorist patrol duties.
8th
Deployed of east coast of Malaya with Aircraft
and MFV.
to
Interrogation party embarked.
16th
Regent of Pahang visited.
19th
Deployed in continuation for duty on west
coast of Malaya,
to
Royal Marines embarked
30th
Provided support for military operations near
Port Swettenham
(Note: Royal Marines and naval search party
landed.
Bombarded terrorist positions.
July
Johore Strait Patrol with HM Motor Launch 3507
to
Visited Pungga.
August
Aircraft attacks made on shore positions at
Babi Kerchk.
Deployed at Penang in continuation with
R&R at Lankawi
(Note: After outbreak of war in Korea
nominated for deployment with UN naval Task
Force based
at Sasebo, Japan.)
September
Passage
to
Sasebo
for duty with UN in Korea.
October
Deployed for bombardment and patrol duties off
W coast of Korea with RN snips.
(Note: These included HM Frigates MOUNTS BAY,
PUKAKI (RNZN) and TUTIRA (RNZN).
Took part in bombardment at Inchon.
November
Deployed with Task Group 95.13-and
in charge of
Minesweeping operations off west coast.
December
Deployed in support of evacuation of Inchon
with CTG 95-12
New Commanding Office: Commander J J E Famol
DSC Royal Navy appointed.
1
9 5 1
January
On relief by HM Frigate ST BRIDES BAY took
passage to Hong Kong.
February
Resumed duties with Flotilla.
March
Yangtse Patrol and Flotilla exercises in
continuation.
to
(Note: At time of research Ship's Deck Log not
available at PRO.
May
This restriction may have been due to
deployment in war operations.)
June
Detached for 2nd Operational Tour with UN off
Korea.
Took passage to Sasebo to join UN naval
forces.
Supported Korean Commando raids in Haeju and
Chojin area with CTG 95.12
July
Attached to US Navy Task Group 95.12 to assist
in bombardment off east coast of
Korea
in support of military operations.
(Note: Congratulatory signal from Commander US
7th Fleet (Vice Admiral HW Martin, USN)
for train-wrecking successes).
On completion transferred to RN Task Group on
west coast.
Deployed in Han River operations with HM
Frigates CARDIGAN BAY and MOUNTS BAY
in support of military operations to ensure
access to Seoul.)
August
Carried out shore bombardment in Han River
September
On relief from UN duties took passage to
rejoin Flotilla
October
Deployed at Singapore for anti-terrorist
patrol duties
to
Under refit at Singapore..
December
1
9 5 2
January
Re-commissioned for further service with
Flotilla in Far East.
On completion of post refit trials deployed
for
shakedown prior to further detached service
with
UN off Korea.
Carried out Malacca Strait patrol and support
of anti-terrorist military operations.
February
Passage to Sasebo for 3rd Operational UN Tour.
Deployed in with CTG 95.22 in Sonjin and
Chojin area off east coast.
March
Sustained slight damage by shore battery fire.
Transferred to RN Task Group for service on
west coast of Korea.
April
Deployed with RN Task Group for patrol duties
and gunfire support.
(Note: 11 volunteers served ashore with
British army unit).
On relief took passage to Hong Kong to resume
Flotilla duties.
May
Deployed at Hong Kong
Visited Macao and took part in local area
exercises and patrols.
June
Flotilla deployment in continuation.
to
Commander JAH Hamer OBE RN appointed.
July
Nominated for 4th Operational Tour with UN off
Korea.
August
Passage to Sasebo to rejoin UN Command.
September
Deployed off west coast of Korea for island
patrols and support. Han River area
bombardment.
October
East coast deployment in continuation.
First Sea Lord (Admiral R. McGrigor) visited
at Yong Pyong Do.
November
On relief took passage to Hong Kong.
December
Deployed at Hong Kong with Flotilla and
carried out patrol duties.
1
9 5 3
January
Hong Kong deployment in continuation.
Patrols in Tolo Harbour and Junk Bay.
Carried out search for missing aircraft in
Swatow Bay.
February
Hong Kong local patrol duties in continuation.
to
Passage from Hong Kong to Singapore for
military support patrols duties.
March
Deployed off west coast of Malaya.
April
Nominated for further detached duties with UN
off Korea
Passage to rejoin UN naval forces off Korea.
May
Commenced 5th UN Operational Tour.
Under fire in Chodo area with US Navy Landing
Ship.
Counter-fire provided by US Battleship USS
NEW
JERSEY.
June
UN support duties off west coast of Korean
continuation.
Provided Guard for rededication of War Grave
cemetery at Kobe.
West coast patrol and bombardment.
July
Bombarded enemy positions on Chodo Island.
August
On relief took passage to Hong Kong for refit.
(Statistical Data:
185 days under UN
Command,
84,300 miles steamed,
15,200
tons fuel used.)
September
Under refit at Hong Kong.
26th
On completion commenced post refit trials.
October
13th
Joined in Flotilla exercises at Hang Kong
17th
Funnel deck found to be corroded and split.
Taken in hand for repair
19th
Resumed Flotilla exercises.
23rd
Took passage to Sasebo to resume UN duties.
31st
Deployed as west coast Guardship as Pangyong
Do.
November
1st
Carried out patrol and gunfire support duties.
to
15th
16th
Passage to Kure for R&R.
25th
Passage to Area NAN on west coast to relieve
HM Australian Destroyer TOBRUK.
27th
Commenced Patrol and Guardship duties at
Pangyoung Do.
December
UN duties in continuation.
9th
Relieved by HM Destroyer COMUS and took
passage to
Kure.
(Note: During this period Signalman G. C.
Gates died ashore at Kure on 4th December.)
14th
Passage from Kure to Hong Kong.
(Note: Carried out surveillance of Chinese
Nationalist warships in Formosa Strait).
22nd
Arrived at Hong Kong for Fleet exercises.
29th
Deployed for Flotilla exercises with HM
Frigates CARDIGAN BAY,
MOUNTS BAY and
ST BRIDES BAY.
1 9 5
4
January
4th
Carried out anti-submarine exercise with HM
Submarine THOROUGH during passage
to Singapore
13th
Deployed for patrol on west coast of Malay
with Interpreter
to
Liaison officer embarked. In conjunction with
Police launch.
23rd
Bombarded shore positions on 16th January.
(Note: Malayan RNVR personnel also on board
for sea experience.
Part of counter insurgency operation and
prevention
of activities by
terrorists from
Indonesia).
24th
Deployed at Singapore for patrol in Malacca
Straits.
February
1st
Passage to Penang for visit by Flag Officer,
Malayan Area.
9th
Passage to Singapore on completion of visit
and towed Motor Launch.
15th
Took part in Fleet Exercise SONATA in Gulf of
Thailand.
to
(Note: Serials included convoy Screening,
Anti-submarine operations,, Tow, Night
Encounter,
25th
and Replenishment with provision of RAF
reconnaissance).
26th
Detached with HMS MOUNTS BAY and took passage
to Hong Kong.
March
At Hong Kong for maintenance.
6th
New Commanding Officer: Commander A C
Tupper DSC RN joined.
18th
Deployed for Formosa Strait patrol.
to
Escorted ss INCHISLAY on passage from Shanghai
to Hong Kong.
26th
April
Self refit period in Hong Kong.
20th
Re-commissioned for service in Far East.
29th
On completion carried out Pearl River patrol.
May
Deployed at Hong Kong.
8th
Carried out Formosa Strait patrol.
18th
Exercised with ships of Squadron off Hong
Kong.
31st
Took passage to Sasebo for UN duties.
June
13th
Deployed
off west coast of Korea for patrol and
Guardship
28th
Took passage to Kure on relief.
July
4th
Carried cut surveillance of Chinese
Nationalist warships in Formosa Strait during
passage from
Kure to Hong Kong.
11th
Passage from Hong Kong to Singapore for refit.
28th
Taken in hand for refit. Crew transferred to
HMS TERROR.
August
Under refit.
Nominated for transfer to America and West
Indies Station after refit in UK.
To visit ports in USA and central America
during return passage.
(Note: This was part of a policy change to
reduce length of foreign commissions.
September
9th
Post refit trials.
11th
Carried out Shakedown cruise off Singapore.
22nd
Took passage to Hong Kong.
27th
At Hong Kong for 1st Sea Lord's visit.
October
1st
Took passage to join USA via Yokosuka, Japan
and Panama.
7th
At Yokosuka.
9th
Passage to Pearl Harbour.
23rd
At Pearl Harbour.
29th
Took passage to San Francisco after call at
Hilo, Hawaii.
November
Pacific Passage.
8th
At San Francisco
12th
Two ratings injured in road traffic accident
on Oakland Bridge.
One later died in hospital EM 1st Class R
VENN, P/MX924369).
16th
Took passage to Los Angeles.
17th
At Long Beach US Navy Base, Los Angeles.
22nd Took
passage to San Diego
At San Diego
29th
Took passage to Acapulco
(Note: The remaining visits were the first to
be paid by a British warship for many years
giving a unique opportunity for shore
excursions.)
The Ship was opened to visitors and much
generous hospitality was offered to
all of the ship's company.
December
4th
At Acapulco.
7th
Took passage to San Jose, Guatemala.
9th
At San Jose.
13th
Took passage to La Libertad, El
Salvador.
17th
Passage from La Libertad to Balboa, Panama.
20th
Took passage to Kingston, Jamaica after
transit of Panama Canal.
23rd
Arrived at Kingston.
1 9 5
5
January
Joined HM Cruisers SUPERB and QUEBEC (RCN), HM
Frigates BIGBURY BAY,
BURGHEAD BAY with other NATO warships for
exercises.
At short notice for steam due to hurricane
warnings.
21st
Took passage to Portsmouth with four Army
personnel embarked for return to UK.
27th
Experienced heavy weather during passage.
Sailing dinghy lost overboard.
February
2nd
Arrived at Portsmouth
17th
Taken in hand for refit.
March
Under refit including period in dry dock
to
April
May
11th
New ship's company joined and accommodated in
RN Barracks.
June
Under refit
July
29th
Ship's company moved on board.
31st
Commissioned for service on America and West
Indies Station.
Commanding Officer: Commander T C Meyrick RN.
August
5th
Carried out post refit trials Post refit
trials
to
18th
20th
Commenced work-up at Portland and weapon
calibrations
31st
Passage to Portsmouth.
September
Prepared for foreign service
19th
Took passage to Bermuda.
30th
At Bermuda.
October
22nd Passage
to Grenada.
28th
Embarked Governor for passage to Carricoa, St
Georges.
31st
Passage to Trinidad.
November
1st
At Port of Spain.
3rd
Sailed to carry out Visits Programme with
calls at Bridgetown, Barbados, St Lucia,
Barbuda and
Tortola.
18th
Took passage from Tortola for Kingston,
Jamaica.
27th
Passage to Guantanamo for exercises with HM
Cruiser KENYA and US Navy ships.
December
1st
Took part in joint exercises.
9th
Returned to Kingston with HMS KENYA.
12th
Resumed joint RN/USN exercises.
18th
Took passage to Bermuda.
21st
At Bermuda.
1
9 5 6
January
9th
Took passage to Kingston, Jamaica with HM
Frigate ST AUSTELL BAY.
13th
HMS ST AUSTELL BAY detached.
14th
Embarked Governor Designate, British Honduras
at Kingston for passage to Belize.
17th
Governor disembarked.
20th
Commenced Visits Programme to Bluefields,
Nicaragua, Colon and Bocas del Tore,
Panama
February
4th
Passage to Kingston from Bocas del Toro.
10th
Took passage from Kingston to Georgetown,
Grand Cayman,
18th
Sailed from Georgetown for programmed visit to
USA ports in Gulf of Mexico.
22nd At
Brownsville, Texas. 5,000 visitors recorded in
Deck Log.
March
1st
At Corpus Christi, Texas. 1,630 visitors
recorded in Deck Log
8th
At Mobile, Alabama.
16th
At Tampa, Florida.
Unarmed party marched in local procession.
Variety Show by USO was broadcast from ship.
22nd
Return passage from Tampa to Bermuda.
28th
Arrived at Bermuda.
April
Took part in Military Tattoo at Hamilton
during stay in Bermuda.
Carried out local exercise with HMS ST AUSTELL
BAY.
May
2nd
Took passage to Norfolk, Virginia with HMS ST
AUSTELL BAY.
5th
At Norfolk, Va.
10th
Visited Baltimore after passage up Chesapeake
River with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.
15th
Took passage to Savannah, Georgia.
18th
At Savannah, Ga.
22nd Took
passage to Bermuda.
23rd
Met HMS ST AUSTELL BAY and carried out joint
exercises
25th
Arrived at Bermuda
June
At Bermuda for Annual Inspection.
(Note: Sea Serials with HMS ST AUSTELL BAY.)
11th
Took part in Exercise HOURGLASS with HM
Frigates ST AUSTELL BAY, WAKEFUL,
ROEBUCK
and WHIRLWIND.
(Note: This was a major international assembly
including ships of Home Fleet, Canadian and
Dutch warships.)
Exercise included anti-submarine serials with
RN and US
Navy submarines.
27th
On completion returned to Bermuda.
(Note: Provided first aid party after fire in
Canteen ashore)
July
Prepared for patrol and visits programme to
Caribbean ports.
9th
Sailed for Antigua from Bermuda.
14th
At Antigua.
Provided English Harbour working party.
19th
At Barbados, Windward Islands
25th
At Trinidad with HMS BIGBURY BAY.
30th
Passage to Paramaribo, capital of Dutch Guiana
August
1st
At
Paramaribo.
6th
Passage to Demerara via Mackenzie River
(Essequibo).
10th
At Demerara
13th
Passage to Puerto Rico with call at Pointe a
Pitre, Guadaloupe for fuel.
18th
At San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Exchanged calls with US naval authorities.
23rd
Took passage to Bermuda.
26th
Arrived at Bermuda.
Prepared for return passage to Pay-off in UK.
September
1st
Took passage to Portsmouth with HMS ST AUSTELL
BAY.
8th
Detached. Arrived at Portsmouth.
12th
Arrived at Portsmouth
F i n
a l P h a s e
HMS
MORECAMBE BAY Paid off on 19th November 1956
and was laid up
in Reserve at Portsmouth. Later she was
transferred to Barrow and placed on the
Disposal List. On 9th May 1961 this frigate
was sold to Portugal and renamed
DOM FRANCESCO DE ALMEIDA. Following a refit by
John I Thornycroft
at Woolston,
Southampton she was handed over to the
Portuguese Navy on 3rd August 1961 and served
in until September 1970 when she
was demolished. Her RN service was especially
notable as she spent most of it
on foreign service which included periods with
the United Nations naval Task
Groups during the Korean War and visits to
west coast of North America.
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