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
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.

References

• Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger, eds. (1980). Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Elliott, Peter (1977). Allied Escort Ships of World War II: A complete survey. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0-356-08401-9.

External links

• Uboat.net Bellwort