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
NameHMS Bellwort
NamesakeBellwort
Ordered12 December 1939
Yard numberJ1160
Laid down17 September 1940
Launched11 August 1941
Commissioned20 November 1941
Decommissioned1947
IdentificationPennant number: K114
FateSold to the Irish Naval Service, 1946
Ireland
NameCliona
NamesakeCliodhna
Acquired3 February 1947
Commissioned3 February 1947
Decommissioned2 November 1970
IdentificationPennant number: 03
FateScrapped, 1970
General characteristics [1][2]
Class and typeFlower-class corvette
Displacement925 long tons
Length205 ft (62 m)
Beam33 ft (10 m)
Draught11 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)
Speed16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Armament

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

Construction

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ Elliott p186
  2. ^ Conway p62

References

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  • 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.
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