HMS Bentinck (K314)

HMS Bentinck was a Captain-class frigate during World War II. Named after John Bentinck commander of HMS Niger which participated in a number of engagements during the Seven Years' War including one in which HMS Niger defeated the French 74-gun ship of the line Diadem.

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Bentinck.

History
United Kingdom
BuilderBethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, US)
Laid down29 June 1942
Launched3 February 1943
Commissioned19 May 1943
DecommissionedReturned to US Navy on 5 January 1946
FateSold for scrapping 26 May 1946
General characteristics
Class and typeBuckley-class destroyer escort
Displacement1,800 tons fully loaded
Length306 ft (93 m) overall
Beam36.5 ft (11.1 m)
Draught11 ft (3.4 m) fully loaded
Speed24 knots (44 km/h)
Endurance5,500 nautical miles (10,200 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
ComplementTypically between 170 & 180

Originally destined for the US Navy as a turbo-electric (TE) type Buckley-class destroyer escort, HMS Bentinck was provisionally given the name USS Bull (later this name was reassigned to DE 693) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch.

Actions

HMS Bentinck served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group taking part in operations in the Arctic (Russian Convoys) and the North Atlantic.

On 26 January 1945 the submarine U-1051 was sunk in the Irish Sea south of the Isle of Man, at position 53°39′N 5°23′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck, HMS Aylmer, HMS Calder and HMS Manners. U-1051 was forced to the surface by the use of depth charges, then a gun battle ensued with U-1051 finally sinking after it had been rammed by HMS Aylmer. This action resulted in the loss of all 47 crew of U-1051.

On 8 April 1945 the submarine U-774 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, at position 49°58′N 11°51′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck and HMS Calder. U-774 was attacked by the use of depth charges after its periscope was spotted by a lookout on HMS Calder. This action resulted in loss of all 44 crew aboard U-774.

On 21 April 1945, the submarine U-636 was sunk in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, at position 55°50′N 10°31′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck, HMS Bazely and HMS Drury. U-636 was attacked by the use of depth charges. This action resulted in loss of all 42 crew aboard U-636.

General information
  • Pennant (UK): K 314
  • Pennant (US): DE 52

References
  • The Captain Class Frigates in the Second World War by Donald Collingwood. published by Leo Cooper (1998), ISBN 0-85052-615-9.
  • The Buckley-Class Destroyer Escorts by Bruce Hampton Franklin, published by Chatham Publishing (1999), ISBN 1-86176-118-X.
  • Niestle, Axel (1998). German U-Boat Losses During World War II. United States Naval Institute. ISBN 1-55750-641-8.
  • This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entries can be found here and here.
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