Dates: 1944 - 1961

LOCH-Class Frigate ordered from Harland & Wolff at Belfast on 2nd February 1943 and laid down as Job No J3373 (Yard Number 1246) on 28th December 1943. The ship was launched on 23rd May 1944 as the 1st RN ship to carry the name. Build was transferred to John Brown after launch and the ship was towed to Clydebank for completion. Build was completed on 23rd October 1944 after fitting-out.

HMS LOCH CRAGGIE was deployed at Singapore for support of military operations in the Dutch East Indies against insurgents opposing return of Dutch colonial rule and as Guardship at Morotai in the Moluccas where Japanese prisoners of war were held before return to Japan. The ship returned to Devonport in July 1946 and Paid-off. She was placed in Reserve until being re commissioned in December 1950 as part of a programme to increase the active Fleet after the start of war in Korea. She served with the 5th Frigate Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet until January 1953 when she returned to Reserve. Although selected for modernisation this was not implemented and her equipment was preserved at Liverpool in 1954. On completion she was transferred to the Reserve Fleet Division at Gibraltar. Although offered for sale to the Portugal this was not accepted and the ship remained laid-up at Gibraltar until placed on the Disposal List in 1961. After being de-equipped the ship was sold in July 1963 for breaking-up in Lisbon by Dantops Leal and arrived there in tow on 25th October 1963.

View your bookmarks