Dates: 1943 - 1946
H.M.S. Aire (K262)
A RIVER-Class Frigate ordered from Fleming and Ferguson of Paisley on 30th September 1941 under the 1941 Build Programme and laid down on 12th June 1942 as Job Number 1507 (Yard Number 597).
She was launched on 22nd April 1943 as the first RN ship to bear the name H.M.S. Aire and she had been ‘adopted’ by the City of Doncaster after WARSHIP WEEK a National Savings campaign in February 1942.
H.M.S. Aire was completed on 28th July 1943 and successfully served on Atlantic convoy duty but wasn’t mentioned in the records of the time, which is not unusual because although much publicity was given to the losses by U-Boat attacks, little was reported about the Atlantic convoys which arrived without incident.
Over 90% of Atlantic convoys had uneventful crossings and their escorts had little opportunities to demonstrate the extent of the rigorous training and their defence capabilities.
The contribution made by these ‘unsung’ ships companies to the safe and timely arrival of convoys was still one of the factors which enabled the allied navies to win the Battle of the Atlantic.
After the war H.M.S. AIRE was transferred to British Pacific Fleet in late 1945, after arrival in Hong Kong she was used as an Accommodation Ship.
Renamed H.M.S. TAMAR in March 1946 she carried out this role until shore accommodation became available in December that year and then reverted to her original name.
Whilst on passage to UK to Pay off she ran aground on Bombay Reef, south of Hainan, on 20th December 1946, the ship’s company was saved by HM Depot Ship BONAVENTURE but the ship became a total loss.
