Re: flushdeck DD transfers?

Hi Nelson,

Re: Honorific
A statement from Captain (D) in Liverpool after Campbeltown's assistance with the tanker Vinga:

"With reference to Campbeltown's report of proceedings I feel that some elaboration of the very bald statement covering the period 12h00 to 15h30 is necessary. Campbeltown was placed alongside the burning tanker and some 8 volunteers went on board with hoses and extinguished fires. These canvas hoses were supplied with pressure in Campbeltown and led from that ship on board Vinga. The fire was principally around the bridge and small-arms ammunition was burning and exploding during the period under review. Although the commanding officer of HNMS Campbeltown, Commander W. Harmsen, states that this operation was quite easy as the sea was calm, I am of the opinion that very good seamanship as well as iron determination to put out the fires saved the ship".

HNMS, mind you.

Every Dutch (secondary) source I have says Hr.Ms. Campbeltown.

Re: flagging of Campbeltown
Campbeltown was Dutch flagged, see photo. Oddly, the flag is flying upside down.



(Source: Arnold Hague "Destroyers for Great Britain", 1988)

Re: Middelburg
"Between 4 and late 9.41 CAMPBELTOWN served with 7th Escort Group apart from one repair period from 9.6 to 3.7. At one stage, the Dutch government wished to rename the ship MIDDELBURG, but the request was refused as this would have broken the system of twin town naming."

(Source: Arnold Hague "Destroyers for Great Britain", 1988)

Re: N-class destroyers
The crew for Campbeltown in large part came from the former French torpedoboat Bouclier, which was in too bad a material condition to be of any worth in active service. The experience with mechanical breakdowns was however very useful in Campbeltown, because the engine room personnel had become very experienced in handling troublesome machinery. Campbeltown had relative good performance when it comes to days available for service, and suffered fewer breakdowns, mainly due to the experience of her engine room personnel.

Campbeltown was returned to the Royal Navy because her crew was needed for the two N-class destroyers, purchased from Great Britain in March, 1941. Both ships were commissioned in the first half of 1942. Temporary utilization of crew until completion of these ships by manning Campbeltown for finite period of time is possible within the timeframe.

Re: Sources
Source of possible interest: J. Wingate "HMS Campbeltwon, fourstacker 1918-1942", 1971 (not in my possession).