HMS Caistor Castle
Vessel name on Arrival: HMS Caistor Castle
Original Builder: John Lewis & Sons Limited, Aberdeen, Scotland
Original Yard No: 178
Official Number:
Vessel Type: frigate
GRT: 1010
Year Built: 1943
Arrival Date: 30/03/1956
Breakup Started: 06/04/1956
Date First Beached: 06/06/1956
Date Breakup Completed: 06/08/1956
Draught For’d: 9' 6"
Draught Aft: 13' 6"
Name Changes:
+ Some sources refer to her as Caistor Castle whilst others refer to her as Caister Castle
+ Some sources refer to her as a Frigate whilst others refer to her as a Corvette
Other Information:
Twin-SCrew Castle-Class Patrol Frigate for the Royal Navy Pennant No. K 690
19-12-1942 : Ordered
26-08-1942 : Laid Down
22-05-1944 : Launched
29-09-1944 : Completed
Tonnages : 1,010 / 1,510 tons Dimensions : 76.8 metres x 11.2 metres
Propulsion : Triple Expansion Steam Reciprocating Engines rated at 2,880 IHP
Steam : Two Admiralty design 3-drum type Boilers
Speed : 16.5 knots
Armaments : 1 x 4 inch Gun + 10 x 20mm A. A. Guns + 1 Squid
Complement : 120 men
Summary of the Naval Career of Patrol Frigate HMS Caistor – P 690
September 1944
Commissioned for service in Western Approaches Command. Build completion and commencmment of Acceptance Trials.
October 1944
On completion of trials and storing took passage to Tobermory to work-up for operational service.
November 1944
Joined 30th Escort Group for Atlantic convoy defence.
(Note: Other escorts in this Group were sister ships:
HMS PEVENSEY CASTLE, HMS PORTCHESTER CASTLE, HMS KENILWORTH CASTLE
(Did not take part in anti-submarine operations with Group on 11th November when submarine U1200 was sunk by SQUID projectiles in series of attacks by Group)
December 1944
Deployed with Group for defence of Atlantic convoys. Atlantic convoy defence and anti-submarine search duties in the Western Approaches.
January & February 1945
Deployed with Group for anti-submarine patrol and convoy defence of coastal convoys around UK.
March to April 1945
Transferred to North Sea for convoy defence and patrol for the interception of minelaying operations by submersibles and E-Boats.
May 1945
After VE Day deployed with Home Fleet to take part in transfer of surrendered U-Boats in Norway.
Deployed with HM Cruiser BERWICK, HM Canadian Destroyers HAIDA, HURON and ships of 30th Escort Group at Trondheim.
June to August 1945
Deployed for escort of captured submarines and support of re-occupation operations.
Visited Home ports as part of Victory celebrations.
September 1945
Deployed in Home waters for training and Port duties
1 9 4 6
Paid-off and reduced to Reserve status after de-storing. Laid-up in Reserve Fleet at Plymouth
1 9 4 7 t o 1 9 4 8
Laid-up in Reserve at Plymouth
1 9 4 9
Underwent refit at Cardiff to ensure ready availability if required for service.
Carried out sea trials on completion and returned to Reserve
1 9 5 0
Laid-up in Reserve.
1 9 5 1
Taken in hand for further refit at Falmouth to ensure availability for service at short notice.
Carried out sea trials on completion before return to Reserve.
1 9 5 2
Laid-up in Reserve. Nominated for service in 2nd Training Squadron at Portland
1 9 5 3
January 1953
Brought forward for service and commissioned.
February 1953
Joined Squadron at Portland
March to May 1953
Deployed at Portland
June to July 1953
Attended Coronation Review at Spithead.
July to December 1953
Squadron training duties in continuation.
1 9 5 4
Squadron duties at Portland in continuation. Nominated for reduction to Reserve status.
1 9 5 5
Paid-off, destored and reduced to Reserve status at Devonport.
Laid-up in Reserve Fleet, Plymouth.
Placed on Disposal List.
1 9 5 6
Sold to BISCO and allocated for demolition by Arnott Young. Taken in Tow to Breaker’s yard at Troon, South Ayrshire Glasgow in late March.