View source for HMS Roebuck (H95)

{{short description|R-class destroyer converted to Type 15 frigate of the Royal Navy}}
{{other ships|HMS Roebuck}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2021}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=HMS Roebuck 1943 IWM FL 18252.jpg
|Ship caption=''Roebuck'' in June 1943
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Ship country=United Kingdom
|Ship flag={{shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name=HMS ''Roebuck''
|Ship ordered=May 1940
|Ship awarded=
|Ship builder=Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Co.
|Ship laid down=19 June 1941
|Ship launched=10 December 1942 (premature)
|Ship christened=
|Ship acquired=
|Ship commissioned=10 June 1943
|Ship decommissioned=1962
|Ship in service=
|Ship out of service=
|Ship renamed=
|Ship reclassified=
|Ship refit=
|Ship captured=
|Ship struck=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship fate=Scrapped, 1968
|Ship homeport=
|Ship motto=
|Ship identification=[[Pennant number]] H95/F195
|Ship badge=On a Field White, a Roebuck guardant proper.
|Ship nickname=
|Ship honours=*Sabang (1944)
*Burma (1944–45)
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=As R-class destroyer
|Ship class=[[Q and R-class destroyer|R-class]] [[destroyer]]
|Ship displacement=*1,705 tons (1,732 tonnes)
*2,425 tons (2,464 tonnes) full load
|Ship length={{convert|358.25|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship beam={{convert|35.75|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|9.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=2 x Admiralty 3-drum [[water-tube boiler]]s, [[Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company|Parsons]] geared steam turbines, {{convert|40000|shp|abbr=on}} on 2 shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|36|kn|km/h|abbr=on}}
|Ship range={{convert|4675|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}
|Ship complement=176
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
* Radar Type 290 air warning
* Radar Type 285 ranging & bearing
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
* 4 × [[4.7 inch QF Mark XII|QF 4.7-inch (120-mm) Mk.IX guns]] single mounts CP Mk.XVIII
* 4 × [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|QF 2 pdr Mk.VIII]] (40 mm L/39), quad mount Mk.VII
* 2 × 2, 4 × 1 [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon|QF 20&nbsp;mm Oerlikon]], single mount P Mk.III<ref>{{cite book|last=Raven|first=Alan|author2=Roberts, John |title=War Built Destroyers O to Z Classes|publisher=Bivouac Books|location=London| pages = 47|year=1978}}</ref>
* 8 (2x4) tubes for [[British 21-inch torpedo|{{convert|21|inch|mm|adj=on}} torpedo]]es Mk.IX
* 4 × throwers & 2 x racks, 70 [[depth charge]]s
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=
}}{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=As [[Type 15 frigate|Type 15]] [[frigate]]
|Ship displacement=*2,300 tons (standard)
*2,700 tons (full load)
|Ship length={{convert|358|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship beam={{convert|37.75|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|14.5|ft|m|abbr=on}}
|Ship propulsion=*2 × Admiralty 3-drum boilers,
*[[steam turbine]]s on 2 shafts,
*40,000&nbsp;shp
|Ship speed={{convert|31|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} (full load)
|Ship range={{convert|4675|nmi|km|abbr=on}} at {{convert|20|kn|km/h}}
|Ship complement=174
|Ship time to activate=
|Ship sensors=
*Radar
* [[Type 293 radar|Type 293Q]] target indication.
* [[Type 277 radar|Type 277Q]] surface search
* Type 974 navigation
* [[List of World War II British naval radar#Type 262|Type 262]] fire control on director ''CRBF''
* Type 1010 Cossor Mark 10 IFF
*Sonar:
* Type 174 search
* Type 162 target classification
* Type 170 attack
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=
* 1 × twin 4&nbsp;in gun Mark 19
* 1 × twin [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40mm&nbsp;Bofors]] Mk.5;
* 2 × [[Limbo (weapon)|Limbo Mark 10 A/S mortar]]
|Ship armour=
|Ship aircraft=
|Ship notes=
}}
|}
'''HMS ''Roebuck''''' was an [[Q and R-class destroyer|R-class]] [[destroyer]] of the [[United Kingdom|British]] [[Royal Navy]] that saw service during [[World War II]]. She was the fifteenth ship to carry this traditional ship name, after a [[roe deer|small deer]] native to the British Isles, which was used as far back as the reign of [[Elizabeth I of England|Queen Elizabeth I]].

==Construction==
Ordered in May 1940 from [[Scotts Shipbuilding & Engineering Company|Scotts]] shipyard in [[Greenock]], construction was delayed and she was not laid down until 19 June 1941.<ref name="naval-history.net">{{Cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-53R-Roebuck.htm |title=HMS ''Roebuck'' |work=naval-history.net |accessdate=2 July 2010}}</ref> ''Roebuck'' then had the dubious honour of being launched prematurely by an air raid{{clarify|date=March 2015|reason=Context is unclear: was the ship launched prematurely by human hands (deliberately to prevent damage or accidentally in the confusion), or were bombs responsible for blasting the ship into the water?}} on 10 December 1942, her partially complete hulk lying submerged in the dockyard for three months before it was salvaged and completed in May 1943.<ref>''British and Empire Warships of the Second World War'', H. T. Lenton, Greenhill Books, {{ISBN|1-85367-277-7}}</ref>

==Service history==

===World War II ===

====1943====
After [[sea trial]]s, ''Roebuck'' was accepted into service on 10 June and assigned to the [[11th Destroyer Flotilla]] of the [[Eastern Fleet]], first taking passage to [[Scapa Flow]] to work-up with [[Home Fleet]]. In August, she was prepared for foreign service and then took passage to [[Freetown]], finally joining the Flotilla in the [[Indian Ocean]] in September, which was deployed for convoy defence and patrols.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

====1944====
On 12 March, ''Roebuck'' formed part of the escort for the [[aircraft carrier]] {{HMS|Battler|D18|2}} and the cruisers {{HMS|Suffolk|55|2}} and {{HMS|Newcastle|C76|2}}, with the destroyer {{HMS|Quadrant||2}}, during the search in the Indian Ocean for the German [[U-boat]] supply ship ''Brake''. After being intercepted by aircraft ''Brake'' was scuttled by her own crew.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

In June ''Roebuck'' was deployed with Fleet units off [[Burma]] and bombarded [[Mottama|Martaban]]. On 19 June, she formed part of the destroyer screen of Force 60 along with the destroyers {{HMS|Quality|G62|2}}, {{HMS|Quickmatch||2}}, {{HMS|Rotherham|H09|2}}, {{HMS|Racehorse|H11|2}}, {{HMS|Relentless|H85|2}} and {{HMS|Raider|H15|2}}, providing protection for the aircraft carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|87|2}}, the battlecruiser {{HMS|Renown|1916|2}}, {{Ship|French battleship|Richelieu||2|up=yes}}, and cruisers {{HMS|Nigeria|60|2}}, {{HMS|Kenya|14|2}} and {{HMS|Ceylon|30|2}}.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

On 25 July, she was deployed with the Flotilla as the screen for Eastern Fleet major units covering operations by the aircraft carriers {{HMS|Victorious|R38|2}} and {{HMS|Indomitable|92|2}} against targets at [[Sabang, Indonesia|Sabang]] and [[Sumatra]] in "[[Operation Crimson]]".<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

In August ''Roebuck'' took passage to [[Simon's Town]] for a refit by HM Dockyard, rejoining the Flotilla at Trincomalee in November.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

====1945====
In February ''Roebuck'' joined Force 68 for offensive patrols and bombarded the [[Cocos (Keeling) Islands|Cocos Islands]] with destroyers {{HMS|Rocket|H92|2}}, {{HMS|Rapid|H32|2}} and {{HMS|Rotherham|H09|2}} in Operations "Office" and "Training".<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

On 27 April, she was deployed with Force 63 as the screen for major fleet units providing cover for the landings at [[Rangoon]] in "[[Operation Dracula]]", and on the 30th was deployed with Force 62, and bombarded Matapan with the destroyers {{HMS|Racehorse|H11|2}} and {{HMS|Redoubt|H41|2}} in "Operation Gable" which also included the interception of enemy evacuation vessels. On 1 May she took part in bombardments at [[Car Nicobar]] with the Flotilla in "Operation Bishop".<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

On 13 May, ''Roebuck'', ''Redoubt'' and ''Racehorse'', escorted ''Nigeria'' from Trincomalee as Force 63, during a search for Japanese warships evacuating personnel from the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]], and remained with the Fleet screen during the [[Battle of the Malacca Strait|attacks on Japanese ships]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

On 18 June, she was deployed with the flotilla as a screen for the ships of 21st Aircraft Carrier Squadron, which comprised the [[escort carrier]]s {{HMS|Stalker|D91|2}}, {{HMS|Khedive|D62|2}} and {{HMS|Ameer|D01|2}}, and the cruisers {{HMS|Royalist|89|2}} and {{HMS|Suffolk|55|2}}, which were carrying out photo-reconnaissance flights over southern Malaya in "[[Operation Balsam]]".<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

On 5 July, she was deployed with the cruiser {{HMS|Nigeria|60|2}}, and destroyers {{HMS|Eskimo|F75|2}} and {{HMS|Vigilant|R93|2}} to cover minesweeping operations off Malaya and the Nicobar Islands. She then took part in bombardment of [[Nancowry Island|Nancowry]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

In August, ''Roebuck'' was preparing for large-scale landings in Malaya in "[[Operation Zipper]]", but the [[surrender of Japan]] brought hostilities to a close before they could be put into effect. She sailed to [[Singapore]] to support the re-occupation until sailing to Simon's Town in October to refit.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

===Post-war===
Following the successful conversion of her sister ships {{HMS|Rocket|H92|2}} and {{HMS|Relentless|H85|2}}, ''Roebuck'' was selected for conversion to a [[Type 15 frigate|Type 15]] anti-submarine frigate in 1952.<ref name="naval-history.net"/> She was given the new [[pennant number]] F195.<ref>http://www.uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4512.html Destroyer HMS Roebuck of the R class</ref>

On completion of the conversion in May 1953 she was recommissioned for service in the [[5th Frigate Squadron (United Kingdom)|5th Frigate Squadron]].<ref name="naval-history.net"/> In 1953, she took part in the [[Fleet Review]] to celebrate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.<ref>Souvenir Programme, ''Coronation Review of the Fleet, Spithead, 15th June 1953'', HMSO, Gale and Polden</ref>

In 1957, she refitted for training duties and joined the [[17th Frigate Squadron (United Kingdom)|Dartmouth Training Squadron]], replacing HMS ''Carron''. She went into refit again in 1959.<ref>Critchley, Mike, "British Warships Since 1945: Part 3: Destroyers", Maritime Books: Liskeard, UK, 1982. {{ISBN|0-9506323-9-2}}, page 54</ref> Recommissioned in May 1960, she joined the 17th Escort Squadron and remained on the operational list until returning to pay-off into reserve at [[Plymouth]] in 1962.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

==Disposal and fate==
Before being placed on the Disposal List the ship was de-equipped at [[HMNB Devonport|HM Dockyard Devonport]]. ''Roebuck'' was sold to the [[British Iron & Steel Corporation]] (BISCO) for demolition by [[Thos. W. Ward]]. She was towed to the breaker's yard at [[Inverkeithing]] on 8 August 1968.<ref name="naval-history.net"/>

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Publications==
* {{Cite Colledge2006}}
* {{cite book|last=English|first=John|title=Obdurate to Daring: British Fleet Destroyers 1941–45|publisher=World Ship Society|location=Windsor, UK|year=2001|isbn=978-0-9560769-0-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Friedman|first=Norman|title=British Destroyers & Frigates: The Second World War and After |publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|date=2006|isbn=1-86176-137-6|author-link=Norman Friedman}}
* {{cite book|last=Lenton|first=H. T.|author-link=Henry Trevor Lenton|title=British & Empire Warships of the Second World War|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=1998|isbn=1-55750-048-7}}
* Marriott, Leo, ''Royal Navy Destroyers Since 1945''. Ian Allan, 1989. {{ISBN|0-7110-1817-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Raven|first=Alan|last2=Roberts|first2=John |title=War Built Destroyers O to Z Classes |publisher=Bivouac Books|location=London|year=1978|isbn=0-85680-010-4|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Richardson|first1=Ian|editor1-last=Osborne|editor1-first=Richard|title=Type 15 Frigates, Part 2: Ship Histories|journal=Warships: Marine News Supplement|date=August 2021|volume=75|issue=8|pages=381–391 |issn=0966-6958}}
* {{cite book|last=Rohwer|first=Jürgen|title=Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945: The Naval History of World War Two|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|year=2005|edition=Third Revised|isbn=1-59114-119-2 |author-link=Jürgen Rohwer}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitley|first=M. J.|title=Destroyers of World War 2|publisher=Naval Institute Press|year=1988 |isbn=0-87021-326-1|location=Annapolis, Maryland|author-link=Michael J. Whitley}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080609084648/http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk/server/show/nav.1894 History: HMS ''Roebuck'']
* [http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-53R-Roebuck.htm HMS ''Roebuck'', Destroyer]

{{Q and R class destroyer}}
{{Type 15 frigate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roebuck (H95)}}
[[Category:Q and R-class destroyers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built on the River Clyde]]
[[Category:1942 ships]]
[[Category:World War II destroyers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Type 15 frigates]]