H .   M . . S .   N E R I S S A  ( G 6 5 )

 

“NAPIER” Class destroyer ordered from John Brown, Clydebank on 15th April 1939 and laid down on 26th July

that year at the same time as sister ships being built at Govan by Fairfield and to be named NAPIER and NESTOR. .She was launched on 7th May 1940 and was the 2nd RN ship to bear this name, previously carried by a WW1 destroyer sold in 1921. Due to delay caused by late delivery of fire-control equipment it was possible to fit recently developed de-gaussing cables and 20mm close-range Oerlikon guns for AA defence before completion. The ship was transferred on loan to the Polish Navy in place of ORP GROM which had been sunk by aircraft off Norway in May 1940. Commissioned as ORP PIORUN her build was completed 4th November 1941 and she was nominated for service with the 7th Destroyer Flotilla in the Home Fleet. This ship was Lead Ship of the Class and her build cost excluding equipment supplied by the Admiralty such as guns, ammunition and signalling outfits was £400,963.16s. Details of service recorded are from British sources.

 

B a t t l e   H o n o u r s

 

JUTLAND 1916 *

(* Awarded to the 1st HMS NERISSA)

As this ship belonged to the Polish Navy during WW2  no

British Battle Honours were awarded.

 

 O . R . P .   P I O R U N

 

De t a i l s   o f   W a r   S e r v i c e   u n d e r   P o l i s h   C o m m a n d

 

1 9 4 0

 

October             Contractors trials and  commissioned for service in 7th Destroyer Flotilla as ORP PIORUN.

 

November

        4th             Build completion and commenced First of Class Acceptance Trials.

                          On completion of trials, storing and weapon calibration took passage to Scapa Flow for work-up

                          with ships of Home Fleet.

 

December          Deployed with Flotilla in Home Fleet.

                           Nominated for escort of military convoy and took passage to join Convoy WS5A in NW

                           Approaches to provide  Anti-submarine defence..

        19th            Joined WS5A with HM Destroyers KELVIN, KIPLING, OTTAWA (RCN) and the Free French

                           destroyer LE TRIOMPHANTE.

        22nd           Detached from WSA with A/S escorts and resumed Flotilla duties.

        28th            Deployed at Scapa Flow for further work-up

 

1 9 4 1

 

January.

         25th            Deployed as part of screen for HM Battleships NELSON, RODNEY and HM Battlecruiser

                            REPULSE during operation to intercept German battlecruisers SCHARNHORST and

                            GNEISENAU.

                             Sustained weather damage and withdrawn from Screen Returned to Scapa Flow.

 

February              Nominated for escort of military convoys and took passage to Clyde.

         8th              Joined Convoy WS6A with HM Destroyer LEGION as part of Local Escort.

        12th             Detached from WS6A with HMS LEGION and returned to Clyde.

        18th             Joined Convoy WS6B in Clyde with HM Destroyer LEGION and Polish

                            destroyer ORP GARLAND (Ex HMS GARLAND) as part of Local Escort.

        20th             Detached from WS6B and returned to Clyde.

        23rd            Under repair at builder yard including structural damage affecting fuel tanks.

 

March

        13th             During repair work at Clydebank supplemented AA defence during heavy  German air raid

                            (See THE CLYDEBANK BLITZ by IM MacFail and Council  records.).     

                            On completion resumed operational duties with 10th Escort Group.

       24th              Joined Convoy WS7 in Clyde with HMS LEGION to provide A/S defence

                            with Local Escort.

       26th              Detached from WS7 and returned to Clyde with HMS LEGION.

 

April.

        26th              Joined Local Escort for Convoy WS8A with HM Destroyers LEGION,

                             HURRICANE, OTTAWA (RCN), RESTIGOUCHE (RCN) and

                             SAGUENAY (RCN).

        29th              Detached from WS8A with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.

 

May                      Convoy defence based in Clyde in continuation with 14th Escort Group..

         22nd             Joined escort for Convoy WS8B in Clyde with HM Cruiser CAIRO, HM Destroyers

                              COSSACK, ERIDGE, MAORI, OTTAWA, SIKH, ZULU and RESTIGOUCHE (RCN)

                              as Local Escort during in NW Approaches.

         25th              Detached from WS8B with H M Destroyers COSSACK, MAORI, SIKH and ZULU to join

                              Home Fleet units in search for the German battleship BISMARCK.

         26th              Detached from Flotilla with HMS MAORI to join screen for HM Battleship RODNEY.

                              Under fire from BISMARCK and carried out some diversionary moves whilst remainder

                              of Flotilla made torpedo attacks on enemy ship.

         27th              After sinking of BISMARCK rejoined Flotilla and on release resumed Atlantic convoy

                              escort duties.

                              (For details of search and sinking of BISMARCK see BATTLESHIP BISMARCK by

                              Mullenheim-Rechberg and Naval Staff History.)

         28th              Under air attack during passage to CLyde with call at Plymouth to refuel

         31st              Joined Convoy WS8X in Clyde with HM Destroyers BRIGHTON,  LEGION,

                              SAGUENAY (RCN), ST MARY'S, SHERWOOD, VANSITTART, WILD SWAN and

                              WIVERN for Local Escort during passage in NW Approaches.

 

June

           3rd              Detached from WS8X and returned to Clyde with Local Escort.

                              On returned deployed for Atlantic convoy defence with Greenock Special Escort Group.

 

July                        Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

August                   Deployed with 9th Escort Group based at Greenock.

            2nd             Joined convoy WS10 with HM Destroyers  BROADWAY, GURKHA, LANCE, LEGION,

                               Dutch ISAAC SWEERS and HM Armed Merchant Cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE as Local

                               Escort during passage in NW Approaches.

             6th             Detached from WS10 with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.

           17th             Joined Convoy WS10X in Clyde with HM Destroyers GURKHA, LANCE, Dutch ISAAC

                               SWEERS and Dutch AA Cruiser HEEMSKERK as Local Escort for passage in NW

                               Approaches.

           19th             Detached from WS10X with Local Escort and returned to Clyde.

           30th             Joined Convoy WS11 with HM Destroyers COSSACK, HIGHLANDER, Dutch ISAAC

                               SWEERS, Polish ORP GARLAND, LEGION, LIVELY, WINCHELSEA, ZULU and HM

                               AA Cruiser  CAIRO as Local Escort for passage in NW Approaches.

 

September              Detached from WS11 and returned to Clyde with Local Escort.

                               Nominated for escort of Malta Relief Convoy (Operation HALBERD).

           17th             Deployed with HM Destroyers BLANKNEY, ORP GARLAND, ISAAC  SWEERS,

                               LAFOREY, LIGHTNING, ORIBI, PIORUN, WHITEHALL and WITCH as screen for HM

                               Battleships PRINCE OF WALES and RODNEY, HM Cruisers EDINBURGH, EURYALUS.

                               KENYA and  SHEFFIELD during passage to Gibraltar.

           24th             Ships of Force “H” joined HALBERD Convoy (WS11X) west of Gibraltar. Deployed in

                               Force “A” with HM Destroyers DUNCAN, GURKHA, LEGION, LANCE, LIVELY, FURY,

                               ISAAC SWEERS and ORP GARLAND as screen for HMS NELSON, HMS RODNEY, HMS

                               PRINCE OF WALES and HM Aircraft Carrier ARK ROYAL to cover the passage of

                               WS11X during passage in western Mediterranean as far as the Sicilian Narrows.

            27th            Under  air attack  by torpedo bombers during which HMS NELSON was hit by a torpedo but

                               remained with Force “A”

                               Italian battle squadron despatched to intercept HALBERD Convoy returned to Naples after

                               learning British ships included three battleships.

                               Detached with ships of Force “A” and remained in area during passage of mercantiles

                               escorted by ships of Force “X” through Narrows to  Malta.

            28th            HMS NELSON detached and returned to Gibraltar with escort of two destroyers.

            29th            Took passage to Gibraltar with ships of  Force “A” when Close Escort Force “X” rejoined

                               from Malta after arrival of WS11X

                               (For details of this operation see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE CLOSELY by C Barnett,

                               Naval Staff History, THE BATTLE FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN  by D Macintyre and)

                               MALTA CONVOYS by R Woodman.)

 

 October

              1st             Arrived at Gibraltar with ships of both Forces.

                                Took passage to UK with screen for Home Fleet major warships

                                on return, resumed Atlantic convoy defence based in Clyde.

 

November               Atlantic convoy defence continuation

 

December

            18th              Taken in hand for refit and modifications by builder at Clydebank.

 

1 9 4 2

 

January                     Deployed for Atlantic convoy defence with 25th Escort Group.

 

February                   Escorted Convoy ON70 with ships of 3rd British Escort Group (B3) for whole of

                                  Atlantic passage

                                  (See THE ECHO OF A FIGHTING FLOWER by P Coy)

 

March                       Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

April                         Deployed with 2nd British Escort Group including escort of Convoy SC81.

                                  (For details of Atlantic convoy defence policies and weapons used see THE BATTLE OF

                                  THE ATLANTIC by D Macintyre, U-BOAT WAR IN THE ATLANTIC (HMSO), SEEK

                                  AND STRIKE by W Hackmann and BUSINESS IN GREAT WATERS by J Terraine..)

 

May                           Atlantic convoy defence in continuation.

 

June                           Escorted Convoy ONS98 for passage to Argentia with HM Destroyer HARVESTER, HM

                                  Corvettes ORCHIS, Free French RENONCULE and PRIMROSE.

                                  Returned as escort for Convoy HX194 with HMS HARVESTER, HMS ORCHIS and Free

                                  French RENONCULE with air cover from HM Escort Aircraft Carrier BITER.

 

July                           Atlantic deployment in continuation including escort of Convoys ON121 and return

to August                  Convoy HX202 with B3 Escort Group.

 

September                 Escorted Convoy ONS126 and return Convoy HX207 with Group.

 

October

              1st                Taken in hand for refit in Dundee commercial shipyard

 

November                  Under refit

 

December                  Post refit trials and passage to rejoin Flotilla at Scapa Flow.

              8th               Worked-up with Flotilla at Scapa Flow in preparation for screening of major Home Fleert

                                   units during cover for passage of convoy to North Russia.

                                   Joined HM Destroyers MONTROSE, MUSKETEER, RAIDER, QUEENBOROUGH and

                                   WORCESTER as screen for HM Battleships KING GEORGE V, HOWE and HM Cruiser

                                   BERMUDA during passage in Arctic area to cover transit of  Convoy RA51 from

                                   Murmansk

                                   (Note : For details of all Russian  Convoy operations see CONVOYS TO RUSSIA by RA

                                                Ruegg, CONVOY ! by P Kemp, ARCTIC CONVOYS by R Woodman and

                                                THE RUSSIAN CONVOYS by B Schoefield.)

 

1 9 4 3

 

January                       Returned to Scapa Flow with ships of covering force.

            21st                 Deployed with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, OFFA, ONSLAUGHT,

                                    MATCHLESS and MUSKETEER as Ocean Escort for Russian Convoy JW52 during

                                    passage to Kola Inlet

            27th                 Detached from JW52 on arrival.

            29th                 Deployed with HM Destroyers BEAGLE, BULLDOG, ICARUS, FORESTER,

                                    MATCHLESS, MUSKETEER, OFFA, ONSLOW and ONSLAUGHT as Ocean Escort

                                    for return Convoy RA52 on departure from Kola Inlet.

 

February                      Joined 3rd Destroyer Flotilla, Home Fleet.

              5th                 Detached from RA52 on arrival of Local Escort.

            24th                 Joined screen for HMS KING GEORGE V, HMS HOWE and HM Cruiser BERWICK

                                    with HM Destroyers ICARUS, METEOR, MUSKETEER, OFFA and ONSLAUGHT to

                                    provide Distant Cover for passage of Russian Convoy JW53 to Kola Inlet.

            26th                 On completion of covering remained with Home Fleet screen.

 

March

              2nd                Deployed with HM Destroyers FORESTER, ICARUS, OFFA, MUSKETEER and

                                    ONSLAUGHT as screen for HM Cruiser GLASGOW, HMS KING GEORGE V and

                                    HMS HOWE to provide Distant Cover for return Convoy RA53 from Kola Inlet.

            20th                 Transferred to Western Approaches Command after arrival of RA53 at Loch Ewe and

                                    deployed for Atlantic convoy defence and support.

                                     (Note : The Battle of the Atlantic was at a critical stage. See above references.)

 

April                            Western Approaches deployment in continuation.

 

May                              Withdrawn from Atlantic convoy defence for repair.

            13th                   Under repair by HM Dockyard, Devonport.

            31st                   Resumed Home Fleet duties with Flotilla.

 

June                               Nominated transfer to 24th Destroyer Flotilla in Mediterranean for support of planned

                                      allied landings in Sicily (Operation HUSKY)

                                       Passage to Mediterranean to join Flotilla

 

July                                Prepared for screening duties during HUSKY.

                                      (For details of allied landings in Sicily see ENGAGE THE ENEMY MORE

                                      CLOSELY and Naval Staff History.)

             12th                  Deployed with screen for Covering Force to prevent any attempt by Italian Fleet units to

                                      interfere with landings.

                                      (Note : Covering Force comprised HM Battleships RODNEY, NELSON,

                                                   WARSPITE, VALIANT, HM Aircraft Carriers INDOMITABLE and

                                                   FORMIDABLE, HM Cruisers AURORA, CLEOPATRA, PENELOPE

                                                    and EURYALUS screened by HM Destroyers QUILLIAM, QUAIL.

                                                    QUEENBOROUGH. ISIS, FAULKNOR, ECHO, FURY, INTREPID,

                                                    RAIDER, ECLIPSE, INGLEFIELD, ILEX, TROUBRIDGE, TUMULT,

                                                    TYRIAN, OFFA  and Greek VASILLISA OLGA.)

 

August                          Remained in Mediterranean with detached Home Fleet ships as apart of 24th

                                       Destroyer Flotilla, Mediterranean Fleet.

                                       Nominated for support of planned allied landings on mainland of Italy.

             31st                   Carried out bombardment of coast between Reggio Calabria and Pessaro prior

                                       to landings of British XIII Corps with HMS NELSON, HMS RODNEY,

                                       HMS WARSPITE, HM Cruiser ORION, HM Destroyers OFFA, PETARD,

                                       QUAIL, QUEENBOROUGH, QUILLIAM, TARTAR, TROUBRIDGE and

                                       TYRIAN (Operation  BAYTOWN).

 

September

               2nd                  Carried out bombardment of Reggio.

               9th                   Deployed with screen for HMS NELSON, HMS RODNEY, HMS VALIANT

                                       and HMS WARSPITE providing naval gunfire support and cover from Italian

                                       major warship interference during allied landings at Salerno.

                                       (Operation AVALANCHE.)

                                       (Note : Screen included HM Destroyers QUILLIAM, QUEENBOROUGH

                                                    and  QUAIL of 4th Flotilla, TYRIAN, TUMULT and OFFA of 24th

                                                    Flotilla, FAULKNOR, INTREPID, ECLIPSE, INGLEFIELD,  FURY,

                                                    ILEX, ECHO, RAIDER and VASILLISA OLGA of 8th Flotilla.

                                                    Free French destroyers LA FANTASQUE and LE TERRIBLE were

                                                    also in the screen.)

                                       On release from Screen deployed with Flotilla for escort ,patrol and support

                                       of military operations.

 

October                          Mediterranean deployment with Flotilla in continuation.

 

November                      Deployed off west coast of Italy for patrol and support duties.

               8th                   Carried out bombardment of Volturno and shore targets in Gulf of Gaeta nea Naples

                                       with HM Destroyers GRENVILLE, TUMULT and TYRIAN.

                                        On release from Mediterranean duties took passage to UK.

             26th                    Arrived at Greenock and took passage to Clyde commercial shipyard for repair.

 

.December

               6th                    Taken in hand for repair

 

1 9 4 4

 

January                            Under repair

                19th                 On completion of post repair trials took passage to rejoin 3rd Flotilla at Scapa Flow.

                20th                 Work-up with Flotilla at Scapa Flow for planned Fleet operations off Norway.

 

February                          Home Fleet deployment in continuation

to April                            Nominated for transfer to Channel in support of planned allied landings in Normandy

                                         (Operation NEPTUNE)

                                         (Note :  As this ship was not deployed for screen of  Home Fleet units covering the

                                                      passage of Russian convoys or with their escort during this period and since

                                                      several Home Fleet operations were carried out to attack shipping off the

                                                      coast of Norway and on the German battleship TIRPITZ it may be assumed

                                                      that she was deployed for escort of ships during these operations.

                                                      These included Operations BAYLEAF (February), TUNGSTEN (April).

 

May                                  Home Fleet deployment in continuation

                  6th                  Deployed with HM Destroyers SAVAGE, WIZARD, WAKEFUL, ALGONQUIN

                                         (RCN) and Polish destroyer OROP BLYSKAWICA as escort for HM Aircraft

                                         Carrier FURIOUS, HM Escort Aircraft Carrier SEARCHER  and HM Cruiser

                                         BERWICK during air attacks on convoy north of Kristiansund during which two

                                         mercantiles were sunk.

                 11th                 Present at Scapa Flow during visit to Home Fleet by HM King George VI.

                 14th                 Deployed with HM Destroyers ONSLOW, OBEDIENT, URSA, WAKEFUL and

                                         ORP BLYSKAWICA as screen for HM Cruisers SHEFFIELD, ROYALIST, HM

                                         Escort Aircraft Carriers EMPEROR and STRIKER during air attacks on shipping

                                         off Narvik.

                 21st                 Transferred to 10th Destroyer Flotilla for service in English Channel including

                                         support of planned allied landings in Normandy.

                                         (For details of naval activities prior to and during landings see OPERATION

                                         NEPTUNE by K Edwards and LANDINGS IN NORMANDY (HMSO)).

                                         Passage to Plymouth to join HM Destroyers ASHANTI, ESKIMO, HAIDA (RCN),

                                         HURON (RCN), JAVELIN, TARTAR and Polish BLYSKAWICA.

 

June                                 Preparation for NEPTUNE.

                   6th                Carried out patrol in SW Approaches with ships of Flotilla to prevent any

                                        interference by German destroyers on assault landings.

                   9th                Intercepted German destroyers Z32, Z24, ZH1 and T24 north west of Ile de Bas and

                                        in engagement with ships of Flotilla ZH1 was sunk and Z32 forced to beach and

                                        wrecked.

                                        (Note : NARVIK Class Z24 sustained major damage.)

                 13th                Carried out attack on German minesweepers west of Jersey with HMS ASHANTI

                                        during which Minesweeper M343 was sunk, another beached and remainder all

                                        damaged. Ship sustained some damage in this action.

                                        (Note : The German ships were carrying torpedoes to Le Havre.)

                                        Taken in hand for repair on return to Plymouth.

 

July                                 On completion of repair Channel deployment at Plymouth in continuation.

                                        Took part in operations to intercept craft attempting to evacuation German personnel

                                        from Bay of Biscay ports.

 

August                            Deployed with HM Cruiser DIADEM and HM Destroyer ONSLOW in Bay of Biscay

                 12th                Took part in sinking of German Mine Clearance Ship, SPERBRECHER 7 near La

                                         Rochelle with HM Cruiser DIADEM and HMS ONSLOW.

 

September                      Channel deployment in continuation.

                 20th                Deployed in operation to support French Resistance on Audierne with Polish destroyer

                                        ORP BLYSKAWICA.

 

October                           Deployed in Plymouth Command for patrol and convoy defence.

to December

 

1 9 4 5

 

January                            Plymouth Command deployment in continuation

                                          Nominated for refit at Pembroke Dock and took passage.

                  29th                Taken in hand for refit by HM Dockyard, Pembroke Dock.

 

February                           Under refit and attached to 8th Destroyer Flotilla.

to March

 

April

                   28th                Post refit trials and took passage to rejoin Hoe Fleet at Scapa Flow.

 

May

                     1st                 Deployed at Scapa Flow to work-up for operational service

                   25th                On completion of work-up deployed with Home Fleet.

 

June                                   Home Fleet deployment in continuation

to August                         Transferred to 3rd Destroyer Flotilla

                                           (Note : During this period Home Fleet ships were deployed for support of the

                                                       re-occupation of Norway and of military occupation of Germany as

                                                       well as visits to ports in UK.

 

PO S T   W A R   N O T E S

 

ORP PIORUN continued service after VJ Day and was transferred to the 17th Destroyer Flotilla in October before joining the Polish Squadron serving with the Home Fleet in 1946. In July that year she was nominated for reduction to Reserve status and returned to the Royal Navy at Harwich the next month. She was then renamed HMS NOBLE as her original name had been transferred to a new ALGERINE Class Fleet Minesweeper during WW2. Whilst under Polish command she had steamed 218,000 miles and given noble service to the allied cause. After two years laid-up at Harwich she was transferred to the Reserve Fleet Division at Sheerness and  later in 1953 joined the Reserve Fleet at Chatham. Although selected for conversion to a Type 16 Anti-Submarine Frigate, this was never undertaken and in 1954 she was moved to Hartlepool to be laid-up. Placed on the Disposal List in May 1955 she was sold to BISCO for demolition in September, and towed to Dunston on Tyne where she arrived at the Clayton & Davie Ltd for breaking-up on 2nd December that year.