Sailing ship escort vessel

[Rick Lowe]

 

[Old Wombat]

Looks good 

Looks tiny! 

[perttime]

It does look pretty small for crossing an ocean.

... so, definitely a Bad Idea 

[Wardukw]

It does look pretty small for crossing an ocean.

... so, definitely a Bad Idea 

Yep..totally agree there 

Great little build 

[Joe C-P]

Looks good 

Looks tiny! 

1/700 scale.  I have a few more for future builds.  I bought a set of four ships for one cutter and one brig for real world buiids, and the seller tossed in a second set of four, hence my recent builds.

[Joe C-P]

In 1939 the Royal Navy was looking anywhere and everywhere for ships to patrol for and against German submarines.

In Liverpool the accommodation and receiving sloop HMS Bifters still carried some of her original cannon, and twice a year would sail upon the Irish Sea.  Well-maintained, she was offered up to Whitehall as a training vessel.

Due to a clerical mixup by a near-sighted senescent clerk between the training vessel and HMS Drifter, a trawler meant to be a patrol vessel, Bifters received orders and monies to be outfitted with two 20mm guns, depth charges and a K gun, and a modern two-way radio and code book.  There were also monies for improved habitation. 

Taking his orders to the harbor quartermaster, the captain was met with great skepticism, which he matched.  The official cabled the head office, where the same venerable clerk received the inquiry. Grumpily he reinforced his own decision, resulting in the Scouser quartermaster releasing the requisitioned materials and wishing Bifters' captain "fair winds, following seas, and Godspeed."

Her captain and crew worked to mount the new weapons on their aged vessel, reinforcing the deck for the machine cannons and anti-submarine weapons, while reading the manuals on how to operate those.  They also prepared to test their historic weapons for effectiveness, reasoning they might serve as well. 

After consideration and calculations the captain determined she could not carry depth charges, being unsure of her speed leaving her vulnerable to self-damage.  The K-guns however would send the bomb far enough away so they were mounted aft, where at least one would always clear the long boom. 

The heavy machine cannon were mounted just forward of the mast. Four additional smaller MGs replaced historic swivel guns.  Finally she requisitioned any 18 lb shells to be found in the historical armories - ball shot, chain shot, bar shot, and grape shot. Examining their 9 available cannon they picked the four in best condition, carefully testing with limited charges, ramping up to full power to confirm they'd made the right choices. One spalled and so swapped out. 

Her sea trials would be a nearly clean sweep.  All the weapons were successfully fired, engaging multiple sea-based and flying targets.  The crew learned to be careful of standing rigging, having cut a few wires and lines in their eagerness and inexperience with modern weapons. The K gun launchers had to be timed with the roll of the ship and swing of the sails, but caused no damage to the reinforced deck. And the ancient cannon performed masterfully, each crew sinking multiple target barrels.

The report to headquarters was received, skimmed, filed, and met with a "Well Done" followed by orders for her first anti-sub patrol of the Irish Sea.

This first opportunity went well, albeit unpleasantly, for the weather was indeed decidedly unpleasant. She returned to the sea for a second patrol, where encounters with more modern warships went poorly, the ancient vessel's RN jack met with derision and dismissal. 

Once back in port her captain ordered her repainted in standard dark grey. From stores he obtained a modern military radio, which aerial was mounted atop the mast. Before it a small searchlight, directionally controlled from below.  Two Carley floats were mounted port and starboard aft, along with a handling boom inside the starboard taffrail.  He even considered an engine and screw but the ship's design wouldn't permit such an upgrade.

On her next deployment the ship's crew exercised again, learning to work with their spotlight to detect small objects on the waters of the Irish Sea in adverse conditions. She also worked with other warships in escorting ships, proving her capabilities even while restricted to the power of the wind.  She even managed to sneak up on more than one fuel-powered warship in the dark and fog, challenging them with a cannon shot.

This time she returned to port HMS Bifters was saluted properly for her work, though she still not yet had had any encounters with an enemy warship. That would change on her next sail.

The U-T1 was an Austrian sub from the Great War, one that had sat in harbor slowly deteriorating, though still cared for by a few dedicated veterans.  Being small and limited in capability, he had escaped scrutiny and scrapping until the Anschluss.  His caretakers immediately offered their boat to the Kreigsmarine, which, after much private laughter, decided they could serve as a training vessel.

Sent to Brest after France's conquest, U-T1 sailed about the harbor and nearby waters with young submariners, teaching how to operate their vessel before crewing more modern U-boats. 

On this particular date the crew of U-T1 had finally been granted permission to take a proper war cruise. They knew their old little boat was a laughing stock and hoped sinking at least one enemy vessel would restore their honor.

They aimed for the Irish Sea, hoping to catch an inbound convoy as it broke up, the escorts departing and leaving freighters defenseless.   However, they missed any such, instead encountering an aged sailing ship.  Not wishing to waste their very few torpedoes the captain ordered to surface and engage with their deck gun.

The Bifters were surprised and indeed delighted when a small submarine appeared off their port bow.  None of them could identify the craft, beyond it clearly being very old.  The captain order the main guns loaded and run out, while the port forward HMG was readied.  When the sub's crew clambered out and began preparing their deck gun to fire, running up the flag of the German Navy, they knew they finally had their chance.

Aboard the U-T1 the crew were shocked when the aged sailer ran out old cannons, and had to laugh when they were actually fired!  Then the ship opened up with a machine gun and they hurried to their task of loading their deck cannon, while the captaion order the torpedo crew to stand by, just in case.

On Bifters the HMG was unable to find a clear shot due to her course, angle, and the ship's rigging.  The cannons werereloaded with bar and chain shot, while the crew adjusted the sails and reshaped their course.

U-T1's gun crew managed a shot, which flew high straight through a sail to fall harmlessly beyond.  They reloaded and were preparing a second shot when the cannons went off again.  This time there was no laughter as their periscopes were smashed.  After a few seconds the shock wore off and they managed the second shot, clipping the ship's stern.

Bifter's crew cheered at their success, and all four cannon were loaded with grapeshot.  Expertly they fired again from the port cannon, injuring some of the sub's crew and clanging her hull, and then with a brilliant pivot came about and let loose, which send the submariners toward their hatches.

U-T1's captain was displeased with the situation, but preferring not to risk his crew's lives even to such primitive weapons, he ordered a torpedo loaded, while trying to maneuver his vessel away from the line of fire.

Bifters' crew next loaded solid shot, one of which did damage the sub's sail, the other deflecting off the hull leaving a dent.  Realizing they weren't going to sink it with their old cannons, and the machine gun not causing much damage either, they reshaped their course to try the K gun to launch depth charges.

Once the torpedo was loaded U-T1's captain turned his boat to fire, using their one advantage - engines.  "Loose!" came the order, and the torpedo launched.

Bifter's crew were angered more than scared at the trace of bubbles heading toward them, letting fly with every hand weapon to try to trigger it.  As it neared they wisely ran away from the impact point, only to sigh with relief as it passed under them.  They responded by launching a depth charge, which came close but didn't explode until it had sunk well below the sub.

Deciding it was time to abandon trying to sink this one old ship, U-T1's captain ordered submergence, turning away. 

Bifters' crew immediately turned to chase, and managed to clip the sub's sail before it dove too deep.  This damaged both vessels, enough to force the sub to surface again while Bifters' crew discovered water climbing in the hold.  The historic warship, despite being forced to turn for home, managed to clang three more 18 lb shells off U-T1's sail, leaving two deep dents and demolishing the rest of the periscope base, before her gun crews had to turn their hands to the pumps as the ship's carpenter shored up the hull.

Upon her return to port the crew of HMS Bifters proudly boasted of their battle, to both cheers and skepticism.  However, when her feat was relayed to the Admiralty, their story was confirmed by intercepted messages from the Kreigsmarine, the U-T1's crew begging for aid as they fought to keep their boat afloat.

Therefore a delegation went to Liverpool to honor the ship's crew with medals for valour.  Upon arrival they asked after the HMS Drifter, the confused harbour master leading them to an unarmed fishing trawler.  The crew were also mystified and perturbed that they hadn't received their expected orders to serve, while "that old wooden tub" had hogged all the glory.

Led to HMS Bifters, the Admiralty staff were astounded, amazed, aghast, amused.  Her crew were ready at the side to welcome them, piping them aboard with a proper salute from the harbourside guns. 

After politely listening to her captain recount the events, medals were distributed and a tour given showing how the historic ship had been modified to accept the modern weapons.  The carpenter then showed and talked them through the repairs needed to the vessel; beyond the solo forward hull there was damage to the stern, mast, and yards.

After their tour, the Admiralty contingent met to discuss the situation.  After some debate they agreed, and explained to the captain and crew that, while their service had been exemplary, and their battle impressive, the Royal Navy really needed modern, powered ships, and that once the armaments were transferred to the Drifter the Navy would pay for all the repairs to Bifters, and retain her in commission as a training auxiliary and receiving ship. 

The Bifters responded with resigned relief.  As exciting as their time had been, sending off the Nazi sub, they knew they'd escaped danger, and without an engine they'd be at a disadvantage to any modern foe.  So they took the deal, with the caveat they could keep their historic cannon and the small machine guns mounted on the rails, "just in case".

She served out the war training sailors on the Irish Sea, still exercising her classic guns and privately hoping another U boat would give her another shot at victory. Despite firing at a few suspected periscopes she never had the chance again.

[scooter]

 

[Wardukw]

  

[Old Wombat]

That is one of the best backstories I've ever read!       

[PR19_Kit]

Absolute MAGIC! 

[NARSES2]

Brilliant - made me smile......a lot     

[Rick Lowe]

Brilliant - made me smile......a lot     

Agree!