Laid down 29 June 1942 Construction started 29 June 1942 | Commissioned 19 May 1943 Launched 3 February 1943 | |
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Builder Bethlehem-Hingham Shipyard Inc. (Hingham, Massachusetts, USA) Decommissioned Returned to US Navy on 5 January 1946 Fate Sold 26 May 1946 and broken up for scrap Displacement 1,800 tons fully loaded | ||
HMS Bentinck was a Buckley class Captains class frigate during World War II. Named after John Bentinck commander of HMS Niger which participated in a number of engagements during the Seven Years' War including one in which HMS Niger defeated the French 74 gun ship of the line Diadem.
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Originally destined for the US Navy, HMS Bentinck was provisionally given the name USS Bull (later this name was reassigned to DE 693) however the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding Officers were Cdr E H Chavasse RN (Senior Officer 4th Escort Group) June 1943 and Cdr R Garwood RN (Senior Officer 4th Escort Group) July 1944.
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HMS Bentinck served exclusively with the 4th Escort Group taking part in operations in the Arctic (Russian Convoys) and the North Atlantic.
On 26 January 1945 the submarine U-1051 was sunk in the Irish Sea south of the Isle of Man, at position 53°39′N 5°23′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck, HMS Aylmer, HMS Calder and HMS Manners. U-1051 was forced to the surface by the use of depth charges, then a gun battle ensued with U-1051 finally sinking after it had been rammed by HMS Aylmer. This action resulted in the loss of all hands (47) from the crew of U-1051.
On 8 April 1945 the submarine U-774 was sunk in the North Atlantic south-west of Ireland, at position 49°58′N 11°51′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck and HMS Calder. U-774 was attacked by the use of depth charges after its periscope was spotted by a lookout on HMS Calder. This action resulted in loss of all hands (44) aboard U-774.
On 21 April 1945, the submarine U-636 was sunk in the North Atlantic west of Ireland, at position 55°50′N 10°31′W by the frigates HMS Bentinck, HMS Bazely and HMS Drury. U-636 was attacked by the use of depth charges. This action resulted in loss of all hands (42) aboard U-636.