Name USS Liddle Identification DE-76 Namesake William Bligh Launched 31 July 1943 | Laid down 10 May 1943 Name Bligh Construction started 10 May 1943 Builder Hingham | |
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Fate Transferred to UK, returned 17 October 1945 and sold for scrap, 13 June 1946 | ||
HMS Bligh was a Captain-class frigate active during World War II. She was named after William Bligh, commander of HMS Director at the Battle of Camperdown during the French Revolutionary War, and commander of HMS Bounty.
Originally destined for the US Navy, HMS Bligh was provisionally given the name USS Liddle, a name that was later reassigned to another ship. However, the delivery was diverted to the Royal Navy before the launch. Commanding officers were Lt Cdr. RE Blyth RNVR and Lt Cdr. JW Cooper RNR.
Service history
HMS Bligh served exclusively with the 5th Escort Group taking part in operations in the Eastern Atlantic, the English Channel, and off Normandy.
On 6 May 1944, Bligh, together with HMS Bickerton, HMS Aylmer and two Swordfish aircraft (Sqdn. 825) of the British escort carrier HMS Vindex, attacked and sank the submarine U-765 at position 52°30′N 28°28′W using depth charges, resulting in the loss of 37 hands.
On 7 November 1944, an accidental firing of an anti-aircraft gun while docked at Liverpool caused both death and injury on the troopship RMS Capetown Castle.
On 27 January 1945, Bligh, along with HMS Tyler and HMS Keats attacked and destroyed the submarine U-1172 with depth charges, causing the loss of all 52 hands at position 52°24′N 05°42′W.