HMS Blackwood (K313) facts for kids
HMS Blackwood
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Quick facts for kids History |
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 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Blackwood |
| Namesake | Henry Blackwood |
| Builder | Boston Navy Yard, Massachusetts, United States |
| Laid down | 22 September 1942 |
| Launched | 23 November 1942 |
| Commissioned | 27 March 1943 |
| Identification | Pennant number: K313 |
| Fate |
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| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Captain-class frigate |
| Displacement | 1,140 tons |
| Length | 289.5 ft (88.2 m) |
| Beam | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Draught | 9 ft (2.7 m) |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Range | 5,000 nautical miles (9,260 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Complement | 156 |
| Sensors and processing systems |
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| Armament |
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HMS Blackwood was a special kind of warship called a Captain-class frigate. It was originally built for the U.S. Navy. But before it was finished in 1942, it was given to the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. This happened as part of a program called Lend-Lease. Blackwood played an important role during World War II.
Meet HMS Blackwood
HMS Blackwood was built in the Boston Navy Yard in Massachusetts, United States. It officially joined the Royal Navy on March 27, 1943. The ship's main jobs were to patrol for enemy submarines and to protect groups of merchant ships, known as convoys.
Hunting Submarines
Blackwood was very good at finding and sinking enemy submarines, called U-boats. On November 23, 1943, Blackwood worked with two other frigates, HMS Bazely and HMS Drury. Together, they sank a German U-boat, U-648, near the Azores islands. Just two days later, on November 25, Bazely and Blackwood teamed up again. They successfully sank another U-boat, U-600, north of Punta Delgada.
A Dangerous Mission
In June 1944, Blackwood was part of the 4th Escort Group. Its job was to patrol the waters near the English Channel. This was a very important time because the Allied invasion of Normandy was about to happen. Blackwood was helping to protect the ships heading for this huge invasion.
On June 15, 1944, a German U-boat, U-764, spotted Blackwood. The U-boat fired a special torpedo called a Gnat. This torpedo was designed to home in on the sound of a ship's propellers. The Gnat hit Blackwood, causing serious damage. Sadly, 57 crew members lost their lives.
Final Moments and Legacy
After being hit, Blackwood was taken under tow, meaning another ship was pulling it. However, the damage was too severe. The ship sank, or foundered, off Portland Bill the very next day, on June 16.
Today, the wreck of HMS Blackwood rests in about 60 meters (200 ft) of water. It is considered a protected place under a special law called the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. This means the wreck is protected and should not be disturbed, honoring those who served and died on board.
