HMS Foylebank facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 United Kingdom |
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| Name | HMS Foylebank (MV Foylebank of Bank Line, Andrew Weir Shipping) |
| Builder | Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Launched | 12 June 1930 |
| Acquired | 1939 |
| Commissioned | 6 June 1940 |
| Fate | Sunk, 5 July 1940 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 5,582 tons |
| Propulsion | 2 oil engines, 16 cylinders, twin screw |
| Speed | 11 knots |
| Complement | 290–300 |
| Armament |
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HMS Foylebank was a special ship used during World War II. She started as a regular cargo ship called MV Foylebank in 1930. The Royal Navy took her over in 1939.
They changed her into an anti-aircraft ship. This meant she had many guns to shoot down enemy planes. She had large 4-inch guns, smaller 2-pounder guns, and powerful machine guns. The Foylebank was sent to Portland Harbour in England in June 1940. Her job was to protect the area from air attacks.
A Brave Battle
On July 4, 1940, something terrible happened. Most of the crew were eating breakfast. Suddenly, 26 German planes appeared. These were Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers. Dive bombers fly high, then dive straight down to drop bombs.
The Stukas wanted to destroy the Foylebank. They saw her as a big threat to their plans. The attack lasted only eight minutes. The Foylebank fought back bravely and shot down two enemy planes. But the ship was hit by about 22 bombs.
Smoke covered the ship, and she began to lean to one side. The Foylebank sank the next day, on July 5, 1940. Many lives were lost that day. Out of 298 crew members, 176 were killed. Many more were hurt.
One sailor, Jack Foreman Mantle, showed amazing courage. He kept firing his gun at the planes even after he was badly injured. He sadly died from his wounds. For his incredible bravery, he was given the Victoria Cross. This is the highest award for bravery in the British military.
What Happened Next?
Later, the Foylebank was pulled up from the seabed. This process is called salvage. The ship was cut into two parts. The front part was taken to Falmouth, Cornwall in 1947. It was then broken up for scrap metal.
The back part was taken to Grays, Essex in 1952 and also broken up. Some small pieces of the ship are still on the seabed. One piece was found and is now on display at the Portland Museum, Dorset.
