HMS Stork (L81)
HMS Stork in July 1943
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| History | |
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 United Kingdom
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| Name: | HMS Stork |
| Ordered: | 1 May 1935 |
| Builder: | William Denny & Brothers, Dumbarton |
| Laid down: | 19 June 1935 |
| Launched: | 21 April 1936 |
| Commissioned: | 10 September 1936 |
| Identification: | pennant number: L81 / U81 |
| Fate: | Broken up at Troon 1958 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Bittern-class sloop |
| Displacement: | 1,190 tons |
| Length: | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Beam: | 37 ft (11 m) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 18.75-knot (34.73 km/h) |
| Complement: | 125 |
| Armament: | |
HMS Stork (L81) was a Bittern-class sloop of the Royal Navy. She was active during the Second World War, serving in convoy escort groups, and was a successful anti-submarine warfare vessel, being credited with the destruction of four U-boats.
Stork was laid down on 19 June 1935 by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland, one of a series of general purpose vessels that could be employed as escort vessels in time of war. She was launched on 21 April 1936 and commissioned on 10 September the same year. She was completed as an unarmed survey ship, but with provision for an armament of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine warfare weapons. After commissioning Stork stationed in the Far East and operated in Malayan waters until 1939. With war in Europe looming she returned to Devonport in early 1939 for refit and for installation of her main armament and anti-aircraft guns.
At the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939 Stork was still refitting; by November she had completed trials and was assigned to convoy escort duty in the North Sea, on the east coast routes.
In April 1940 Stork took part in the Norwegian Campaign and at Narvik came under air attack, assisting later in the rescue of survivors from the transport MS Chrobry.
In September 1940 Stork was damaged by air attack on an east coast convoy and spent the next six months in dock.
Stork completed repairs and trials in June 1941 and in August, under the command of Cdr FJ "Johnnie" Walker, was assigned to lead the 36th Escort Group (36 EG), employed escorting convoys to and from Gibraltar and the South Atlantic. In December 1941, while off Gibraltar, Stork and Samphire attacked U-568, which was damaged and forced to return to base. Later that month Stork and 36EG escorted HG 76 from Gibraltar homeward, augmented by the new escort carrier Audacity and other ships. During the journey five U-boats were sunk, four by ships of 36 EG, with Stork taking part in the destruction of U-131, and U-574, which was depth-charged and rammed by Stork.
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