- Yes - TT.
- Yes - Event/BP.
- Yes - Premium.
- No I would not like to see HMS Jervis in game.
Description:
Originally a passenger liner for the Commonwealth line, the HMS Jervis Bay was converted into a Armed merchant cruiser, and thus still holds most of the traits of such a vessel, with a high speed, distinctive loading equipment for the cargo holds, and a tall freeboard. She was driven by two screws powered by four geared turbines, with three double boilers and two single boilers. This drove her to a top speed of 15kt, with a displacement of 23,320 tons.
When she was requisitioned for service in the Royal Navy she was armed with seven BL-6" Mk.VII cannons, two being mounted of the fo’c’sle, two just behind the fo’c’sle’s break, two guns on the quarterdeck, and a further single gun mounted on the aft deck house’s roof. This gave the HMS Jervis Bay a main battery broadside of 4 cannons, two guns could train dead ahead, and a full astern firing arc of three guns. These were controlled by a single fire director and range finder.
This main armament was complimented with two 3" QF 12-pdr [12.cwt] AA guns on high angle open topped case-mate mounts, fitted either side of the boat deck just aft of amidships. These guns could also contribute to the broadside if in an emergency.
Her flotation was also increased by the filling of the cargo holds with empty and sealed 45 gallon barrels, which provided extra buoyancy in an emergency. This would greatly increase her survivability as she had no armour apart from her gun shields.
History:
Originally launched in 1922, and operated by the Commonwealth Line as the Commonwealth Steamer SS Jervis bay, she operated between the UK and Australia in immagration, however the Commonwealth line’s fleet was sold to the White Star Line in 1928, due to high operating costs and industrial action. Under her new ownership in 1931 she was converted into a one class ship, modifying the accommodation from twelve first class and 712 third class passengers, to 270 passengers, which could be increased to 540 via temporary cabins.
In August 1939, just before the outbreak of the second world war, the Royal Navy requisitioned her and started a conversion to refit her into a armed merchant cruiser. This was achieved by fitting seven BL-6" Mk.VII, as her main armament, and two QF 12-pdr [12.cwt] HA as her AA armament. She commissioned as HMS Jervis Bay in October 1940, accidentally ramming HMS Sabre (H18) in port on the 13th October 1939, with the conversion completing on the 15th October 1939.
Commissioning in October 1940 she was placed under South Atlantic station, escorting the convoys SL 17, and SLF 17. Transferring to the Bermuda and Canada convoy force in June 1940. It was in her time in this station which saw her sinking while escorting convoy HX 84 to Liverpool from Halifax. HX 84 comprised of 37 merchant ships, including 11 tankers, escorted solely by Jervis Bay at the time of the attack.
HX 84:
At 16.45 on the 5th of November, RMS Rangatiki the largest ship in HX 84, reported a warship approaching from the north, receiving this report, HMS Jervis Bay identified the raider as the Admiral Sheer. Due to this immense threat to the convoy, HX 84 was ordered to scatter under a smokescreen. In order for the ships in the convoy to have adequate time to disperse HMS Jervis Bay steered directly towards the raider and increased her speed, as to distract the Sheer for long enough for the merchant men to escape. Firing started at 17.30 when the Admiral Sheer fired at 17,000 yards range, with the Sheer’s third salvo hitting and subsequently knocking out the Jervis Bay’s fire director, range finder, and all primary control gear, this hit also mortally wounded Captain Fegen (VC). Through this heavy fire Jervis Bay was still advancing towards the raider, as her Vintage 6" guns were severely out ranged by the Sheers 11" main armament, so to bring the Admiral Sheer into firing range the range must be closed. HMS Jervis bay’s managed to hit and damage the Raider, crucially knocking out the Admiral Sheer’s search radar, preventing her from locating the scattered ships of HX 84. HMS Jervis bay continued firing at the raider until her sinking, 24 minutes after the Sheer opened fire, and two hours after the convoy was scattered.
The Admiral Sheer was also engaged by the merchant ship SS Beaverford, delaying the Admiral Sheer for over four hours while she was chasing the merchant, although she was eventually sunk with all hands. Her and Jervis Bay’s sacrifice gave enough time for 32 of the convoy’s 38 total ships to escape, with only 5 merchants being sunk, and Jervis Bay herself.
General Characteristics:
Length: 549ft (167m)
Beam: 68ft (21m)
Draught: 33ft (10m)
Mobility:
Speed: 15kt (28 kp/h)
Installed power: 1977 n.h.p (4x geared turbines)
Armament:
Main: 7x Bl-6" Mk.VII
AA: 2x 3" QF 12-pdr [12.cwt]
Firecontrol: 1x Fire director, 1x Rangefinder
Survivability:
Amour: none
Compliment: 254
Sources
HMS Jervis Bay - Wikipedia
Allied Warships of WWII - Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Jervis Bay - uboat.net
Remembering the Captain and crew of the Jervis Bay - Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
Convoy HX 84 - World War II - The History Herald
Convoy HX 84 - Wikipedia
Armed Merchant Cruisers - HMS Jervis Bay
https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?16039