HMS Geranium (K16)

For other ships with the same name, see HMS Geranium.

HMS Geranium (K16) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.^[1] She was later sold to Denmark and renamed Thetis.

HMS Geranium seen during the Second World War

Construction and career

Royal Navy

The ship was ordered 25 July 1939 and laid down 21 September 1939 at William Simmons & Co. in Renfrew, Scotland.^[1][2] The ship was launched on 23 April 1940 and commissioned 24 June 1940.^[1]

In August 1942, the ship participated in Operation Pedestal, a British convoy to supply Malta.^[3][4] In the operation, she was assigned to Force R along with 3 other corvettes and a tug to protect the fleet oil tankers: RFA Brown Ranger and RFA Dingledale.^[3] She was under the command of A.Foxall, RNR.^[3][5]

In 1943, the ship was operating in the Atlantic engaged in anti-submarine warfare.^[6] On 31 October, together with HMS Whitehall she sunk the U-Boat U-306 with depth charges and hedgehog attacks.^[6]

Danish Navy

The ship was sold to the Royal Danish Navy in 1945.^[7][8] They renamed her Thetis (F340) and she entered service.^[7] The ship was scrapped in 1963.^[7][8]

Honours

The ship featured on a 2012 Maltese postal stamp.^[9]