HMS Snowflake (K211)

HMS Snowflake (K211) was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War.^[1] The ship participated in both the Battle of the Atlantic and the Arctic convoys of World War II.^[2][3][4]

HMS Snowflake seen underway during the Second World War

Construction

The ship was ordered 3 Aug 1940 and laid down at Smith's Dock Company on 19 May 1941.^[1] The ship was launched 22 Aug 1941.^[1]

Career

The ship was commissioned 2 Nov 1941.^[1]

In April and May 1942, the ship was assigned to Convoy ONS 5.^[2][3] During this convoy, the ship commenced a depth charge attack on an Asdic contact on the evening of the 28th April.^[2] The ship remained continuously in action from then on engaging U-boat contacts.^[2] During the battle, U-532 launched six torpedoes at the ship.^[5] The closest one missed Snowflake by about 20 yards (18 m).^[5] After U-532 dived, Snowflake dropped three depth charges on the initial ASDIC contact and ten depth charges when contact was regained at 2,000 yards (1.8 km).^[5] Snowflake regained ASDIC contact at 1,400 yards (1.3 km) and dropped another pattern of ten depth charges.^[5] On the morning of 6 May the ship recorded her 10th separate attack on a U-boat.^[2]

On 6 May 1943, the ship was engaged in anti-submarine warfare with HMS Sunflower in the Western Atlantic Ocean.^[6] On manoeuvring to attack German submarine U-125, the submarine which was already damaged was scuttled with Snowflake's intended attack accounting for her sinking.^[6]

On 14 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship inflicted minor damage on the submarines U-304 and U-636.^[7] On 19 May 1943, together with HMS Duncan, the ship was credited with the sinking of German submarine U-381 following a successful depth charge attack.^[4]

However, on 12 June 1943, the ship's Commander reported to the Admiralty that a lack of training in communication procedures was a factor in why more submarines had not been sunk in anti-submarine patrols.^[8]

In 1947, the ship was converted for use as a weather ship.^[9] She was broken up in Dublin in 1962.^[9]