HMS Montclare (F85)
Encyclopedia
Montclare was a passenger ship built by the John Brown and Company on Clydebank
for the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, Montreal
. It was later purchased by the Royal Navy
during World War II
.
, on her maiden voyage
, bound for Quebec
and Montreal
, R. G. Latta commanding. She served in the European and North Atlantic passenger trade. Whilst heading for Greenock on 22 March 1931, she ran aground on Little Cumbrae
with a number of passengers aboard. She was later refloated and was repaired in Liverpool.
and converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser being commissioned
as such in October 1939. On the 2 June 1942 she was sold to the Admiralty and converted to a Destroyer Depot Ship. Now HMS Montclare she was converted again, in 1944, to a Submarine Depot Ship and based at Rothesay
with the 3rd Submarine flotilla.
In October 1954 HMS Montclare was decommissioned, being replaced as the 3rd Submarine Flotilla depot ship by HMS Adamant
and laid up on the Gare Loch
and then at Portsmouth
. In January 1958 she was sold for scrap to T.W. Ward at Inverkeithing
. Arriving there on 2 February, the scrapping commenced the next day.
Clydebank
Clydebank is a town in West Dunbartonshire, in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. Situated on the north bank of the River Clyde, Clydebank borders Dumbarton, the town with which it was combined to form West Dunbartonshire, as well as the town of Milngavie in East Dunbartonshire, and the Yoker and...
for the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company, Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
. It was later purchased by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
RMS Montclare
On 18 August 1922 Montclare left LiverpoolLiverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, on her maiden voyage
Maiden voyage
The maiden voyage of a ship, aircraft or other craft is the first journey made by the craft after shakedown. A number of traditions and superstitions are associated with it....
, bound for Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, R. G. Latta commanding. She served in the European and North Atlantic passenger trade. Whilst heading for Greenock on 22 March 1931, she ran aground on Little Cumbrae
Little Cumbrae
Little Cumbrae is an island in the Firth of Clyde, in North Ayrshire, Scotland. The island is known locally as Wee Cumbrae.-Etymology:...
with a number of passengers aboard. She was later refloated and was repaired in Liverpool.
HMS Montclare (F85)
On 28 August 1939 the Montclare was requisitioned by the AdmiraltyAdmiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
and converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser being commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
as such in October 1939. On the 2 June 1942 she was sold to the Admiralty and converted to a Destroyer Depot Ship. Now HMS Montclare she was converted again, in 1944, to a Submarine Depot Ship and based at Rothesay
Rothesay, Argyll and Bute
The town of Rothesay is the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in the council area of Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It can be reached by ferry from Wemyss Bay which offers an onward rail link to Glasgow. At the centre of the town is Rothesay Castle, a ruined castle which dates back to the 13th...
with the 3rd Submarine flotilla.
In October 1954 HMS Montclare was decommissioned, being replaced as the 3rd Submarine Flotilla depot ship by HMS Adamant
HMS Adamant (1940)
HMS Adamant was a World War II submarine depot ship.Completed in 1942, she served in the Eastern Fleet with the 4th Submarine Flotilla from April 1943 until April 1945 and then moved with her flotilla to Fremantle, Australia...
and laid up on the Gare Loch
Gare Loch
The Gare Loch or Gareloch is a sea loch in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.-Geography:A sea loch aligned north-south, Gare Loch is 10 kilometres long with an average width of 1.5 kilometres. At its southern end it opens into the Firth of Clyde through the Rhu narrows...
and then at Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
. In January 1958 she was sold for scrap to T.W. Ward at Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing
Inverkeithing is a town and a royal burgh in Fife, Scotland, located on the Firth of Forth. According to population estimates , the town has a population of 5,265. The port town was given burgh status by King David I of Scotland in the 12th century and is situated about 9 miles north from...
. Arriving there on 2 February, the scrapping commenced the next day.