H.M.S.Byron

Nic pic Smudger, Definitely not the Barham ( she was a battleship) this looks like an American lease-lend destroyer-escort, not sure which but I will have a look and see if I can narrow it down a bit.
I notice she is flying two ensigns and the sub a black flag, so maybe this is an end of the war surrender to brit forces of a german u-boat

Smudger, This pic is of HMS Byron, Starting out as the USS Byron
Laid down by Bethlehem Hingham, Hingham MA on 24 May 1943
Launched 14 August 1943, she was never Commissioned into the USN but handed over to Britain as lend lease 30 October 1943
Returned USN 24 November 1945, Stricken 3 January 1946 and sold for scrapping on the 25th October 1947.
The picture does indeed show a U-Boat ( U-1009) being the first U-boat to surrender to the allies at the wars end, she is seen here reporting to the Byron, guardship of the 21st escort group statione in Loch Eriboll Scotland.


Byron is a Buckley class destroyer Escort of Turbine-electric drive

Details Length 306 feet, Beam 36'09" draft 13'06"
Disp Standard - 1,400 (approx) Full load 1,750

Armament: Main :- 3-3"C50 Mk22 in three single mounts, AA :_ 4-1.1" C75 Mk2 in one quad mount , 8-20mm (varied by ship),
1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 , 4-Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2-Mk9 depth charge tracks
Machinery: 2 "D" Express boilers, General Electric steam turbines driving alternators which in turn drove electric propulsion motors drive, 12000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 24 knots Range: 4,900 nm at 12 knots Crew: 186


Quite a moment for John Tigg to witness - I hope this is of some help
Rgds
Woody

Appologies beam is 36 feet nine inches

Steve.Thanks for the valuable information in your reply to my photographs.I've managed to put my comments about the Barham under the wrong picture.First time I've posted any pictures,hopefully I will learn.If you go to my gallery you will find a picture of the Barham under full steam which I have copied from a christmas card sent to my mother by her brother, my uncle John Tigg, during the war.He was supposed to have been on board when she was sunk,he did survive.I,ve been given an e-mail address by old strawberry so hopefully I will be able to find out more.Once again thanks for your input regarding H.M.S.Byron,much appreciated.Smudger 211.

Steve.I have two photographs of the Byron and u-boat 1009, so my uncle John must have realised the significance of the occasion,whether or not he was on the ship that took the picture I couldn't say.I'd like to think so because it must have been a wonderful feeling and such a relief to know that you wouldn't be torpedoed at any minute.Regards.Smudger 211.

Thoughts to all involved - today - 11 November 2006

Amen to that.

Steve
At long last,thanks to your valuable information I have corrected the photo details under the above photograph.Cheers mate.
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Smudger 211.

Cheers Smudger, Just got back from a spot of real boating ( rag and stick kind) I'm glad a little ship got her credit, the big battleships got most of the publicity - but the little-uns seemed to most of the work!

Anyone watch coast tonite ( 23 Nov 2006) ?? - part of the show was of Londonderry and in the ports history was the surrender of the U-boats and the video was U-1009 and HMS Byron - a tribute to these little ships and their brave crews - quite a coincidence!!
Steve W