View source for HMS Port Napier

{{Short description|British World War II auxiliary minesweeper that caught fire and exploded}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image= HMS Port Napier wreck 17.jpg
|Ship caption= ''Port Napier''{{'}}s wreck in [[Loch Alsh]] in 2010
}} 
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header= 
|Ship country= [[United Kingdom]]
|Ship flag= {{Shipboxflag|United Kingdom|naval}}
|Ship name= ''Port Napier''
|Ship namesake= [[Napier Port]]
|Ship owner= [[Port Line]]
|Ship operator= [[Royal Navy]]
|Ship registry= [[Port of London|London]]
|Ship route= 
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson]], [[Wallsend]] 
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 1569
|Ship laid down= 
|Ship launched= 23 April 1940
|Ship completed= June 1940
|Ship acquired= 
|Ship commissioned= 12 June 1940
|Ship decommissioned= 
|Ship honours=
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship in service= 
|Ship out of service= 
|Ship identification= *UK [[official number]] 167578
*[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] GLSK
*{{ICS|Golf}}{{ICS|Lima}}{{ICS|Sierra}}{{ICS|Kilo}}
*[[pennant number]] M32
|Ship fate= Fire & explosion, November 1940
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship class= 
|Ship type= Auxiliary [[minelayer]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|9847}}, {{NRT|5906}}
|Ship displacement= 
|Ship length= {{cvt|503.3|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|68.2|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= 
|Ship depth= {{cvt|29.8|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 
|Ship power= 7,500 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|bhp]]
|Ship propulsion= *2 × [[Propeller|screws]]
*2 × [[two-stroke diesel engine]]s
|Ship speed= {{convert|16|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship capacity= 
|Ship crew= 
|Ship armament= * 2 × [[QF 4-inch naval gun Mk V|4-inch guns]]
* 2 × [[QF 2-pounder naval gun|2-pounder guns]] 
* 4 × [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]s
* 600 × [[Naval mine|mines]]
|Ship sensors= *wireless [[direction finding]]
*[[echo sounding]] device
*[[gyrocompass]]
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]s: ''Port Jackson'', ''Port Phillip'', ''Port Victor''
}}
|}

'''HMS ''Port Napier''''' was a British [[motor ship]] that was designed and laid down as a civilian [[cargo ship]] but completed in 1940 as an auxiliary [[minelayer]] for the [[Royal Navy]]. An [[engine room]] fire caused an explosion that destroyed her in November 1940. Her remains in [[Loch Alsh]] in Scotland are now a recreational [[wreck diving]] site.

She was the third of four ships called ''Port Napier'' to be owned by [[Port Line]]. She was named after [[Napier Port]] on the [[North Island]] of [[New Zealand]].

==Four sister ships==
Between 1937 and 1942 [[Swan Hunter|Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson]]'s [[Wallsend]] shipyard built four twin-[[Propeller|screw]] motor ships for Port Line. The first was the [[Reefer ship|refrigerated cargo ship]] ''Port Jackson'', launched in November 1936 and completed in January 1937.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/P-Ships/portjackson1937.html |title=Port Jackson |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=12 May 2023}}</ref> Her [[sister ship]]s ''Port Napier'', ''Port Phillip'' and ''Port Victor'' were launched in 1940, 1941 and 1942 respectively. Their dimensions and appearance were similar to that of ''Port Jackson'', but their engines were five-cylinder instead of four-cylinder.<ref name=TBS>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/P-Ships/portnapier1940.html |title=Port Napier |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=12 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/P-Ships/portphillip1942.html |title=Port Phillip |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=12 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tynebuiltships.co.uk/P-Ships/portvictor1942.html |title=Port Victor |work=Tyne Built Ships |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=12 May 2023}}</ref>

''Port Napier'' was built as yard number 1569. She was launched on 23 April 1940 and completed that June. Her registered length was {{cvt|503.3|ft|abbr=on}}, her beam was {{cvt|68.2|ft|abbr=on}} and her depth was {{cvt|29.8|ft|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|9847}} and {{NRT|5906}}.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1940|loc=P}}

She had a pair of five-cylinder, single-acting, [[two-stroke diesel engine]]s,{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1940|loc=P}} built by [[William Doxford & Sons]] of [[Sunderland]],<ref name=TBS/> which between them developed a total of 7,500 [[Horsepower#Brake horsepower|bhp]]<ref name=Helgason>{{cite web |url= http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/7302.html |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=HMS Port Napier (M 32) |work=uboat.net |access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref> and gave her a speed of {{convert|16|kn|km/h|0}}.<ref name=Mason>{{cite web |url= http://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Ops-Minelaying.htm |last=Mason |first=Geoffrey |title=Royal Navy minelaying operations, Part 1 of 2 |work=World War 2 at Sea |publisher=Naval-History.net |date=5 June 2011 |access-date=12 May 2023}}</ref>

Port Line [[Ship registration|registered]] ''Port Napier'' at [[Port of London|London]]. Her UK [[official number]] was 167578 and her [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless telegraph]] [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was GLSK.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1940|loc=P}} But she never entered merchant service. The [[Admiralty (United Kingdom)|Admiralty]] requisitioned her, and had her completed as an auxiliary minelayer.

==Auxiliary minelayer==
''Port Napier''{{'}}s holds were adapted to carry 600 [[Naval mine|mines]],<ref name=Mason/> and chutes were installed in her stern to lay them. A pair of [[narrow-gauge railway]]s was laid inside the ship, one on each side, to carry each mines on a trolley from her holds to her stern chutes.<ref name=Liddiard>{{cite magazine |url= http://www.dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk/documents/WT%20Port%20Napier.pdf |last=Liddiard |first=John |title=Port Napier Wreck Tour |magazine=Diver |date=February 2000 |pages=42–44 |access-date=10 July 2007 |archive-date=1 August 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070801125119/http://www.dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk/documents/WT%20Port%20Napier.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> She was armed with  two [[QF 4-inch naval gun Mk V]]s, two [[QF 2-pounder naval gun]]s and four [[Oerlikon 20 mm cannon]]s,<ref name=Helgason/> and protected with {{convert|2|in|mm|0|adj=on}} armour plate.<ref name=Mitchell>{{cite web |url= http://www.submerged.co.uk/port-napier.php |last=Mitchell |first=Peter |title=H.M.S. Port Napier |work=Submerged |date=4 July 2007 |access-date=27 October 2012}}</ref>

On 12 June 1940 the ship was commissioned as HMS ''Port Napier'', with the [[pennant number]] M32. By mid-August she had joined the 1st Minelaying Squadron at [[Kyle of Lochalsh]] (Port ZA), along with four other auxiliary minesweepers, and an escort of Royal Navy [[destroyer]]s.<ref name=Helgason/>

On 17 August 1940 the Squadron including ''Port Napier'' left Kyle of Lochalsh on minelaying mission SN 12. They returned on 19 August. On 11 September 1940 the Squadron including ''Port Napier'' left Kyle of Lochalsh on minelaying mission SN 41. They returned on 12 September.<ref name=Helgason/> It was claimed that ''Port Napier'' "had proved to be an excellent minelayer".<ref name=Mason/>

==Loss==
In November 1940 the Squadron prepared at Kyle of Lochalsh for minelaying mission SN 11.<ref name=Mason/> ''Port Napier'' loaded 600 mines. Most of the mines had their detonator inserted, as it was easier to do this in port than at sea.<ref name=Mitchell/>

On the evening of 26 November a gale blew, causing ''Port Napier'' to drag her anchor. Her anchor chain fouled that of a [[Collier (ship)|collier]], and the two ships drifted until they ran aground on the shore of the [[Isle of Skye]]. Neither ship was damaged.{{sfn|Haws|1991|p=68}}

On 27 November ''Port Napier'' was [[Bunkering|de-bunkered]] to lighten and re-float her. As de-bunkering was being completed, a fire was reported in her engine room. For safety, all ships, including the collier, left port, and local residents were evacuated.{{sfn|Haws|1991|p=68}} Most of ''Port Napier''{{'}}s crew abandoned ship, but her mining party remained and started removing detonators from her mines. After about 20 minutes her lower mine deck became too hot, so they abandoned ship.<ref name=Mitchell/>

[[File:Port Napier bridge blown onto the beach^ - geograph.org.uk - 204144.jpg|thumb|Parts of ''Port Napier''{{'}}s [[superstructure]] on a beach on the [[Isle of Skye]]]]
''Port Napier'' did not explode, so the mining party returned. By now the heat was buckling the deck above her engine room, where the fire had started. They started jettisoning mines into the water via her stern chutes. The fire worsened, so the mining party abandoned ship a second time. Almost immediately after they had done so, there were two explosions. The first blew débris {{convert|200|ft}} into the air. Large parts of her [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] [[superstructure]] landed on the shore of the Isle of Skye, {{convert|1/4|mi|m}} away. The second created a tall column of smoke and flame.<ref name=Mitchell/> ''Port Napier'' rolled onto her starboard side, a [[total loss]]. There were no fatalities.{{sfn|Haws|1991|p=68}}

In 1944 some of her plates were salvaged for re-use.{{sfn|Haws|1991|p=68}} In 1950 the Royal Navy began to remove her mines and the 6,000 rounds of ammunition for her guns.<ref name=Mackay>{{cite web |url= http://www.dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk/documents/hms-port-napier.pdf |last=MacKay |first=Gordon |title=The Wreck of the Port Napier |publisher=Dive and Sea the Hebrides |access-date=10 July 2007 |archive-date=1 August 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070801125409/http://www.dive-and-sea-the-hebrides.co.uk/documents/hms-port-napier.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref> The rest of the wreck remains, with her port side visible at low tide.{{sfn|Haws|1991|p=68}}

==The wreck today==
[[File:Wreck of the HMS Port Napier in Loch Alsh - geograph.org.uk - 970479.jpg|thumb|''Port Napier''{{'}}s wreck in 2008]]
The remains of ''Port Napier''{{'}}s hull are on the south side of Loch Alsh at position {{coord|57|15|57.24|N|5|41|15.03|W|display=inline,title}}. Parts of her superstructure are still on the beach nearby, but the main part of her wreck is in the water, where it attracts [[Recreational diving|recreational divers]]. [[Penetration diving]] is facilitated by large parts of her port side being missing.<ref name=Liddiard/>

Her bow and the timber of her decking are fairly intact. Her four-inch guns were mounted aft of her [[forecastle]], and at least one of them is still visible to divers.<ref name=Mitchell/> Trolleys for transporting the mines are scattered on the seabed.<ref name=Liddiard/> [[Metridium|plumose anemones]] live on parts of the deck, including the timber decking and steel cables.<ref name=Liddiard/><ref name=Mitchell/> [[Scallop]]s also inhabit the wreck.<ref name=Mitchell/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Haws |first=Duncan |year=1991 |title=Port Line with Corry, Royden, Tyser and Milburn |series=Merchant Fleets |volume=21 |place=Hereford |publisher=Travel Creatours Ltd Publications |isbn=0-946378-18-5}}
*{{cite book |year=1940 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons, Trawlers, Tugs, Dredgers, etc. |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |via=[[Southampton City Council]] |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a1102.pdf |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1940}} }}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline|HMS Port Napier (ship, 1940)}}

{{WWII British ships}}
{{November 1940 shipwrecks}}
{{Recreational dive sites|wresit}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Port Napier}}
[[Category:1940 fires]]
[[Category:1940 ships]]
[[Category:1940 in Scotland]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in November 1940]]
[[Category:Minelayers of the Royal Navy]]
[[Category:Ships built by Swan Hunter]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by non-combat internal explosions]]
[[Category:World War II minelayers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Wreck diving sites in Scotland]]