HMAS Nestor

[herakles]

She was an N-class destroyer of the Royal Australian Navy laid down by the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited, at Govan in Scotland on 26 July 1939, launched on 9 July 1940 and commissioned on 12 February 1941.

She is the only RAN ship never to visit Australia.

She was manned by Australians and commissioned in the Royal Australian Navy but remained the property of the British Government. She was one of eight ordered, five (NAPIER, NESTOR, NEPAL, NIZAM and NORMAN) were transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, two to the Royal Netherlands Navy and one to the Polish Navy.

Type 'N' Class Destroyer
Displacement 1,760 tons (standard), 2,550 (full load)
Length 356 feet 6 inches (overall), 348 feet (waterline)
Beam 35 feet 8 inches
Draught 16 feet 4 inches (maximum)
Builder Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Glasgow
Machinery 2 Parsons geared turbines, 2 shafts
Horsepower 40,000
Speed 36 knots
Armament 6 x 4.7-inch guns
1 x 4-inch gun
1 x 2-pounder 4 barrel Pom Pom
4 x 20mm Oerlikons
10 x 21-inch torpedo tubes (2 pentad mounts)
Depth charges
Complement 249 (at time of loss)

Initially she was based at Scapa Flow with the Home Fleet and performed escort duties in the Atlantic. She was part of the force that hunted the Bismark though not present at the battle as she was refuelling in Iceland at the time.

In July 1941 she was part of the Malta convoys before going to the South Atlantic on escort duties. Escort duties were resumed in December 1941 after a refit. On the 15th, off Cape St. Vincent, she encountered and attacked the German submarine U-127. She destroyed the sub with depth charges. This was the first kill of a sub by any RAN warship in WW2.

After further escort duties with the Malta convoys, she was sent to Malaya ferrying aircraft with HMS Indomitable. After that, she joined the Eastern Fleet, based at Trincomalee.

June 1942 saw her back in the Mediterranean with the 7th Destroyer Flotilla for Operation Vigorous, the passage of an east to west Malta convoy. The total covering force comprised eight cruisers and twenty-six destroyers supported by corvettes and nine submarines.

On 15th June off the south-west corner of Crete, she was attacked by German or Italian planes and received a direct hit that took out her boiler rooms. She was taken in tow by HMS Javelin. Next morning she started to sink and permission was granted to scuttle her. Javelin did this with depth charges after the crew had been transferred.

[astraltrader]

Interesting post, Herk. They were fine destroyers indeed. Here is a photograph of one of the others HMS Nepal.

[Maritime Michael Ian]

A prolific Australian maritime author in the 1960s was J.E. MacDonald whose books were all based upon his experiences aboard one of the 'N' class. I believe he was a Gunnery Officer on HMAS Nizam. He certainly spent some time on the 'Tobruk Run' as he called it. Nice looking ships though.

Ian

[p189362]

My father served on HMS Javelin in the Med and had vivid memories of HMAS Nestor being damaged by enemy action, being taken under tow by Javelin and eventually sinking her by depth charge having first taken off her crew. He kept in touch with some of Nestors crew right up to his death in 1991. The bond was a very close bond between the two ships crews. The photo of Nestor 'dying' above would have been taken from Javelin. I have a photo of Nestor under tow and another of her being depth charged if anyone is interested. The quality is not great but interesting nevertheless.

[herakles]

I think you should post the photos. We have a senior member (a wise old man), who can do wonders with the not so good photos.

[romft1945]

very interesting to read and P stick the photos up mate they are all welcome and no doubt someone will tell you if they are not,but as far as Iam concerned they are very welcome,
ROM

[romft1945]

Here you go two more but Norman has eluded me,
Rom

1 Napier
2 Nizam

[herakles]

The class is certainly a fine looking lot! Nice swept back lines.

[p189362]

Apologies for the delay in replying to this post. The photos of HMS Nestor are on my site www.hms-javelin.co.uk in the gallery under the 'Robert Nicklin Collection'

[michelle14700]

Hello,
My father served on the Nestor and one of the few things he talked about was the scuttling of this ship in the Med sea and being taken on board the Javelin,

[TACKLINE]

My elder brother was an HSD aboard HMS Hasty,another destroyer in convoy 'Vigorous'.She was torpedoed by an E-boat,but did'nt sink straight away,but had to be sunk by our own ships later on,for the same reason as Nestor. Sadly, my brother was a casualty.

[Bear]

I'm researching Nestor at present and have come across a mutiny I knew nothing about. When she was first commissioned in Glasgow, the crew were taken there by train. They were immediately turned to to store ship, with a heavy emphasis on stocking the wardroom with its stores, which no doubt included copious amounts of gin. The sailors' personal gear and hammocks were left in an open railway truck and got saturated. The crew knocked off after midnight and were unhappy chappies, as you would be.
According to something written by the anti-submarine officer, a young subby, there were other examples of poor leadership and the ship was an unhappy one. This came to a head 3 months after commissioning, when the ship was based in Scapa Flow and led to her captain and 1st lieutenant being court-martialled.
The officers threw a morning wardroom party--in wartime! The ship was ordered to sea in the dog watches and the crew, to a man, refused duty, staying below in the mess decks when ordered to close up to take the ship to sea. Mutiny by gum--hang the blighters!
The Admiral in charge of Destroyers in Scapa Flow became aware of what was going on, the senior officers on board were unfit to take the ship to sea, and immediately suspended them from duty.
It doesn't seem to have affected the captain's career in the short term anyway as he was back in command of a RN destroyer later in 1942 and in 1943 commanded HMAS Quiberon.
I can find no details about the courts-martial of the two RAN officers and wonder if anyone has a lead?
There is a memoir at the AWM written by Richard G Fennessy DSC, who served with the Royal Australian Navy in HMAS Nestor (1941-1942). He was a schoolmaster lieutenant at the time and went on to be a captain in that capacity. I've asked the AWM if I can view his memoir, but as they usually take a while getting back, I wonder if anyone out there has access to it?
I keep learning how much I have to learn about the history of my former service.

[spruso]

I'm researching Nestor at present and have come across a mutiny I knew nothing about. When she was first commissioned in Glasgow, the crew were taken there by train. They were immediately turned to to store ship, with a heavy emphasis on stocking the wardroom with its stores, which no doubt included copious amounts of gin. The sailors' personal gear and hammocks were left in an open railway truck and got saturated. The crew knocked off after midnight and were unhappy chappies, as you would be.
According to something written by the anti-submarine officer, a young subby, there were other examples of poor leadership and the ship was an unhappy one. This came to a head 3 months after commissioning, when the ship was based in Scapa Flow and led to her captain and 1st lieutenant being court-martialled.
The officers threw a morning wardroom party--in wartime! The ship was ordered to sea in the dog watches and the crew, to a man, refused duty, staying below in the mess decks when ordered to close up to take the ship to sea. Mutiny by gum--hang the blighters!
The Admiral in charge of Destroyers in Scapa Flow became aware of what was going on, the senior officers on board were unfit to take the ship to sea, and immediately suspended them from duty.
It doesn't seem to have affected the captain's career in the short term anyway as he was back in command of a RN destroyer later in 1942 and in 1943 commanded HMAS Quiberon.
I can find no details about the courts-martial of the two RAN officers and wonder if anyone has a lead?
There is a memoir at the AWM written by Richard G Fennessy DSC, who served with the Royal Australian Navy in HMAS Nestor (1941-1942). He was a schoolmaster lieutenant at the time and went on to be a captain in that capacity. I've asked the AWM if I can view his memoir, but as they usually take a while getting back, I wonder if anyone out there has access to it?
I keep learning how much I have to learn about the history of my former service.

The Australian National Archives holds record cards for RAN WW2 personnel and they can be read online. If you enter the persons name, as well as their Service card, it should bring up any file dealing with a court martial. Whether the file is "open" or still closed will be entered on the page.

The Search Page is:
http://www.naa.gov.au/collection/recordsearch/index.aspx

Cheers
Bruce

[spruso]

I'm researching Nestor at present and have come across a mutiny I knew nothing about. When she was first commissioned in Glasgow, the crew were taken there by train. They were immediately turned to to store ship, with a heavy emphasis on stocking the wardroom with its stores, which no doubt included copious amounts of gin. The sailors' personal gear and hammocks were left in an open railway truck and got saturated. The crew knocked off after midnight and were unhappy chappies, as you would be.
According to something written by the anti-submarine officer, a young subby, there were other examples of poor leadership and the ship was an unhappy one. This came to a head 3 months after commissioning, when the ship was based in Scapa Flow and led to her captain and 1st lieutenant being court-martialled.
The officers threw a morning wardroom party--in wartime! The ship was ordered to sea in the dog watches and the crew, to a man, refused duty, staying below in the mess decks when ordered to close up to take the ship to sea. Mutiny by gum--hang the blighters!
The Admiral in charge of Destroyers in Scapa Flow became aware of what was going on, the senior officers on board were unfit to take the ship to sea, and immediately suspended them from duty.
It doesn't seem to have affected the captain's career in the short term anyway as he was back in command of a RN destroyer later in 1942 and in 1943 commanded HMAS Quiberon.
I can find no details about the courts-martial of the two RAN officers and wonder if anyone has a lead?
There is a memoir at the AWM written by Richard G Fennessy DSC, who served with the Royal Australian Navy in HMAS Nestor (1941-1942). He was a schoolmaster lieutenant at the time and went on to be a captain in that capacity. I've asked the AWM if I can view his memoir, but as they usually take a while getting back, I wonder if anyone out there has access to it?
I keep learning how much I have to learn about the history of my former service.

Is this one of the men involved?
Cheers
Bruce

[Bear]

Thanks for that, Spruso. I have spent considerable time messing about on the AWM web site, but still can't find a way in. I have the number of the Fessnesy file, but draw a blank.
Not sure what you mean by 'service card'? Do you mean service number?
Hodgson was no doubt the Engineering officer of Nestor when she commissioned. There is no mention of his name in the book or any mention that a third officer was court-martialled.
In the body of the book there is no mention of what happened in Scapa Flow, it is not until the last page that sub-lieutenant Colclough, the A/S officer, has a short piece about these events

[spruso]

The Service Card records all details of sailors service. eg. Ships served in, promotions, etc.

From what I can see it looks like the Commander of NESTOR at the time was George Scott STEWART. I have attached part of his ten page Service Card
where he was Court Martialed for drunkenness on NESTOR

It states - " Court Martial in HMS Tyne 2 June 1941 and sentenced to forfeit one years seniority and dismissed from HMS TYNE and to be severely reprimanded." (File 559/208/1283)

A file also exists in the Australian National Archives on the CM but is not opened. Looks like you can apply to see it though.

File Title
[STEWART George Scott (Commander) : Service Number - N/A : Unit - HMS Tyne : Date of Court Martial - 2 June 1941]
Series number
A471 Control symbol
24239 Contents date range
1942 - 1942

Access status
Not yet examined Location
Canberra
Barcode
7821123

Cheers
Bruce

[Bear]

Thank you again, Spruso. Kind of you to take the trouble. I've had a reply from the AWM and have found the way to order photocopies of what I need. Personal memoirs are not available by email attachment.
It is interesting that Stewart was convicted and yet went on to command other ships. I guess it reflects the lack of good destroyer captains at the time. Stewart obviously had a few problems, but was a good ship handler and experienced destroyer commander from what little I've been able to find out.
I guess after that experience he probably acted differently in his future commands.

[Whitto1]

Just back from a post Christmas brew with Capt J P Stevenson RAN RTD who was on Nestor at the time of her scuttling. Stevo had great pleasure in showing me the painting which hung in the Wardroom and which he returned to rescue prior to stepping on the Javelin.
Didnt even get his feet wet and I always thought you had to get wet for Survivors Leave.
He's 87 and still very spritley.

:)

[Bear]

Just back from a post Christmas brew with Capt J P Stevenson RAN RTD who was on Nestor at the time of her scuttling.:)

That post brought back some memories. I was an ABUC in HMAS Vendetta 63-65 and JP was skipper for much of that time. He was by far the best captain I served with. Apart from being a brilliant seaman and superb tactician, he was a good bloke. The ship was a happy one mainly because of the man at the top. He was not an easy touch, but tempered discipline with common sense and a sense of humour--all things vital in a captain for a happy ship.
I was in his action ACR (later SCR) and torpedo firing crews. Captain Stevenson was, and I imagine still is, an officer and gentleman in the best tradition of those terms. This coming from a former naval rating that didn't always like the naval officers he served with. When he left the ship in Singapore for the last time the ship's company manned the guard rails spontaneously and cheered him as he went over the gangway and was driven away. I often thought afterwards that he probably thought this had been an organised demonstration as most were, but it was not so. I was simply the feeling the crew had for an unusually good captain.
What happened to JP over the Melbourne--Evans affair was disgraceful and left a bitter taste for all who served with him. It was a factor (not the only one) in my leaving the service.
I knew he served in Canberra (where he was also sunk, most likely with dry feet) and also Shropshire during WWII, but didn't know he was in Nestor. He must have been a subby or perhaps a midshipman in that ship.
If he has an email or snail mail address you can send to me by private message,I would very much like to get in touch.

[Whitto1]

OK Bear, We of the HMAS Melbourne Assoc had our 40th reunion of the accident attended by some of the survivors, and was well attended. Even the US Consul travelled from Canberra.
Stevo and Jo were there with Tony Horton and with the "boys of 69" had a great time. He is still highly regarded and treated as a "white man" as all who served with him would attest.

VZ to all for 2010

[emason]

Another photo of HMAS Nestor, showing its lines off beautifully.

87305

[Rob Stuart]

Very nice photo. Do you know when it was taken?


Rob

[culverin]

They were fine destroyers indeed, as stated in post 2.

They were however repeats of the J and K classes, which were the first classes of longitudinal constructed destroyers to serve in the RN, and that basic design was then used for all the war emergency classes which were to follow. Not the L and M classes though.

They were not the first longitudinal destroyer though, that honour goes to HMS Ardent, designed and built as an Acasta class special, or K class, (good coincidence) by Denny being launched on 8 Sept 1913. She was sunk at Jutland on 1 June 1916.

The RAN manned those 5 N class as stated, and a splendid job they with their crews did.