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HMS Sheffield 1936-1967 World Naval Ships Forums Archive

HMS Sheffield 1936-1967

Posts 1 to 50

Somebody out there may be interested in this: On ebay there is a photograph up for auction of the crew of HMS Sheffield taken 11-30 am April 1947 in Trinidad. I have captured this cropped detail as a sample for anyone who may be interested. ( I would have been only just over 10 when it was taken) See next post

The old grey matter at fault again ! here are the pictures.
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Dear Batstiger, Brought back memories there then. When I was under training in the Marines in 1962 we used to spend 2 weeks on board Sheffield for seamanship training. She was semi mothballed in Portsmouth at the end of a pontoon and we had to sleep in hammocks etc in an old messdeck. There was limited power on board for the neccessaries and we were shown various parts of ship for interest. Armoured hatches over the engine rooms which could only be raised by block and tackle. If you knew where to look you could still see shrapnel and splinter damage on her superstructure painted over. She was a cold empty hulk and awaiting the scrap man. Many years later when I worked as a civil engineer with Sir Alfred McAlpine I was working on the new Stafford Crown Court Complex and got talking one day with one of the Clerk of works who was in charge of the Mechanical and Electrical side of things. He was wearing a tie which I asked about and it turned out he had been on the Sheffield during the war as a H/O rating and he never failed to say how happy the ship had been and what an efficient ship she was. She had the nick name `The Shiney Sheff` Seeing your picture lets us know what she was really all about when in business.!

Nice story Pat, it's nice to have the memories come flooding back. Bob.

But I'll bet the crew were not very happy the day that aircraft from the Ark Royal attacked them, having mistaken the SHEFFIELD for the BISMARK. Probably very busy in the laundry following that.

having been a part of the Bismarck pursuit Sheffield was also there for the Battle of North Cape in the pursuit of Bismarck's sister ship Scharnhorst where she was damaged by splinters from 11" shells. A busy ship! tim

Being a Barnsley lad originally I always had an Interest in the ships affiliated with the towns and city's around Yorkshire. The 'shiney Sheff' being one of them. Ark Royal was affiliated with Leeds, and I was fortunate enough to be part of the ships company that was awarded the freedom of the city in the presence of the Queen Mother in 1973. Here's a photo of the Sheffield. Alan
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[QUOTE=tim lewin;16551]having been a part of the Bismarck pursuit Sheffield was also there for the Battle of North Cape in the pursuit of Bismarck's sister ship Scharnhorst where she was damaged by splinters from 11" shells. A busy ship! tim[/QUOTE] Tim!!! Go wash your mouth out with soap:eek: Regards...John:)

just checking youre paying attention; so Bismarck was the sister ship to Tirpitz and Scharnhorst to Gneisenau....its all relative, in a manner of speaking! but the point being that Sheffield was there for both major battles, and a lot more in between. How may other cruisers were in so many actions and survived the war?

[QUOTE=alanbenn;16555]Being a Barnsley lad originally I always had an Interest in the ships affiliated with the towns and city's around Yorkshire. The 'shiney Sheff' being one of them. Ark Royal was affiliated with Leeds, and I was fortunate enough to be part of the ships company that was awarded the freedom of the city in the presence of the Queen Mother in 1973. Here's a photo of the Sheffield. Alan[/QUOTE] hello there... i have been looking for info on hms sheffield for a while now and dont seem to be gettin anywere. my grandad was on it wen they sunk the bismark!. is there a certain website or something i could possibly look at?? do they have a crew list for that time aswell?? no worries if u dont know! thought id ask. ta

Heres a colour picture of the shiny Sheff in Malta in 1958
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I run a local church graveyard website. There are 82 CWGC memorials in it. I have added each memorial to my site with photographs and what details I can find about each of the 'fallen' servicemen. There are a few Royal Navy, One is after WW2. He was a cook on the 'Sheffield' Here is the entry:- [B]Kane. C/MX110041 Leading Cook Hugh Kane (23) Royal Navy. H.M.S. Sheffield. dod: 23/7/1947. [/B] I would be grateful if anyone can tell me if the ship was in some 'action' on this date and where etc. [U]As a matter of interest here are the others. Any information you can help me with would be gratefully received. [/U] [B]HMS Comorin (1947) H.M.S. Imperieuse. (1947) HMS Vernon (1918) HMS Lookout (Post war 1945) HMS Gallant (1945)[/B]

Hartman Welcome to the forum This passage from the naval-history.net site indicates that it is unlikely 'Sheffield' was involved in an action at the time of Mr Kane's death. He more probably died through illness or an accident. 'HMS SHEFFIELD completed her UK refit work in July 1946 and worked-up in the Mediterranean. Until 1954 most of her service was as Flagship on the America and West Indies Station with periods in Home waters including attendance at the Coronation Review. During General Service commissions between 1954 and 1958 the ship was deployed in Home waters and in the Mediterranean. Reduced to Reserve at Portsmouth in 1959 she became Flagship of the Reserve Fleet at Portsmouth in place of HMS VANGUARD. Placed on the Disposal List in 1964 she was towed to Rosyth to be de-equipped in 1967 and on completion taken in tow to Faslane on 18th September that year for demolition by Shipbreaking Industries. The second ship to carry this name was a Type 42 Destroyer which was sunk in air attacks during the operations against Argentina in April 1982'. Hope this helps and good luck with your research. Regards....John

Many thanks John, I did suspect that, because of the date (and some of the others) that the ship/s may not have been engaged in any battle/conflict. I know I will have to consult the local archives and newspapers eventually but at the moment I am committed to researching other areas of local history. You may check out the CWGC memorials here: [B][url]http://stmaryschurchheworth.com/[/url][/B] My thanks again

Hartman, welcome to the forum, I have just looked at your wonderful website...the church is one I pass several times a week when at work and I was unaware of the military graves there.. If I can help in anyway with photo's of ships or ships badges for any of the Royal navy personnel on the site please send me a 'Private message' Regards Alan Ambulance crew...Gateshead station

Hartman, you must have put a lot of time and effort into the site. Just spent quite a while browsing around it. I pass the church regularly and was unaware of its history. Thanks again. Jim

[B][SIZE="4"]Thank you both for your comments. I appreciate them.[/SIZE][/B]

Born in Sheffield, served on Shiney Sheff 1952-55, America/West Indies,marched thro town fixed bayonets for Coronation, based in Bermuda and witnessed first Sub underwater Atlantic crossing, HM/S Andrew, celebrated in fleet canteen, and finally releived by HMS Superb, Ken Platt, ex boy bugler.

The shiney Sheff was known as that because the ships door & hatch clips were made of stainless steel donated by the city of Sheffield. The Sheffield's ships bell is in Sheffield Cathedral.

Here's a couple of photos I found going through Dad's papers Winter & Summer Cruises, all right for some and I know Dad enjoyed them. Hope it brings back some good memories for you Shiny Sheff people. Peter
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Peter - I dont know if you are interested but we have a superb thread already in existence about World cruises with the Royal Navy which was started by one of our senior members Cylla and features an excellent collection of postcards/cards similar to the ones you have shown of Sheffield, kindly posted by another of the forums stalwarts SRG1970. It is well worth a look. The appropriate link is shown below. [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2455&highlight=TOUR[/URL]

[QUOTE=astraltrader;43367]Peter - I dont know if you are interested but we have a superb thread already in existence about World cruises with the Royal Navy which was started by one of our senior members Cylla and features an excellent collection of postcards/cards similar to the ones you have shown of Sheffield, kindly posted by another of the forums stalwarts SRG1970. It is well worth a look. The appropriate link is shown below. [URL]http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2455&highlight=TOUR[/URL][/QUOTE] Thank you for drawing my attention to the link. There are so many threads that I suppose I'm liable to miss something already in being. Regards Peter

here is a well known picture, even more so now, taken aboard Sheffield on the Kola Run, the wave is almost bridge-height (approx 60 feet), and its real! try that in an armed trawler of 400 tonnes. The other two are Sheffield's Walrus. tim
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Undated photo of Sheffield showing why she deserved her nickname of the "Shiny Sheff". Regards Gerry
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thanks for the topic, my father was on board HMS Sheffield during WW2 as an Artificer, he enjoyed serving on that ship James

I was reading "To Sail No More" and one of the captions stated that when HMS Sheffield was finally listed for scrapping she was destored and all useful equipement was removed. Nothing unusual there,but then it stated that her 6 inch guns were removed as well. Now this was 1967 apart from HMS Belfast and ? HMS Gambia all her sisters and close sisters had gone by now so what would the RN want with 9 x 6 inch gun barrels? The only thing I can think of is that there were several ex RN cruisers in foriegn service who may have needed spares! Matt

Hi Matt, Tiger, Blake and Lion carried 6" throughout their lives - maybe that's the reason they were retained. No doubt our members of the Gunnery world can elaborate. Dave H

Hi Dave, I thought about HMS Tiger and her sisters but Im pretty sure that they had a completely different type of barrel (water-cooled?) and different ammunition. Matt

[QUOTE=VirtualF;90342]........ The only thing I can think of is that there were several ex RN cruisers in foriegn service who may have needed spares! Matt[/QUOTE] This seems to be a reasonable assumption. NEWFOUNDLAND and CEYLON were sold to Peru and were still afloat until the end of the 70s. NIGERIA served in the Indian Navy until the 80s and the ACHILLES (same gun, different mounting) until the late 70s. .

For resale abroad is a good assumption. I believe the boilers were removed from Leviathan for the same reason. The query set me thinking as to what happened to the mountain of spare gear that was kept at Royal Naval Spare Parts Distribution Centre at Eaglescliffe, Co Durham, when that was shut down? I suppose with such a small fleet now, they just order spares form Argos or Screwfix, for next day delivery :D

[QUOTE=alanbenn;16555]Being a Barnsley lad originally I always had an Interest in the ships affiliated with the towns and city's around Yorkshire. The 'shiney Sheff' being one of them. Ark Royal was affiliated with Leeds, and I was fortunate enough to be part of the ships company that was awarded the freedom of the city in the presence of the Queen Mother in 1973. Here's a photo of the Sheffield. Alan[/QUOTE] hi Alan, just seen the photo of sheffield with badge, unfortunately it is the badge for the later sheffield, i was onboard 1950/52, very new o/d, STAN

Stan, if you drop by the ships badges thread and look back through the posts you'll also find the cruiser version of the badge. If you can't find one send me a private message with your email address and I'll send a copy of it to you. Regards Alan

[QUOTE=alanbenn;101392]Stan, if you drop by the ships badges thread and look back through the posts you'll also find the cruiser version of the badge. If you can't find one send me a private message with your email address and I'll send a copy of it to you. Regards Alan[/QUOTE] Thanks Alan just what I needed Stan

[QUOTE=ken platt;41037]Born in Sheffield, served on Shiney Sheff 1952-55, America/West Indies,marched thro town fixed bayonets for Coronation, based in Bermuda and witnessed first Sub underwater Atlantic crossing, HM/S Andrew, celebrated in fleet canteen, and finally releived by HMS Superb, Ken Platt, ex boy bugler.[/QUOTE] Hi Ken,just seen your time on the Shiny Sheff, I was on JAN 51/ AUG 53, I was an o/sea, f/cstle mess,unsure if we met, unfortunately time has not been to kind to the old man. I am sure we will find some things of interest, I too was in the guard. hope to hear from you STAN

I only saw the Sheffield once, that was at Rosyth in early 1967 whilst she was de-equipping, and she looked in a sorry state. The ships name plate was clearly visible. I assumed at the time she was being broken up, but a bit of delving on a history site, said she was towed to Faslane for breaking up. Jack.

[QUOTE=stanley;101505]Hi Ken,just seen your time on the Shiny Sheff, I was on JAN 51/ AUG 53, I was an o/sea, f/cstle mess,unsure if we met, unfortunately time has not been to kind to the old man. I am sure we will find some things of interest, I too was in the guard. hope to hear from you STAN[/QUOTE] Stan, There is a very good book published called Stoker Greenwoods Navy, which tells the story of Sheffields commission 51/52 west Indies. A cracking read. + good photos.

I remember the Sheff, being moored off Ganges in 1957, the one and only time I have been on anything larger than a destroyer. Photo taken by Mr Fisk of our class during the visit, unfortunately I do not have the photo, donated to the Ganges Museum many moons ago. Derek (Bunts)

Derek, dont remember the sheff of Ganges in 57, I remember when we went down to Chatham on the MFV that was at Ganges and went onboard the Suberb.

[QUOTE=alanandbren;102309]Stan, There is a very good book published called Stoker Greenwoods Navy, which tells the story of Sheffields commission 51/52 west Indies. A cracking read. + good photos.[/QUOTE] Hi Alan, thanks for the book reference, have scanned the net lots of them out there, are they all the same or is there one you could recommend? Many thanks STAN

Hi Stan, been on google and they all look the same as the copy I've got.Sydney Greenwood is the author, good luck with your Quest. Alan

[QUOTE=alanandbren;102530]Hi Stan, been on google and they all look the same as the copy I've got.Sydney Greenwood is the author, good luck with your Quest. Alan[/QUOTE] Thanks Alan, will make my choice, STAN

alanandbren..........will concur..........I was at GANGES in 1957, certainly don't recall SHEFFIELD but SUPERB definately visited, our class went onboard her.

Hi Allan/Scurs, sorry got to agree, Twas Surperb not Sheffield. Must be age. Derek (Bunts)

Scurs and Derek, did you go down to Chatham on the MFV trip to visit Superb which I remember doing,and visiting the NAAFI in the evening under the watchfull eye of our instructor. I dont remember her visiting Ganges.

Hi Allan, didnt go to Chatham, Surberb was defo moored in the Orwell.Stour, 1957. Derek (Bunts)

You could be right Derek,I can't remember her there.Our class went on the MFV trip to Chats and went aboard her in the dockyard,57 or 58 I'm not certain.

Shiny Sheff's Bell, and white ensign, taken, whilst on a visit to the UK. An oppo lives in Sheffield. Ex Met River Police.
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Visited HMS Sheffield to look at her Ring Main System when she was reserve fleet at Pompey, while on EM's course at Collingwood in 1963. I think we were bussed round to Whale Island. The attached photo is of that period. Some of the ships in the photo are Sheffield; Rame Head; Crossbow; Rapid; Volage; Cavendish; Chailey; Protector and Cassandra. Jim
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A really interesting shot Jim. VMT. :)

[QUOTE=jbryce1437;103110]Visited HMS Sheffield to look at her Ring Main System when she was reserve fleet at Pompey, while on EM's course at Collingwood. I think we were bussed round to Whale Island. The attached photo is of that period. Some of the ships in the photo are Sheffield; Rame Head; Crossbow; Rapid; Volage; Cavendish; Chailey; Protector and Cassandra. Jim[/QUOTE] Super Pic Jim, reminds me of my time on the Belfast when she was Bellerophen in the same berth in 1967. Looks like the Tiger in No.3 Basin.

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