As part of my research into the RN and RM on the Faroes in WW2, I've found an image of warships alongside in Tórshavn, the islands' capital. One of the warships has the pennant number D158. Does any member have any idea where I can get the ship's identity? According to Wikipedia, 'D' was used for destroyers until 1940 and capital ships, aircraft carriers and cruisers from 1940. I believe the warship in the image is most probably a destroyer.
Going back to OD. It's not a abbreviation. If it comes from anything it's Ordinary Seaman ie one at the bottom of the ladder before becoming an Able Seaman. OD is naval colloquialism or slang for someone who is behaving stupidly. As in 'Don't be an OD' or 'look at him he's a real OD'. Tim
Re: pennant D158. Unless another member has a copy of Jane's Fighting Ships for the period your best bet is to contact the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Dockyard Contact Us | NMRN Portsmouth. Tim
Thanks again,Tim. I've emailed the NMRN as suggested and also found a cheap copy of 'Janes Fighting Ships of WW2' on the Internet in case the NMRN can't answer the query.
Well done TD. According to Wiki RN adopted standard pennant numbers in 1948. Pennant number - Wikipedia which would indicate the photo from the Faroes is post WW2. Almost confirmed by HMS Wrangler (R48) - Wikipedia, which says from 1946-50 she was a boys' training ship based at Rosyth.
Hi Guys, Many thanks for identifying HMS WRANGLER. Searching both the Internet and the draft of my book on the RN in the Faroes Area in WW2, I found the following: 1. From Chapter 4 of my book ("Monthly Royal Naval Activities - Faroes Area of the North Atlantic, September 1939 to May 1945"), the following Home Fleet War Dairy extract of Aug 1944 (See: Royal Navy, Home Fleet, Admiralty War Diary 1944) "17 Aug 44: The following destroyers arrived Skálafjørður from Scapa Flow to refuel and left 18 Aug 44 for Op GOODWOOD : • SCOURGE (23DF). • VOLAGE, VERULAM and VIRAGO with Canadian destroyer ALGONQUIN (26DF). • WHIRLWIND and WRANGLER (27DF)." (DF = Destroyer Flotilla.) 2. From HMS Wrangler, destroyer: 14 Jul 44: Commissioned for service in 27DF. Build completion and commenced Acceptance Trials. On completion of trials and storing took passage to Scapa Flow. Aug 44: Worked-up at Scapa Flow with ships of the Home Fleet. (NB: No pennant numbers are listed.) 3. From Appendix 3 of my book (Warships and Auxiliary Vessels Operating in the Faroes Area 1939 - 45). WRANGLER's pennant number is listed as R48. 4. From Wikipedia (See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Wrangler_(R48) - lists pennant numbers R48 and F157, but no mention of pennant number D158. (WRANGLER was converted to a Type 15 frigate in the early 1950s.) I therefore presume WRANGLER was allocated pennant number D158 sometime after WW2 when destroyers were re - allocated pennant numbers with the prefix 'D' (See: Pennant number - Wikipedia) and before she was converted to a frigate and allocated pennant number F157. I therefore agree that the image I have of D158 alongside in Tórshavn must be post WW2 and, as such, outside the scope of my research. In addition, most destroyers visiting the Faroes post - 1940 docked in Skálafjørður, the Navy's deep water anchorage and refuelling facility; Tórshavn only being used by smaller naval vessels such as armed trawler and motor launches. Regards, TB
