HMS Grey Seal
Printed From: BMPT Forum
Category: General Discussion
Forum Name: Steam Gunboats
Forum Description: Discussion on Steam Gunboats
URL: http://www.bmpt.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=947
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 1:33pm
Topic: HMS Grey Seal
Posted By: BarryW
Subject: HMS Grey Seal
Date Posted: 18 December 2013 at 5:36pm
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My grandfather - Harry George Williams, served with Peter Scott's flotilla when based in Dover (which also happens to be his, and my, home town). I believe he was on the Grey Seal and was a Stoker in rank. I would be interested in any information that anyone might have about him, his service and the flotilla. many thanks
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Replies:
Posted By: kenc013
Date Posted: 05 March 2014 at 11:09pm
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My father served in Grey Seal from 25 Mar '44 till 23 Apr '45 as an AB. His name was Donald John Morrison Mackinnon Cameron. I too am researching this ship and the grey flottila. I found out that the Grey Seal, Grey Wolf and Grey Shark were based at St Angels, Malta from 1 Nov '44 till 23 Apr '45, and have some photos of them. The only story my dad told was of this time, after the Italian landings, the Grey Seal's cook was injured/wounded/killed. The skipper asked if any crew member could cook and my dad stepped forward. Not because he could cook, but because the cook got a run ashore every day with two armed bodyguards to buy/requisition food from the Italian farmers. He made sure the crew were well fed so that they would keep him as cook and he could get ashore.  My elder brother told me of a time before the Med cruise, when my mum and the two sons went down to Wales to see my dad because HMS Grey Seal was in for 'repairs' for about two months. My brothers were eight and six years old then and he is now 75. The only part he clearly remembers of that trip was going over the 'Big Bridge' on the straights. If I find out any other info, I post it on here for you. ------------- Ex-RNVR stoker |
Posted By: sergey
Date Posted: 05 June 2015 at 1:38pm
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Hello. How was the fight SGB-3, -5, -6, and -8 with German trawlers 26.07.1942? What damage was SGB-3?
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Posted By: kenc013
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 1:03pm
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Hi Sergey, The only factual details of ships of the Grey Fleet in action that I have come across are those given in Sir Peter Scott's book 'The Battle of the Narrow Seas', which has been mentioned in several of the topics in this forum. The only action account against trawlers that I remember in that book happened 16 April 1943, and is described on pages 145/146. I am sure there were many more interactions than that one and others are described for summer 1943 on pages 147 to 158. I came across some photos of damage to SGB 3 and 4, but have no details of dates when it happened. If I can figure out how to post them I will put them on here with abject apologies to the originator source of them. I am very nearly 70 and found them more than a year ago in my searches for SGB 3 information, and don't now remember where I found them. They are not mine and if anyone recognizes them, and can tell me where they came from originally, I would be very pleased. This does not answer your query about the 1942 incident directly, but I hope it helps you a little. Regards, Ken ------------- Ex-RNVR stoker |
Posted By: kenc013
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 1:34pm
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Some of the photos I have of damage to HMS Grey Seal. ------------- Ex-RNVR stoker |
Posted By: Pioneer
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 3:24pm
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There are some images of damage to SGB 4 at http://www.bmpt.co.uk/hms-sgb4-grey-fox_topic507_page2.html%20" rel="nofollow - http://www.bmpt.co.uk/hms-sgb4-grey-fox_topic507_page2.html Scroll down ------------- Pioneer - Forum Moderator |
Posted By: sergey
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 6:00pm
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Thank you. With this information I know. Unfortunately, I have no book Sir Peter Scott's 'The Battle of the Narrow Seas'. There is only a description of the individual battles in this book, but without chronology. Of those fights that I mentioned, there is a brief message in the War Diary of SKL. We need to see history / reports of fights and damage to SGBs, if any.
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Posted By: sergey
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 8:40pm
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Thank you. With this information I know. Unfortunately, I have no Sir Peter Scott's The Battle of the Narrow Seas'. There is only a description of the individual battles in this book, but without chronology. Of those fights that I mentioned, there is a brief message in the War Diary of SKL. We need to see history / reports of fights and damage to GBs, if any Extracts from Weekly Intelligence Reports (W.I.R) S.G.B.3 During the night of 25th/26th July, H.M. Steam Gun Boats 3, 5, 6 and 8 engaged 2 enemy Escort Trawlers off Cape Barfleur. Two attacks were carried out at point blank range and 1 trawler was left in a sinking condition and the other was damaged. 2 ratings from S.G.B.6 were wounded and S.G.B.3 was hit in the condensus and had to be towed home by S.G.Bs 6 and 8 (W.I.R. 125 - page 1 - 31st July, 1942 http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1924.15;wap2" rel="nofollow - http://sussexhistoryforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=1924.15;wap2 ------------- |
Posted By: sergey
Date Posted: 08 June 2015 at 8:41pm
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Posted By: Malc Harrison
Date Posted: 10 March 2016 at 4:52pm
| My late father-in-law Stanley Roger Chadwick was a Chief ERA in the S.G.B,s with Peter Scott as C.O. He also served on H.M.S Bleasdale & Coastal Subs. Has anyone crew lists? He served 1939 to 47. |
Posted By: Tim Deacon
Date Posted: 14 March 2016 at 1:18pm
| HMS Grey Goose, Peter Scott's SGB is still afloat as a (very smart!) house boat on the River Medway at Port Werburg, near Hoo, Kent. At this very moment I cannot recall her name but I understand she will be undergoing some hull repairs/restoration sometime soon. |