HMS Hollyhock at sea

HMS Hollyhock at sea

HMS Hollyhock originally served as escort protection in the Atlantic as part of EG3 (3rd Escort Group) Western Approaches Command Fleet.

She was commissioned on 19th August, 1940 and finished on November 19 1940. The Hollyhock was a Flower Class Corvette, built by John Crown & Sons in Sunderland, England, (job No: J4027), and finished by N.E Marine. 

The drawing office at John Crown & Sons during WW11. Photograph with kind permission of Mr H. Oxman.

The picture on the home page of this site was kindly sent to me by Mr. H.Oxman of Sunderland. He sent me an original photo of HMS Hollyhock, as she was in the final stages of ‘fitting out’, along with a copy of her scale general arrangement plans

Mr. Oxman was an apprentice draughtsman at the John Crown and Sons shipbuilders and actually drew up the ‘scale general arrangement plans’ for the Hollyhock (and still retains them to this day). 

I cannot thank Mr. Oxman enough; his photo was the only one that I knew of in existence, neither the Imperial war Museum, the Portsmouth Naval Museum, or the PRO office have any photos of the Hollyhock.

 
 

It has since come to my attention that the town of Abergele in North Wales, who in March 1942 adopted the Hollyhock (as part of the national ‘Warships Week’ savings scheme), was presented with a picture of the Hollyhock, along with a Commemorative plaque (pictured above). The picture of Hollyhock on display is an exact copy of the one I have from Mr Oxman.

The Brass Plaque Reads:

PRESENTED BY THE LORDS COMMISSIONERS OF THE ADMIRALTY TO ABERGELE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL TO COMMEMORATE THE ADOPTION OF H.M.S. HOLLYHOCK and H.M.S. DERG DURING WARSHIP WEEK. MARCH 1942.

The Latin "SIG OFF MAG ADM MAG BRIT" translates roughly to 'Official Seal of His Britannic Majesty's Admiralty'.

 

HMS Hollyhock Specification

  • Pennant No: K64
  • Displacement: 1170 tons
  • Speed: 16 knots
  • Power: Vertical triple expansion, 1 shaft
  • Horsepower: 2750
  • Fuel: Oil (230 tons)
  • Boilers: 2 x Admiralty 3 drum
  • Armaments: 1 x breach loading Mk IX, 4”
  • Depth charges: x 40