Another reference to Bluebell's activities in 1920
On January 17, 1920, the Insect Class ships HMS Cricket, HMS Cockchafer, HMS Moth, HMS Mantis and HMS Scarab set out from Chatham, England for China. All except Scarab had been in Northern Russia and somewhat recently returned to England following their support of White Russian forces. These ships were not designed for open sea service due to their flat bottoms which caused them to roll in high seas. Although some refurbishment occurred prior to the trip, it was discovered that thousands of rivets had been replaced with wooden dowels during the Northern Russian Expedition and all the ships were ultimately brought into Devonport for repairs. Over a number of months the ships made their way through the Mediterranean, Suez and out to China. I know that HMS Colombo (cruiser) and four sloops set off with with the five Insects, these ships escorting for the purpose of towing in bad weather and at the exhaustion of the Insects' fuel (some legs of the trip were beyond the fuel capacity of the Insects). I have verified that four of the five escorting ships (there was one escort for each of the five Insects) were: HMS Colombo (cruiser), HMS Bluebell (sloop), HMS Cornflower (sloop) and HMS Magnolia (sloop). The fifth ship was a mystery but, given the photograph above (taken from an album of someone onboard on HMS Hollyhock (sloop) showing Mantis in tow), it seems highly likely HMS Hollyhock was the final escort ship. Given the other photos from the album, HMS Hollyhock was also clearly on her way to China at the time.
I have just realised that this is the bit of Bluebell's history that I am transcribing at the moment as there was mention of Colombo and Hollyhock being hauled out of the line and reforming later.
zoot horn rollo wrote:
Here we are on the 21st June 1920 with the Bluebell towing HMS Cockchafer off the coast of China and a junk is sighted off the starboard bow at a distance of half a cable. Engines are stopped but the Cockchafer collides with the junk. The crew of four are rescued from the junk which then capsizes. The flotilla then proceeds...
10.30 Commander Stanley MVO, Surg Lt Cdr Sinclair RN, Lieut Nicholl, W Jenkins Wt. Engineer, Mr. Roberts Gunner G, and ships company left ship to join HMS Tamar. care and maintenance party in charge of ship.
Janet Jaguar wrote:
CHommel, I think the crew was paid off and the voyage ended (a very normal happening every 1 to 2 years), but the ship itself is scheduled to be commissioned again - it will get new crew and captain.
HMS Bluebell with Chinese prisoners , Off China Coast 1920's
And on Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Bluebell_(1915)
HMS Bluebell was an Acacia-class minesweeping sloop of the Royal Navy launched on 24 July 1915.[1][2]
The Aud was intercepted by HMS Bluebell as she carried arms to Ireland for the Easter Rising in 1916.[3]
She was sold in May 1930.[1][2]
