Springbank
Ship Number
687
Vessel Type
Cargo Ship
Built
Govan Yard
Slip Number
2
Launch Date
April 13, 1926
Delivered
May 26, 1926
Owner
Bank Line Ltd
Weight
5155 grt
BP Length
420 feet
Breadth
53-9 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
10.5 knots
Propulsion
Two 6cyl 4SCSA (630x960mm), 717nhp H&W B&W
Official No.
148908
Registered
Glasgow
Fate
Torpedoed
Springbank

[HMS Springbank]
HMS Springbank was one of a new type of Fighter Catapult Ship developed to counter the threat from land based aircraft. Originally constructed as an "Inverbank" Class vessel for merchant service in 1926, she was taken up into RN service in 1940 and converted into an anti-aircraft ship with a formidable armament including 8-4 inch (100 mm) guns in four Twin HA turrets and two sets of quadruple 2 pounder pom-poms.
 
In March 1941 she was fitted with a cordite powered catapult amidships mounted with a Fulmar two seater naval fighter. In the course of her duties with HG 73 her Fulmar aircraft was launched on 18 September and the enemy aircraft was attacked but escaped; when the aircraft arrived at Gibraltar it was discovered that faulty ammunition had caused all but one of the guns to jam.
 
HMS Springbank was torpedoed at 0208 on 27 September 1941 by U-201. HMS Jasmine went alongside to take off survivors and after unsuccessfully attempting to sink her with depth charges did so by shelling.