HM Trawler Lady Shirley

The Royal Navy requisitioned HM Trawler Lady Shirley in May 1940, converting it to an auxiliary patrol vessel. It went down without trace in December 1941.

In January 1941, HM Trawler Lady Shirley underwent further conversions to enable its use in anti-submarine duties. After joining 31st Anti-Submarine Group at Gibraltar, Lady Shirley sank U-111 off the coast of Tenerife on 4th October 1941

Operating alongside trawlers Erin and Lady Hogarth, Lady Shirley’s Watch Officer observed the tower of a U-Boat. The Captain altered his course and launched an attack with depth charges. The U-Boat surfaced and as Lady Shirley manouevred to open fire, the German crew responded with a hail of shells. The U-Boat eventually went down and Lady Shirley lifted 45 survivors from the water. Later, Lady Shirley came under torpedo attack from U-374 off the coast of Gibraltar.

At around 0345hrs on 11th December 1941, the Captain of trawler St. Nectan observed Lady Shirley enter a rain squall that lasted for around 25 minutes. At 0410hrs, the trawler had vanished. There is no evidence to suggest a U-Boat sank the Royal Navy vessel.