Kos Whale Catchers - Norwegian Merchant Fleet 1939-1945

There was no Kos III in 1939; this whale catcher had been renamed Hval I in 1938, see the Hval whale catchers.

D/S Kos IV - 248 gt NS

Built in Middlesbrough 1929

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Drøbak in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Returned on June 30-1946 and renamed Kos IV.
John Gibson, who has visited my website, has found the following in the 2002 Lloyd's Register:
"Converted from whaler to general cargo vessel with 1 hold in 1960. Refitted with Wichman 4 cyclinder oil engine. Renamed Bergfjord in 1958, Guro in 1974, Lisund in 1982, Sand Castor in 1984. Currently operating from Bergen (transporting sand)".

The website Shipsphoto West used to have a lovely picture of a vessel named M/V Sand Castor, ex Kos IV but it now appears to have been removed. Just out of interest, I checked on the call sign listed for Sand Castor, and LDKW matches that given for Kos IV in 1947 in my book "List of Norwegian War and Merchant Ships to which Signal Letters have been allotted".

This ship still exists under the name Fru Petrell, owned by Per Haakon Haakonsen, Norway - see this external page. She appears to be up for sale (Oct.-2007), as will be seen from this page.

D/S Kos V - 248 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1929

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy on air-sea rescue in July-1940, with Norwegian crew; renamed Risør in 1941. Transferred to Royal Navy in June 1942. Served as anti-submarine vessel from 1943 to end of war.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

She's listed in Convoy WN 129, departing Clyde on May 19-1941, arriving Methil May 21 - ref. external link below, several Norwegian ships are included. According to the archive document above, Kos V arrived Scapa Flow on May 21.

POST WAR: Returned in June-1945 and renamed Kos V. Had been sold to Rederi A/B Kalmar Nyckel (manager Jim F. A. Hoglund, Kalmar, Sweden) by 1958. Had been laid up during 1957.

Related external link:
Convoy WN 129 (incomplete listing)

D/S Kos VI - 248 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1929

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 as anti-submarine vessel, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Farsund in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Returned in June-1945 and renamed Kos VI. Had been sold to Ottesens Skibsbyggeri, Bergen by 1958. Last known name J. M. Senior in 1962.

D/S Kos VII - 248 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1929

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 for use as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Daybreak in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

In Febr.-1941, she's listed in Convoy WN 80, departing Clyde on Febr. 4, arriving Methil on the 7th; according to the archive document above, she later arrived Shields on the 9th. See link below; Kos IX and Kos VIII are also included. In June, we find her in Convoy OG 64, which left Liverpool on June 4 and arrived Gibraltar June 18; Kos VII had started out from Oban on the 5th. Kos X, Kos XI and Kos XII are also listed, as are several other Norwegian ships. This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys. Later that year, she appears in Convoy OS 5, departing Liverpool on Sept. 2, arriving Freetown Sept. 21. This time, Kos IX was in company.

POST WAR: Returned in Jan.-1946 and renamed Kos VII. Had been sold to Cheynes Beach Whaling Co Ltd, Brisbane, Australia by 1958. Scuttled off Rottnest Island, Western Australia on June 22-1968.

Related external links:
Convoy WN 80 - The site also has Convoy OS 5.

D/S Kos VIII - 248 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1930

Delivered in August 1930 from Smith`s Dock Co Ltd. Middlesbrough to Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 for use as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Dew in Sept.-1941. Served as firefloat from May-1944, and attached to examination service from Jan.-1945 to May-1946.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

In Febr.-1941, we find her in Convoy WN 80, departing Clyde on Febr. 4, arriving Methil on the 7th; according to the archive document above, she later arrived Shields on the 9th. See link below for more convoy details; Kos IX and Kos VII are also included. That summer, she appears in Convoy OG 67, which left Liverpool on July 4 and arrived Gibraltar July 20 (Kos VIII sailed from Clyde, July 5). This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys. With Kos IX, she's also mentioned among the escorts for Convoy HX 145 in Aug.-1941.

POST WAR: Returned in May-1946 and renamed Kos VIII. Whaling from the summer of 1947 together with the floating factory Anglo Norse, at Peru in 1947 and 1948, Madagascar 1949 and 1950 and the last time at Peru in 1951. Sold to Industrial Maritima SA, Rio Martin in 1953, renamed Atlas, whaling from Benzu in Marocco. Officially sold in 1975 to Industrial Ballenera SA and renamed Lobeira (Lobeiro?). Probably sold in 1955. Whaling from Balea-Cangas at Vigo from 1956 to the end of 1970`s. Broken up in 1981.

Related external link:
Convoy WN 80

Sources: E-mail from R. W. Jordan, and this thread on my Ship Forum.

D/S Kos IX * - 248 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1930

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 for use as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Firmament in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

In Febr.-1941, she's listed, together with Kos VII and Kos VIII, in Convoy WN 80, departing Clyde on Febr. 4, arriving Methil on the 7th. According to the archive document above, she later arrived Shields on the 9th. In July that year, A. Hague has included her as escort for Convoy OS 1, which departed Liverpool on July 24 and arrived Freetown Aug. 10; she's said to have been present from July 25 to July 26 only. With Kos VIII, she's also mentioned among the escorts for Convoy HX 145 in Aug.-1941, and the following month she appears in Convoy OS 5, which left Liverpool on Sept. 2 and arrived Freetown Sept. 21. Kos VII was again in company. See the external links provided below.

Stranded and lost near Alexandria on May 30-1944.

Related external links:
Convoy WN 80 - The site also has Convoy OS 1 and Convoy OS 5.

D/S Kos X - 260 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Flicker in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

She listed in Convoy OG 64, departing Liverpool on June 4-1941, arriving Gibraltar June 18 (Kos X had sailed from Clyde on June 5). This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys. Kos VII, Kos XI and Kos XII are also listed.

POST WAR: Returned in Dec.-1945 and renamed Kos X. Sold in 1951 to Compania Industrial, Chile, and renamed Indus 11. Driven against the mole at Valparaiso during a storm on July 11-1966 and became a total loss.

D/S Kos XI - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 for use as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Full Moon in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

With Kos VII, Kos X and Kos XII, she listed in Convoy OG 64, departing Liverpool on June 4-1941, arriving Gibraltar June 18 (Kos XI had sailed from Clyde on June 5). This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys.

POST WAR: Returned in May-1946 and renamed Kos XI. Had been sold to Ole P Lie, Bergen by 1958. Last known name Osvaldson in 1958.

D/S Kos XII - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in Nov.-1940 for use as minesweeper. Renamed HMS Hailstorm in Sept.-1941. Used as danlayer from 1944 to Sept.-1945.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

With Kos VII, Kos X and Kos XI, she listed in Convoy OG 64, departing Liverpool on June 4-1941, arriving Gibraltar June 18 (Kos XII had sailed from Clyde on June 5). This convoy will be added to an individual page in my Convoys section, in the meantime, the ships sailing in it are named on the page listing ships in all OG convoys.

POST WAR: Returned in Sept.-1945 and renamed Kos XII. Had been sold to Olav Dale, Bergen by 1958. Last known name Holmsund in 1994.

D/S Kos XIII - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Brevik in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Returned in June 1945 and renamed Kos XIII. Last known name Carrumeiro* in 1971.

*According to this posting to my Ship Forum by Tore Setså, she had been returned to owners in 1946, sold in March-1953 to Industrial Maritime SA, Marocco for land-based drifting from Benzu in Marocco, renamed Hercules. Station closed in 1954. Sold in 1971 to Masso Mermanos SA, Spain. Renamed Carrumeru, so here the spelling of her last known name is a little different. This posting adds she was still in use as whaler in 1981.

D/S Kos XIV - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Mandal in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Wrecked off Farsund on Sept. 19-1945, had the name Mandal at the time.

D/S Kos XV - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Grimstad in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Returned in Jan.-1946 and renamed Kos XV. Last known name Don Ramon in 1963 (Ramon Medina, Arevalo, Chile).

Again referring to Tore Setså's posting, which says she joined whaling expedition with Sir James Clark Ross for the1946/47 season, followed by two seasons with Kosmos III. Joined Anglo-Norse at Madagaskar 1949, and with Kosmos IV 1949/'50. In the Antarctic 1949/50. Last season with Antarctic 1950/'51. Sold in 1952 to Compania Industriale de Valparaiso, Chile. Renamed Indus X, then sold in 1963 as per details given above. Probably changed to fishing duty later on, still in Lloyds Register in 1988.

D/S Kos XVI * - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Built by Smith's Dock Co. Ltd., Middlesbrough (Yard No. 947) for Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Single steel propeller powered by a 5 cyl. quintuple expansion steam engine using 1 boiler (Smith's Dock). Fuelled by oil.

Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

In collision and sank in the North sea on Aug. 24-1941.

Further info from a thread on my Ship Forum: "At noon 11.45 hrs. the 24th. August 1941 the destroyer HMS Wolsey, in clear weather, in high speed hit Kos 16 from behind, position N of buoy 62B off Hull. After the collision the captain on Wolsey called a trawler to the site and ordered it to escort Kos 16 to the nearest port. In spite of all pumps working on top speed, the water slowly filled the engine room, and shortly after midnight on the 25th. August the bulkhead between the engine room and the aft compartments gave way, and Kos turned over in a few seconds and sank in position 5350 N 0035 E. The escorting trawler picked up the crew from Kos 16 and taken to Grimsby. The master of Kos 16, Lt. M. Fredriksen, was the last man to leave the ship. The British commission to investigate the accident stated later: 'No blame is considered attributed to HNM trawler Kos 16'". Another poster in this thread says Kos XVI lies in position N53 49 498 E00 35 535 off the Humber.

Ron Young has included this vessel in his "The Comprehensive Guide to Shipwrecks of the East Coast 1918 to 2003", saying she's located 20.47 n. miles ENE from Withernsea at a depth of 36 m and adds that she lies on the outside edge of the Rough Gas Field, upright and intact. "On the starboard side there is a large split where it appears she took the impact during the collision. A fairly large steering quadrant is still attached to the rudder post above the stern, while the rudder just below the stern is twisted to one side and disappears into the seabed. Her iron propeller is still attached to the shaft. The wooden wheelhouse that once stood higher than the rest of the superstructure has now collapsed down into the fuel bunkers and a telegraph lies (or used to) in full view at the bottom. Forward of these is a cabin that was fitted when she was converted for minesweeping, and further along is a generator room, where two diesel generators are just visible. The crew's toilets and washroom were in the foremost cabin above deck and this was reinforced on the roof to take the weight of her 0.91 kg (2 pounder) gun mount. The gun lies flat on the deck, having fallen from its mount. At the bows, three anchors can be found, with the spare one lying on the starboard side of the deck, while a heavy rusting chain leads to the anchor winch. Sets of heavy cables, what appear to be degaussing cables and steel hawsers run the length of the ship". (Added with the author's permission).

Related external link:
The wreck of Kos XVI today

D/S Kos XVII * - 258 gt NS:

Built by Smith's Dock & Co., Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Harstad in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

Attacked by German E-boats from the 5th MTB Flotilla in Lyme Bay and sunk on Febr. 26-1943. A website visitor has told me that "Shipwreck Guide to Lyme Bay" says that Harstad is at 50 24 21N 03 01 41W in 56 metres and has been positively identified, her stern is upright and intact, the bow lies on the starboard side and still has the acoustic hammer (used to detonate acoustic mines) attached.

22 are said to have died in the attack, 1 was wounded (Arne Johnsen - see this Guestbook message) - 20 are named below.

Casualty list:
Gunnar Andersen, Arne Oskar Grotle, Gunnar Hals, Einar Johan Hauge, Trygve Haugen, Kristian Gunvald Jensen, Arne Wilhelm Lerstad, Erling Sverre Longva, Karl Edvard Olavesen, Erling Olsen, Olav Olai Pedersen, Erling Jens Remme, Alfred Kaspar Sandøy, Aksel Lorens Skogen, Søren Johan Strømmen, Wilhelm Thomsen (captain), Rolf Thorsbye, Sigurd Vartdal, Ragnar Karl Wattø, Olaf Markussen.

Related external link:
Casualty lists, Royal Norwegian Navy - Names of those who died on misc. Norwegian warships, including Norge and Eidsvold, and many others.

Casualty list was received from Rolf Kristensen, Norway - His sources: E A Steen: Norges Sjøkrig 1940-1945 Vol. VI section 1 & 2, Frank Abelsen: Marinens fartøyer 1939-1945, Våre Falne Vol. I-IV.

D/S Kos XVIII - 258 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1932

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in July-1940 for use as minesweeper, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Vardø in 1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

POST WAR: Returned in 1945* and renamed Kos XVIII. Had been sold to Haugesund Slip (manager Brødrene Nistad, Haugesund) by 1958. Converted at some point to seiner Turbo of Ålesund (1959?). Last known name Nimrod in 1963.

*According to Tore Setså's sources she was returned to owners in Dec.-1946. He confirms that she was sold to Haugesund Slip in 1958, then says she was sold again in 1959 to Martin Gundersen P/S, Ålesund, Norway. Converted to fishing vessel, diesel engine installed, renamed Turbo. Sold in 1962 to A/S Havfiskeselskapet Neptun, Ålesund, renamed Turbotrawl. Sold in 1965 to Torleif Torrissen P/S, Bodø, Norway, renamed Nimrod (N-55-ME). Lengthened in 1969. Sold in Febr.-1984 to P/R Nimrod (Gunnar Støbakk), Godøy near Ålesund (M-60-G).

D/S Kos XIX * - 305 gt NS:

Built in Sandefjord 1936

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in 1940 as anti-submarine vessel. Renamed HMS Cocker in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

Torpedoed and sunk by the German E-boat S-57 (Erdmann) on June 4-1942 (at 01:01 German time), off Tobruk.

Related external link:
Survivor's story - Cocker

D/S Kos XX - 356 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1936

Owner Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in 1940 for use as an anti-submarine vessel, with Norwegian crew. Renamed Molde in 1941.

See also my text for Gos 9 on the page about the Gos whalers for some related information.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages. Kos XX is listed among the ships in Convoy HX 136 in June/July-1941 - follow the link for more details. See also Convoy HX 182.

POST WAR: Returned in 1945 and renamed Kos XX. Last known name Astypalea in 1953.

D/S Kos XXI * - 353 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1937

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in 1940 for use as an anti-submarine vessel. Renamed HMS Whippet in Sept.-1941.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

Attacked by enemy aircraft and sunk on Oct. 4-1941 in the Mediterranean.

D/S Kos XXII * - 353 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1937

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S. Hired by Royal Navy in Jan.-1941 as anti-submarine vessel.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

Attacked by enemy aircraft and sunk on June 2-1941 in the eastern Mediterranean.

D/S Kos XXIII * - 353 gt NS:

Built in Middlesbrough 1937

Owned by Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos II A/S, Sandefjord. Hired by Royal Navy in Jan.-1941(?*) as anti-submarine vessel.

This original image from the National Archives of Norway shows some of her voyages.

Scuttled on May 23-1941 in Suda Bay, Crete to avoid capture by advancing German forces.

*According to a message posted by Peter K., Austria to my Ship Forum, Gröner, Vol.8/1 states she was a British sub-chaser from Sept.-1940, and gives the date she was scuttled as May 27-1941. Raised and repaired and became German sub chaser UJ2104 = Darvik in Febr.-1942. Scuttled on Sept. 18-1943 in the bay of Stampalia, position 36 34N 26 30E having been heavily damaged by destroyers Eclipse, Faulknor and Vasilissa Olga. Follow the link for some technical details of the vessel.

Since I don't know whose sources are correct, I'll leave all these available (some conflicting) details in this text, until I can obtain further info.

There was also a Kos XXIV being built in Tønsberg for Anders Jahre (launched in June-1940), 550 gt. This vessel was seized by the Germans and used in the Oslofjord as Seeteufel V 5505, later V 5301. She was returned to Norwegian ownership after the war, owned by Den Norske Stat (the Norwegian State). My Norwegian Guestbook has some details on this ship. 45 whalers, or "vorpost" vessels were built for the Kriegsmarine at Norwegian shipyards during the war.

Related external links:
The Battles for Crete - Kos XXI, XXII and XXIII are mentioned (as is Syvern - on my S-list). Main page is at Warships1.

Operation Merkur - The Invasion of Crete - From the website Die Gebirgstruppen.

The information in green text below was sent to me by Jan-Olof, Sweden (his source Colledge, listed under a section called "Purchased Trawlers and Whalers" - that is, in English ownership). They were all built in Middlesbrough, I assume initially for Norwegian owners(?), then requisitioned by the Admiralty and renamed.

Ellesmere (ex-Kos XXIV) launched June 17, 1939. Sunk February 24, 1945 by U 1203 in the Channel.
This one is listed in Rohwer's "Axis Submarine Successes of World War II" as 580 gt, (FY 204), torpedoed and sunk on Febr. 24-1945 by U-1203 (Seeger) in 49 04N 05 31W, launched 1937. (Note that there's also a Kos XXIV further up on this page, built in Sandefjord at the beginning of the war, seized by the Germans and renamed Seeteufel).

Buttermere (ex-Kos XXV), launched June 30, 1939, became mercantile Tiern in 1948.
I've also found a Kos 25 (listed with the number 25 as opposed to Roman numerals) in a book published in 1947, 533 gt, built 1941, belonging to Den Norske Stat (Norwegian State). This ship had originally been built in Oslo as Tirol for the Kriegsmarine, delivered in July-1941. Taken over by the Norwegian State in 1945 (A/S Kosmos/Anders Jahre, Sandefjord) and renamed Kos 25. Later sailed as Star I for Hvalfanger A/S Rosshavet, Sandefjord from 1947. Sold in 1955 to Tønsberg Hvalfangeri, Tønsberg and renamed Busen 6. From 1960 she sailed as R 7 for Albion Star (South Georgia) Ltd. Rebuilt in 1968, having been sold to owners in Ålesund, renamed Hareidingen (618 gt). Sailed as Flømann for A/S Flømann, Ålesund from 1971. Renamed Hundvåkøy in 1999 for owners in Bergen, Hundvåkøy I in 2001, Torbas in 2002 for owners in Hammerfest, Norway. Still in use?

Thirlmere (ex-Kos XXVI), launched July 5, 1939, became mercantile Kos XXVI in 1946.
I've found a Kos 26, built 1939, 361 gt, owner A/S Kosmos, home port Sandefjord.

Windermere (ex-Kos XXVII), launched July 21, 1939, became mercantile Kos XXVII in 1946.
I've also been told that Windermere was laid down as Suderøy VII (the Suderøy whale factory and catchers are listed on this page). I've found a Kos 27, built 1939, 361 gt, owner A/S Kosmos, home port Sandefjord.

Grasmere (ex-Kos XXVIII), launched August 31, 1939, renamed Wastwater in 1940, sold in May 1946.
According to another visitor to my site, this vessel was listed as Tiern in Lloyd's Register 1957-58 (scroll down to details on Tiern below).
I've also found a Kos 28, built 1946, 526 gt, Anders Jahre, Sandefjord.

Ullswater (ex-Kos XXIX), launched August 31, 1939, sunk November 19, 1942 south of Plymouth by E-boats from the 5th MTB Flottilla (Lt-Cdr Klug).
Another visitor to my website (his source: "Ships of the Royal Navy Vol II") says "built at Smiths Dockyard in 1939 as a whaler, purchased by the Royal Navy in Aug.-1939".
I've also found a Kos 29, built 1936, 344 gt, Anders Jahre, Sandefjord.

Finally, I've come across a Kos 30 (XXX), built 1936, 351 gt, Hvalfangerselskapet Kosmos A/S, home port Sandefjord - no further info.

A visitor to my site tells me there were several Kos whale catchers built after the war; Kos 40, Kos 41, last known name Colin Frye in 1962, Kos 42 - all built in 1948, and Kos 46, Kos 47 - both built 1950. See also this external site.

Tiern, Ex Wastwater., ex Grasmere? or Kos XXVIII?

Whale catcher. It appears this vessel, which I had already listed as Thor Dahl's whale catcher Tiern on my page "Ships starting with T" did not sail under Norwegian ownership during the war afterall (according to text below). There seems to be some confusion over this one. According to the text above for Buttermere (ex-Kos XXV), launched June 30, 1939, she became mercantile Tiern in 1948, and Kos XVIII also became Tiern at some point, as per text below.

John Gibson has sent me the following
(his sources: Lloyd's Registers, The West Australian Maritime Museum, a list of Smith's production, and other misc.):
"Laid down 7th July 1939. Launched 31st August 1939. Completed 7th November 1939. Official No. 196896, Yard Number 1065 (Smiths Dock). Owners A/S Odd, managers A/S Thor Dahl, Sandefjord, 374grt, 155nett. Dimensions 147'6" 26'5" 15'. Machinery, triple expansion 3 cylinder by Smith's Dock. Cylinders 15" 26" 46_" x 27" stroke. 1 scotch boiler, 1,400ihp, 13.5 knots. Armament, 1 single 4" 1 x 20mm Oerlikon 1 0.5mg. Taken over by the Admiralty while building and launched as the "Lakes" Class A/S Whaler Wastwater. Pennant No. FY 239. Vessel also said to have been named Grasmere on being taken over, and renamed Wastwater in 1940. Some sources state that the original name was to have been Kos XXVIII. (Again, read the text under "Other Kos Whale Catchers" above).

Wastwater was on hand on 9th August 1941 when the Norwegian vessel Dagny, owned by Jacob Kjøde A/S and registered in Bergen, was bombed and sunk by German aircraft while on passage from Svalbard to Britain. When she left Advent Bay, Svalbard the ship was laden with Norwegians eager to escape to Britain, and Captain Olaf Torkelsen had taken as many as he could, 56 in total. Five of the crew of 18, and two passengers were lost in the sinking, Wastwater picking up the remainder. This incident is detailed under D/S Dagny I.

Also in August 1941, Wastwater took part in the capture of U-570 off Iceland. The U-Boat had been detected and severely damaged in a depth charge attack by a Hudson aircraft operating from Iceland, at 1100 hours on August 23rd. Unable to dive, the U-Boat had signalled her surrender to the aircraft which called for surface assistance. After many hours the A/S trawler Northern Chief arrived on the scene, but bad weather prevented her from securing the captured U-Boat, and she had to wait until further assistance, in the form of the trawlers Wastwater, Kinston Agate, Windermere, and the destroyers HMS Burwell and HMCS Niagara arrived to assist. By that stage all items of value to the Allies had been destroyed by the U-boat's crew, but the vessel was towed to Iceland, eventually being repaired and commissioned into the RN as HMS/M Graph.

Wastwater had the distinction of being one of the first pair of anti-submarine trawlers loaned to the United States Navy to assist with the U-boat menace on the eastern seaboard of America. She arrived on 12th March 1942, along with the trawler HMS Le Tigre, and began patrol operations off Atlantic City, and Barnegat, New Jersey. On her return to the Royal Navy, Wastwater was again called upon to rescue survivors from a torpedoed ship, this time the Celtic Star. This 5,575grt Blue Star Line vessel was sunk on 29th March 1943 in position 04º16’N 17º44’W.

POST WAR: Vessel sold in 1946. Possibly converted to salvage tug. Listed as Tiern in Lloyd's Register 1957-58. Sold on 11th April 1958 to Nor-West Whaling Co Ltd, Freemantle, Western Australia. Renamed Robert Moore in 1959. Owners J. Franetovich. Still listed in L.R. 1969-70. Vessel reported to have been scuttled on July 10th 1968 off Rottnest Island, Western Australia. Prior to scuttling, the vessel was listed as a Steam Lighter." Thank you so much, John!