Completed in March 1929 as USCGC Mendota of the Lake class, HMS CULVER was transferred to the Admiralty and commissioned in April 1941. The sloop was part of the escorts for numerous North Atlantic Convoys.

At 2331 on 31 January 1942, U-105 (Heinrich Schuch) fired four torpedoes at Convoy SL-98 some 450 miles West-Southwest of Cape Clear. A explosion was seen and Schuch thought that he had hit an ammunition freighter, but it was HMS CULVER that blew up after being hit on the port side in the forward boiler room and further aft, probably detonating the after magazine. CULVER heeled 45° to Starboard, broke in two and sank within one minute.

The Captain (Lt Cdr R T Gordon-Duff), seven officers and 119 ratings were lost. One officer and twelve ratings were rescued by HMS LONDONDERRY.

4545Ëë