Author Topic: HMS HERALD and HECLA  (Read 6461 times)

Offline davidships

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HMS HERALD and HECLA
« on: October 05, 2015, 10:21:19 PM »
A member has suggested through the error reporting system that this is HMS HECLA, and cannot be HMS HERALD because the latter "was not a hospital ship at any time."
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1593565

This not my field of expertise, but I do not think that this is right.  My reading is that HERALD, HYDRA and HECLA all operated as ambulance ships between the UGANDA and Montevideo, under Red Cross privileges.  Herald was the first to return, arriving Portsmouth 21/7/1982 along with HMS HERMES:
http://warshipsimages.com/13717/hms-hermes-passes-the-converted-survey-ship-hms-herald-in-portsmouth-oh-her-return-from-the-falklands-war
 
Another photo, given as HMS HECLA, appears to be the same ship, see for example the identical damage to the red cross paintwork and hull discoloration towards the stern.
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=32859
I think that this is the one that is wrong, as the distinctive Π-shaped davits were only fitted on HERALD.

It seems that HMS HECLA's pre- and post-Falklands conversions were at Gibraltar and when she later returned to the UK in Red Cross colours she appeared in pristine condition.
http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/280988/title/hms-hecla/cat/511
http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/pages/aux_vessels/hecla_a133_page_1.htm

Grateful for any views on this from those with more naval knowledge than I (and the two photographers concerned).

Offline Bob Scott

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2015, 08:07:13 AM »
All three served as hospital ships

Offline John Jones

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2015, 05:58:11 PM »
Well they definitely all appear to be the same ship, and on the evidence of the davits I think my one is incorrectly posted as 'HECLA' and should indeed be 'HERALD'. Bob Smith has pictures posted as 'HERALD' and I'd probably trust his notes over mine  ;)

Regards
John
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Offline Robert J Smith

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #3 on: October 07, 2015, 04:54:57 PM »
I wouldn't go that far John  :)

I saw her on a misty harbour cruise where she was identified as the Herald so I went with that

ShipSpotting.com


Offline Clive G Herbert

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #4 on: October 07, 2015, 07:10:33 PM »
It`s an interesting question, although i`m sure it is HMS Herald.

She arrived in the Falklands on 26th May, joining her sisters HMS Hecla & Hydra & also SS Uganda. Her task was to transport casualties away from the warzone to Montivideo, Uraguay. She returned home leaving her sisters at the Falklands in company with HMS Hermes & entered Portsmouth on 21st July 1982, just ahead of HMS Hermes. These are official facts & I also remember the day well as an excited teenager.

There was a way of telling the difference between the Herald & Hecla, the Herald`s Red Cross on her sides were smaller than on Hecla. The top of the cross on Herald only went as high as her portholes, while on Hecla the cross was further up, inches away from her deck. The bottom of the cross was nearly at the water level on Hecla, while shorter on Herald.

Offline Robert J Smith

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2015, 07:24:49 PM »
That's an interesting fact about the cross. I have a photo of Hecla taken by my brother when she returned to Portsmouth after the conflict, perhaps we can positively identify which are which.

Regards

Bob

Offline Clive G Herbert

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2015, 07:26:42 PM »
So just to add to the above, Robert`s photo can be confirmed as being HMS Herald.

Clive  :)

Offline Robert J Smith

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2015, 07:29:48 PM »
Thanks Clive

Offline Clive G Herbert

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #8 on: October 07, 2015, 07:32:38 PM »
It would certainly be interesting to see the photo of HMS Hecla, Bob.

Regards,

Clive

Offline John Jones

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #9 on: October 07, 2015, 08:34:38 PM »
I was just an excited teenager at the time. So excited that I failed to load my 3rd 36 exposure roll of slide film correctly which only became apparent went the frame counter went up to 39. I still rue that mistake and the photos that I missed until this very day!  :(

Regards
John J.
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Offline davidships

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #10 on: October 07, 2015, 09:10:56 PM »
Also HERALD had two red croses on bridge-front, HECLA only one.
Bottom pic: http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/great_britain/pages/aux_vessels/hecla_a133_page_1.htm

HYDRA also two - but a bit different, and midships cross right to the gunwales: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=243202

Thanks everyone for your help and contributions.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2015, 11:30:52 PM by davidships »

Offline Clive G Herbert

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2015, 11:23:07 PM »
All this is excellent detective work, now we know how to recognise all three sisters, seemingly identical, with no pennant number.

Kind regards,

Clive  8)

Offline Robert J Smith

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #12 on: October 09, 2015, 02:42:37 PM »
It would certainly be interesting to see the photo of HMS Hecla, Bob.

Regards,

Clive

My mistake, the photos were of HYDRA, not HECLA. Does show the red cross up to the gunwales though.

Regards

Bob

Offline Clive G Herbert

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Re: HMS HERALD and HECLA
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2015, 08:10:37 PM »
Excellent photos Bob, historic photos of an historic event. You can definately see the difference in the Red Crosses on the three ships, it makes identification quite easy.

Best regards,

Clive

 

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