laststandonzombieisland

HMS Vesta (J215) IWM FL 21022

Some 80 years ago today, on 26 July 1945, the humble 255-foot Algerine-class minesweeper HMS Vestal (J215) earned two unenviable distinctions.

As part of Operation Livery, while about 55 nautical miles south-west of Phuket, Siam, clearing enemy minefields as part of Force 63, she was hit by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft that killed 14 of her 130-member crew and left her too damaged for economical repair. That afternoon, in 72 meters of water and unmanned, she was finished by gunfire from R-class destroyer HMS Racehorse (H 11).

Vestal, ship loss:

• CUTHBERTSON, Robert A, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 109403, MPK
• FRENCH, William, Stoker 1c, P/KX 710345, DOW
• GOODY, Henry A, Stoker 1c, P/KX 88619, MPK
• HOPGOOD, Leslie R F, Stoker 1c, P/KX 152396, MPK
• JORDAN, Jack, Stoker 1c, P/KX 600989, MPK
• KING, Frank W, Leading Wireman, C/MX 97190, MPK
• MCLEOD, Henry N, Act/Petty Officer Stoker, P/KX 89871, MPK
• OAKLEY, Roy C, Stoker 1c, P/KX 160385, MPK
• PALING, Maurice J, Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 117299, MPK
• STUBBS, James, Act/Engine Room Artificer 4c, P/MX 79900, MPK
• TILLING, Alfred W J, Engine Room Artificer 3c, P/MX 59689, MPK
• WALKER, Percy, Able Seaman, P/JX 189030, MPK
• WILSON, Derrick B, Act/Leading Stoker, P/KX 137209, MPK
• WOOD, Stanley, Cook (S), C/MX 536782, DOW

This made Vestal the sole British ship to be sunk by a kamikaze attack and the final Royal Navy ship to be lost in the Second World War. Further, the clearing operation by Force 63, which returned to Ceylon after Vestal’s loss, was the last offensive operation by ships of the British Eastern Fleet.

Vestal has since become a destination of sorts for respectful Trimix divers.