HMS Sheffield, Tauranga in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty for sale
HMS Sheffield was launched in 1936 and served in the RN for 30 years, being involved in many WWII operations and surviving that conflict while many other cruisers were lost. Throughout her service the Sheffield's nick-name was"Old Shiny"or Shiny Sheff. This unofficial title arose from the fact that the cruiser was the first major British warship to have fittings traditionaly of brass replaced with stainless steel, this included the ship's bell. Sheffield was one of 10 Town class cruisers to serve during WWII and for several years after that conflict, finally being towed away for breaking up in 1967. The cruiser's WWII battle honours (illustrated at front) included Norway, the Bismark action, many Mediterranean operations including Malta Convoys, Arctic convoys to Russia, covering amphibious landings and the Battle of North Cape, at which the German capital ship Scharnhorst was sunk. The author served on several cruisers, on amphibious operations and aircraft carriers during the 1939-45 war. His account of the Sheffield's long careeer is largely based on recollections, memories and anecdotes from those who sailed on the ship in war and peace, so it is as much the story of those men as it is of the ship and her actions, from which"Old Shiny"did not emerge unscathed. Her most serious damage was, however, inflicted by a mine laid off Iceland which, in March 1942, tore a huge hole in the side and bottom of the ship as well as damaging or destroying vital equipment and machinery. After a classic effort in damage control and temporary repairs Sheffield was able to return to Britain under her own power, with a largely timber patch sealing her damage to make her seaworthy --- but only just. By September the battered cruiser was again"in all respects ready for sea,"having not only been repaired, but refitted with updated equipment and armamant. Following the German surrender the cruiser was being prepared for service against the Japanese in the Pacific. A particularly comprehensive study of"The Life and TImes of Old Shiny."First edition of 1988 from Arms and Armour, 224 pages including bibliography and index, illustrated throughout with b/w photos, several maps. general arrangement profile and plan of ship at front. Blue hard covers are NF, text block NF, no inscriptions. Wrap-round colour art DJ, also NF, carries a dramatic painting by Geoff Shaw showing a camouflaged Sheffield escorting a troop convoy. The jacket has a clear plastic cover, with taped top and lower edging. It is taped to to both boards upper lower edges and to both pastedowns. Size: 25.5cm By 19.5cm
Author
Ronald Bassett
Title
HMS Sheffield
Publisher name
Arms and Armour Press, London
Shipping time
2 - 4 days
Publication year
1988
Edition
First edition
Binding type
Hard cover
Vendor name
BOPBooks
Vendor rating
Key words
World War Two, Royal Navy, Cruiser Sheffield, Post Commissions
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