HMS Pelican (L86)

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HMS Pelican (L86) was an Egret-class sloop of the Royal Navy, built by Thornycroft at Woolston. Laid down in September 1937, she was launched in September 1938 and completed in March 1939. Designed as a general‑purpose ship, she was modified during construction to serve as a convoy escort and anti‑submarine vessel.

Pelican started the war with Fishery Protection duties and then joined North Sea convoy defense. She took part in the Norwegian Campaign and was badly damaged in an air raid off Narvik in April 1940. After repairs she returned to escort work, spending much of 1941 under repair again due to enemy action and accidental damage. In 1942 she joined 45 Escort Group, escorting West Africa convoys OS/SL, and helped destroy U‑136 in July 1942. She supported Operation Torch in October 1942 and, after repairs and a refit, became senior officer’s ship to the 1st Support Group, protecting convoys under attack.

In 1943 the group fought around convoy ONS 5 (sinking U‑438) in May and ONS 10 (sinking U‑334) in June. Pelican then patrolled the Gibraltar route with little action before a further refit in March 1944. She joined the 7 Escort Group outside the Bay of Biscay and helped destroy U‑448 in June 1944. Pelican then took part in Operation Neptune, escorting troops and supplies for the Normandy landings, before transferring to the Pacific theatre where she was damaged en route to the Far East.

After the war she served with the Mediterranean Fleet, based in Malta as part of the 2nd Frigate Flotilla, patrolling for illegal immigration before Israel’s founding. She was paid off in 1951, re‑commissioned in 1954, served in the South Atlantic, and finally decommissioned in 1956. Pelican was scrapped in 1958.

Key facts
- Pennant numbers: L86, later U86, then B294; postwar F86
- Displacement: about 1,200 tons; top speed around 19 knots
- Armament: eight 4-inch guns (in four twin mounts) and four 0.5-inch AA guns (one quadruple mount)

Battle honours: five in total. She is credited with destroying four U‑boats: U‑136, U‑438, U‑334 and U‑448.