HMS Woodpecker (U08)
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HMS Woodpecker (U08) was a modified, 1,300 ton Royal Navy Black Swan class sloop that fought during World War II. The ship was built by William Denny & Brothers of Dumbarton, Scotland. It was launched on June 29, 1942, and commissioned December 14, the same year.
This sloop participated in the sinking of the following German vessels:
| U-boat | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| U-449 | Near Cape Ortegal, Spain | June 24, 1943 |
| U-462 | Bay of Biscay | July 30, 1943 |
| U-504 | Near Cape Ortegal, Spain | July 30, 1943 |
| U-226 | East of Newfoundland | November 6, 1943 |
| U-762 | North Atlantic | February 8, 1944 |
| U-424 | Southwest of Ireland | February 11, 1944 |
| U-264 | North Atlantic | February 11, 1944 |
In February 1944, the Woodpecker was under the command of Commander H. L. Pryse, RNR, escorting convoy ON 224. On February 20, 1944, she was struck in the stern by an acoustic torpedo launched from the U-256. While being towed toward home, on February 27, 1944 the Woodpecker foundered and sank in an Atlantic storm. The skeleton crew was rescued before the ship went under.
The wreck is located at 48.49N, 22.11W.
