Hull Number: DE-266
Launch Date: 04/22/1943
Class: EVARTS
EVARTS Class
Namesake: THOMAS BLADEN CAPEL
THOMAS BLADEN CAPEL
Wikipedia (as of 2024)
Admiral Sir Thomas Bladen Capel GCB (25 August 1776 – 4 March 1853) was an officer in the British Royal Navy whose distinguished service in the French Revolutionary War, the Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 earned him rapid promotion and great acclaim both in and out of the Navy. He was also a great friend of Admiral Nelson and can be considered a full member of Nelson’s “band of brothers”.
Disposition:
At 14.14 hours on 26 December 1944 Capel and the rest the Escort Group were patrolling 10 nmi (19 km; 12 mi) east-northeast of Cherbourg when the U-486 sighted the group and fired three T5 torpedoes; one of which hit Capel and another Affleck. Affleck was towed to port, but declared a total loss, while Capel sank 27 Dec 1944 at position 49°50′N 1°41′W. The survivors were picked up by American MTBs and taken to Cherbourg. Her commander, Lieutenant B.G. Heslop, DSC, eight officers, and 67 men were lost.