Ship History
Built by Hawthorn Leslie & Co. at Hebburn on Tyne in England. Laid down on March 15, 1933. Launched March 29, 1934. Comissioned November 2, 1934.

Wartime History
May 22, 1940 proceeded to Scapa Flow. On February 6, 1941 left Gibraltar with convoy HG-53 in a feign to fool observers in Spain, then reversed course back to the Mediterranean, and safely returned to Gibraltar, and repairs were completed and escorted several Malta convoys.

On November 29, 1941, the HMS Jupiter and HMS Encounter, detached from the Mediterranean Fleet, joined up with Force G at Colombo, and the five ships sailed later that day. They rendezvoused with HMS Repulse at sea, and set course for Singapore, arriving on December 2.

On February 25, 1942 sailed from Batavia to Soerabaja. as part of the 'eastern striking force' carried out a sweep along the coast of Madoera to intercept Japanese transports reported near Bawean Island, but no contact was made.

On February 26, 1942 returned to Soerabaja and joined the 'combined striking force'. After refueling at 4:15pm, ordered to attack Japanese transports and warships sited 200 miles to the north-northeast, departing at 6:30pm.

Participated in the Battle of the Java Sea on afternoon of February 27, 1942. Encounter also rescued 113 survivors of the HNMS Kortenaer that same day.

Sinking History
On the evening of February 28 she left Surabaya escorting HMS Exeter on what was to have been a round-about route to escape the Java Sea through Sunda Strait. However, on March 1, 1942 the small group was intercepted well to the north of Bawean Island and she was subsequently damaged and sunk 5-10 minutes later by gunfire from the same cruisers and destroyers that sank Exeter. All of the surviving crew became POWs for the remainder of the war.

Shipwreck
Discovered several miles away from the wreck of HMS Exeter in the afternoon of February 21, 2007, by MV Empress and dived by Vidar Skoglie, Phil Yeutter and Kevin Denlay.

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009

60-61m

HMS Encounter Crew List

HMS Encounter POWs at Zentsuji