HMS Biter (P270)

The first Biter was a gun boat with 12 guns. Built by Wells of Rotherhithe, she was launched in April 1797 and saw five years of Naval Service before being sold.

The second Biter was built by Wallis, Blackwall, and launched in July 1804. Unfortunately she was wrecked near Calais 16 months later.

The third Biter saw action during the bombardment of Sveaborg in August 1855. She was a ‘Dapper’ class wood steam boat, and saw 10 years service before being sold as a coal hulk.

The fourth HMS Biter was a 8200 ton Escort Carrier which saw active service in WW2. Built in Pennsylvania in December 1940, she was transferred to the RN in May 1942 on Lend-Lease.

Carrying 15 aircraft, the fourth HMS Biter's first action was during Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa.

In March 1943 HMS Biter was seconded to the Fifth Escort Group in the North Atlantic and was instrumental in sinking U203 with her embarked swordfish aircraft.

In August 1944, HMS Biter suffered a major fire and played no further part in the war. In 1945 she was sold to the French Navy as Dixmude and served until 1966.

The present HMS Biter is the fifth Ship to bear the name. She was built by Watercraft in Shoreham, launched in 1985 and operated by the Royal Naval Reserve in Liverpool.

In 1990 HMS Biter was transferred to Manchester and Salford URNU.