Harland and Wolff - Shipbuilding and Engineering Works

The Foylebank was a converted 5,500 ton merchant ship of the Bank Line. Launched in 1930 she was requisitioned in September 1939, shortly after war broke out, and converted into an anti-aircraft ship with 2 pounder pom-poms, .5 inch machine guns and four Twin high angle 4 inch turrets.

She arrived in Portland on the 9th June for work-up followed by anti-aircraft duties.

On the 4th July 1940, whilst the bulk of her crew were at breakfast, unidentified aircraft were reported to the south, but these were believed to be friendlies returning to base. They turned out to be 26 of the German's most feared aircraft, the JU87 Stuka dive bomber, intent on "getting" the Foylebank, a possible snag to their plans to destroy Britain's vital coastal shipping. The ship fought back and 2 possibly 3 stukas were shot down but 22 bombs found their mark and her guns were put out of action. Fires raged, electricity failed and the stricken ship listed to port, shrouded in smoke. She sank on the 5th July 1940.