HMS Oxlip (K123)

HMS Oxlip was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Navy during World War II.

Construction
Oxlip was ordered in July 1939 as part of the Royal Navy’s 1939 War Emergency building programme. She was laid down by A & J Inglis of Glasgow on 9 December 1940, launched 28 August 1941 and completed 28 December the same year. After working up and trials she joined Western Approaches Command for anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort duties.

Service history
From February 1942 onwards Oxlip served with close escort groups on Arctic convoys taking war materiel from the Western Allies to the Soviet Union. In three years Oxlip sailed with 18 Arctic convoys (outbound and homebound), contributing to the safe and timely arrival of more than 300 merchant ships. With the end of hostilities Oxlip was decommissioned and in 1946 she was sold.

Post-war service
In 1946 Oxlip was sold to the Irish Naval Service where she was commissioned as LÉ Maev. She was stricken in March 1972.