in the autumn of 1941, Wells returned to convoy escort duty. Wells was modified for trade convoy escort service by removal of three of the original 4"/50 caliber guns and one of the triple torpedo tube mounts to reduce topside weight for additional depth charge stowage and installation of Hedgehog anti-submarine mortars. On 16 January 1942, she intercepted an SOS from SS R. J. Cullen—an American merchantman which had run aground on the southeast side of Barra Island, in the Outer Hebrides, west of Scotland. Heavy seas initially made launching a boat a virtual impossibility, but Wells stood by until lifeboats and tugs arrived and transported the steamer's crew safely ashore. While escorting two transports later that spring, Wells and were bombed by German aircraft west of the Faroe Islands, but escaped damage. During November, Wells conducted convoy escort operations with Convoy KX-6, supporting Operation "Torch", the invasion of North Africa, and returned to the United Kingdom in December with Convoy MKF-3 to resume escort duties with Iceland-bound convoys. After serving another tour of convoy escort and minelaying escort duties, Wells was transferred to Rosyth in August 1943 and operated with the Rosyth Escort Force, screening coastwise convoys between the Firth of Forth and the Thames estuary. Early in 1945, after refitting at the Clyde in late 1944, she became a target ship for aircraft training with the Western Approaches Command, a role in which she served until reduced to reserve status at Greenock after World War II, in mid-1945. Decommissioned in July 1945, Wells was subsequently scrapped at Troon, on 24 July 1945. Notes References External links NavSource Photos Wickes-class destroyers Ships built in Charleston, South Carolina 1918 ships Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy Town-class destroyers of the Royal Navy Town-class destroyers converted from Wickes-class destroyers World War II destroyers of the United Kingdom