Royal Navy Vessels Lost At Sea - "formally Paid Off" Meaning?

[Oiverbotel]

I feel a bit embarrassed asking such a question: Does anyone know what the term "Formally Paid Off" means when it's listed as a comment next to various Royal Navy Ships lost during WW2?

My guess is that this means HM Government sought recompense from various countries who were complicit in the tragedy to settle not only the physical costs of the vessel and on-board assets, but perhaps honorariums for the families who lost a loved one in the battle?

But I realise simple answers are not always the most appropriate.

I've been looking at:
http://www.naval-history.net/WW2BritishLosses1Major.htm

Thanks!

Ollie

[Mamyalynne]

An explanation of 'Paying off' here, though not in great detail.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_commissioning#Ship_decommissioning

[kvalidir]

I think it relates to official decommissioning- as you get 'paid off pennants' when a ship comes into a dock for the last time.

[kvalidir]

snap mamy :)

[Mamyalynne]

Snap! K :-)

[Oiverbotel]

Mamyalynne and others, thank you very much indeed! My only confusion regarding the 'paid off' had more, perhaps, to do with the fact that these ships were actually 'lost' or destroyed. I'm assuming this means then that the family would have received the sailor's wages until such time as the Royal Navy adjudicated the vessel as officially gone. I just found it a rather unusual term to use when the ships indicated never did return home to bring them to their timely decommissioning.
Thank you for all your help!

Ollie+

[Oiverbotel]

Mamyalynne, My guess is that you've spent a good amount of time researching this for me. I cannot thank you enough! This has been a learning experience. It originated from a weekend walk through a country cemetery where there were numerous graves circa 1943-45, showing individuals who had lost their lives on various Ships and Subs. I simply became fascinated by it all. Again, thank you for all the time you've invested! Well done you!

Ollie