May 14-1941:
1700 - Convoy HG 62 formed up in the Straits. City of Dublin was late in sailing, but joined during the night, while Talas, also late in sailing, never caught up.
Escorts were disposed, with HMS Deptford and Coreopsis on the beam of the leading ships of outer columns, and Spiraea astern, while the Dutch submarine O 24 was 3 cables on the port beam of the Commodore's ship (not named).

May 15:
Dawn - Thelma, Hjalmar Wessel, Blairnevis, Mauritz, Fidra and Rose Schiaffino were well astern, and were cautioned by escorts individually by loudhailer.
During the forenoon, emergency turns, fog buoys and A.A. armaments were exercised. Escorts closed in to A.A. stations by day.

May 16:
09:00 - HMS Fleur de Lys joined.
During the forenoon, the Dutch sub dived on both sides of the convoy, for the benefit of A/S vessels, and for ships in the convoy to see what a periscope looked like. Excellent station was kept by this time, day and night.
20:30 - The Spanish liner Ciudad de Sevilla passed astern, steering south, and Spiraea was ordered to investigate and board if necessary (her subsequent report is not available).
O 24 carried out routine dives at 09:30, and the opportunity was taken to exercise 2 escorts each day in holding Asdic contact, as well as in passing bearings and distances to each other. Night searches were carried out every night to a depth of about 8 miles.

May 17:
14:30 - When in 34 18N 13 57W a tanker was seen ahead, steering about 210, and Coreopsis was ordered to close and investigate. Because of the distance and relative speed, she had to fire a shot across the tanker's bows in order to make it stop. The ship was identified as the Spanish Fleet Oiler Pluton, and was allowed to proceed. It was thought that this might be connected with some important Spanish Naval movement, in view of a previously received report of 2 Spanish cruisers off Espichel, steering south, so Coreopsis was detached to the southward to break W/T silence and report the matter, but soon afterwards, news was received that the Spanish cruisers had arrived in Cadiz, and Coreopsis was recalled, the oiler's movements being reported later when the local escort left.

May 18:
P.M. - Dover Hill dropped out with engine trouble, but caught up again the next morning.

May 19:
The Panamanian Csarda had joined the convoy with her upper works completely white, making her very conspicuous at night. After her captain had been made aware of this, he took steps to cover the white paint.

May 20:
07:00 - Fidra dropped out to repack a fuel pump, rejoning shortly afterwards.

May 21 & 22:
The corvettes parted company for Gibraltar P.M. on May 21, carrying out a broad sweep astern of the convoy on their way. Fleur de Lys was instructed to pass a signal from Deptford when she was about 150 miles from the convoy. This was in order to assist the corvette detailed by Bideford in accordance with a signal from C.-in.C. Western Approaches (1221B/21) to find Convoy HG 62. Course was then shaped so as to be exactly on longitude 22 30W, steering 000 all day on the 22nd. However, as the sky was overcast there was no opportunity to check this by observations. Still, Aster was met at 15:00, though she left right away with O 24, to join the Gibraltar bound Convoy OG 62 in daylight (this convoy had departed Liverpool on May 15-1941, arrived Gibraltar on the 29th). She was instructed by Deptford to wait until morning if she failed to join in daylight, rather than attempting to do so in the dark, visibility being no more than 4 miles.

May 23:
Dawn - Mauritz was 5 miles astern of her station, with Switzerland just ahead of her, so convoy speed had to be reduced to enable them to catch up. Both of them stated that they had been going at full speed all night.

May 24, 25 & 26:
18:00 - Thelma reported that she needed a doctor to treat a cut eyelid. As it was considered undesirable to stop (a report had just been received of a U-boat in the vicinity), Deptford signalled instructions for treatment.
During the night of May 24/25 a moderate northwesterly wind blew up, causing Rose Schiaffino to drop out.
During the forenoon of the 25th it was found impossible to steer 035 because the ships carrying iron ore were rolling excessively, so course had to be altered to 000, placing the sea on the port bow. By that time the glass had started to rise, and as the Commodore still expected to make the rendezvous within 6 hours of the appointed time, no signal was made. However, by 22:00 the sea had become worse and it was clear that the convoy would be at least 6 hours late. Also, at this time it was realized that if the German Bismarck should be making for the Bay of Biscay ports, she would pass quite close to HG 62. Judging by the enemy reports received later, she must indeed have passed about 70 miles astern at 07:00 on May 26. W/T traffic was then very great, so it was decided not to break W/T silence, as it was certain that Deptford would have to do so again 12 hours later, in order to report the position, speed and course of the convoy, which was done at 10:01B/26. At 09:35, HMS Rodney and destroyers were sighted; they passed astern of the convoy to the south/eastward. HMS Norfolk was sighted in the afternoon, steaming in the same direction. (These ships were involved in the pursuit of Bismarck).

The local escort joined at 17:00 on May 26, having been delayed by the weather.

The report ends here (HG 62 arrived Liverpool on June 2-1941).

Signed:
Lieutenant Commander G. A. Thring.

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Related external links:
Dutch submarines of the O 21 class - Includes info on HNMS O 24.

See also this website:
O 24

The pursuit of Bismarck

Sink the Bismarck

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