Transcribed from several documents received from Roger Griffiths (Advance Sailing Telegrams and A 1 form) - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.

This convoy has been quite a challenge, in that the names of some of the ships are very difficult to decipher, especially the ones that are crossed out (hence my question marks). It's important to realize that some guessing has taken place, partly with the help of the A1 forms for HX 118 and HX 120, as well as the forms for other later convoys, and partly by comparing with ships found in R. W. Jordan's "The World's Merchant Fleets".

Note that several ships in this convoy were not listed in the Advance Sailing Telegram; they have been named at the end of this table.

Notes:
Commodore Roy Gill was in Tucurinca, Vice Commodore G. G. Roberts in Argos Hill.

The convoy had 34 ships on departure - HX 119B consisting of 19 ships joined at 09:40 on Apr. 13 as per Admiralty orders, so that a total of 53 ships were present at Local Escort Rendezvous. When adding the above 11 ships to all the others that have been given a convoy station in the table above, we get the number 34, so it's my guess that these ships belonged to HX 119A from Halifax. However, I could be wrong because as far as I can tell there are only 16 that have NOT been given a station number, minus Merchant Prince which returned to Halifax, so 3 (or 4) ships seem to be missing from my list.

Lista, Lobos and Robert Mærsk had problems keeping convoy speed - reason unknown.

*
West Amargosa was transferred to the Ministry of War Transport in 1940 - later became Empire Crossbill.
West Wauna was also transferred to MOWT in 1940 - later became Empire Grebe (March 22-1941 according to "The World's Merchant Fleets").
Braddock was transferred to MOWT in 1941 - later became Empire Redshank.
West Totant was transferred to MOWT in 1940 - later became Empire Moorhen.
For more on these ships, see the external link provided below.

Escort Vessels:
HMS Aurania joined at 15:30 on Apr. 6, upon leaving Halifax - parted company at 10:00 on Apr. 15 in 53 27N 32 49W.
HMS Revenge joined at 09:15 Apr. 8 in 42 26N 56 49W - left at 13:45 on Apr. 11 in 44 35N 44 39W.
HMS Montclare joined at 08:40 on Apr. 13 in 49 26N 40 35W - left at 10:00 on Apr. 15 in 53 27N 32 49W.
HMS Norfolk joined at 09:15 on Apr. 14 in 52 35N 38 16W - parted company at 19:35 on Apr. 16 in 53 30N 25 42W.
HMS Havelock and HMS Hurricane joined at 16:30 on Apr. 16 in 53 32N 32 55W - left at 16:00 on Apr. 20 in 56 40N 08 30W.
HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Restigouche joined at 04:00 on Apr. 16 in 53 26N 29 12W - left at 16:00 on Apr. 20 in 56 40N 08 30W.
Other escorts mentioned:
HMCS Chambly, HMCS Orilla, HMS Viscount, HMS Scarborough, HMS Rockingham, HMS Auricula, HMS Hibiscus, HMS Rhododendron, HMS Campanula, HMS Pimpernel, HMS Freesia.

All the Norwegian ships mentioned in this convoy are discussed on this website - they can be found with the help of the index below.

Related external links:
Merchant Navy Sparks - The story of someone who was on board Maasdam, also mentions Convoy HX 119.

Empire Ships

SL Convoys - SL 68 is included.

Back to Convoy Index