Cargoes have been extracted from a document received from D. Kindell, based on the late Arnold Hague's database - see his listing for HX 187 at Ships in all HX convoys.

Br=British, Norw=Norwegian, Du=Dutch, Am=American
RV=Rescue Vessel.

According to A. Hague, Ocean Peace returned to port with engine defects. She's listed in HX 188.

*See also Notes for Convoy SC 80.

According to the diary, the following ships left early and joined the convoy at sea:
At 10.05 the British freighter Fort Churchill, and a few minutes later the British Ocean Peace, the American Chant and the Dutch passenger vessel Poelau Roebiah (at 10:22). As mentioned, Ocean Peace returned to port and joined the next convoy.

The remaining ships departed in the following order:
At 10:55 the British freighter Cornwall, followed at 11:12 by Tetela (with a note saying "passengers include 3 women"), then with a few minutes between each ship the following went out:

Empire Lapwing, Nortind, Stigstad, Hopetarn ("B" flag - I believe this means she carried explosives), Bayano (British liner - carrying Airmen), Athelprince, N.T. Nielsen Alonso (Norwegian whale oil factory, bomber, tanks and airplane crates), Leiv Eiriksson (3 circles across stack), California Express, Tankexpress, Wildwood (Only "Wild" left on bow), Primrose Hill (Catapult freighter, NJQ on Hurricane), Empire Foam (Catapult freighter, LUQ on Hurricane), Zaafaran, Empire Falcon, Ocean Vulcan (Lumber), Prins Willem III. At 12:35 Helencrest went out (Catapult freighter, LUD on Hurricane. There's a note saying "Left convoy when off Tower and anchored south of St. George's and went out at 2.15"), then Talisse (passenger vessel, 3 masts, PHWK) and Daghestan (Catapult freighter. Minus her Hurricane). The time for this last ship is given as 1:26.

Zaafaran was on her 13th voyage as Rescue Vessel, having been requisitioned as such in Oct.-1940 (entered service in March-1941 with Convoy OB 301). She had started this voyage from Clyde with Convoy ON 82 to Halifax (Apr 3–Apr. 18) and returned with HX 187 on Apr. 26, staying with it until May 8.

A. Hague names the following escorts (extracted from this list of HX convoy escorts, also received from D. Kindell; dates are European style, day/month/year):
Anchusa - From 29/04/42 to 08/05/42
Butser - From 08/05/42 to 08/05/42
Dahlia - From 29/04/42 to 08/05/42
Hurricane - From 29/04/42 to 07/05/42
Monkshood - From 29/04/42 to 08/05/42
Rockingham - From 29/04/42 to 07/05/42
Roxborough - From 26/04/42 to 29/04/42
Sudbury - From 26/04/42 to 29/04/42
Summerside - From 26/04/42 to 29/04/42
Sunflower - From 29/04/42 to 06/05/42
Wanderer - From 26/04/42 to 29/04/42

Related external link:
The Empire Ships - Empire Lapwing is listed on this page.

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