Transcribed from several documents received from Roger Griffiths - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.

The ships are listed in the order in which they appear on the various documents.
Crossed out ships did not sail, underlined ships returned to port.

For info, some of the ships in this convoy had previously arrived the U.S. with the westbound Convoy ON 181.

Since all the convoy stations are known, it should be possible to get an idea of what this convoy would have looked like by going to, for instance, this page (similar formation, except HX 241 had 11 columns). Or - print out Mike Holdoway's handy blank form and enter the ships in the appropriate stations.

Notes:
Commodore J. K. Brooke R.N.R. was in Moreton Bay, Vice Commodore Rear Admiral R. M. King R.N.R. was in Esperance Bay.

* The ships that I have included in Convoy SC 132 are ships joining from Halifax only. As can be seen, Jean L-D and Fort Remy are not listed, but probably joined the slower convoy en route.

** American Press is also listed in the slow Convoy SC 133, leaving Halifax on June 5.

The convoy had 44 ships.
Speed: 9.5 knots.

From the Commodore's notes:
Pan-Maine returned to New York p.m. May 26 with boiler defects.
He also mentions a ship (looks like Amherst or similar) that detached for Halifax at 15:10 on May 27. At the same time Jean went into Halifax, being unable to maintain convoy speed due to bad quality fuel (as mentioned, she's listed in Convoy SC 133).
Fort Remy, Jean L-D, Roger Sherman and Empire Mortimer became straggles in fog May 29/31.
Moreton Bay, Esperance Bay, Eros and Contessa detached from main body of convoy at 06:00 on June 6 to proceed at 14 knots. However, at 14:00 on the same day, Contessa detached from this fast portion of convoy and returned to the main body, being unable to maintain the higher speed.

Station keeping was good, particulalry during 6 days of almost continuous fog, the ships keeping well together in spite of many alterations of course and speed.
Visual signalling was also good, with Sun "outstandingly smart at signals".

Moreton Bay was deemed "very suitable as Commodore's ship. Well fitted navigationally, and very efficient personnel".

Escort Vessels:
Local Escort: St. Albans, Trail, Timmins and (illegible) - relieved at 11:15 May 29 by
Mid. Escort: Niagara (S.O.), St. Clair, Quesnel, Chicoutimi - relieved at 16:00 May 31 by
Ocean Escort (Group B 4): Highlander (S.O.), Vimy(?), Asphodel, Pennywort, and Anemone. Clover joined at 21:00 May 30.
Support Group: Starling (S.O.), Kite, Laurel, Woodpecker, Wild Goose joined and formed outer screen at 19:30 on June 2.

All the Norwegian ships sailing in this convoy are listed on this website - see alphabet index below.

Related external links:
Liberty Ships - Some of the ships listed as American in the table above were Liberty ships. This website lists them alphabetically.
This site has more on the the "Fort", "Ocean" and "Park" ships mentioned in this convoy.
Empire Ships listed in alphabetical order. The site also has a section listing the Liberty ships.

Back to Convoy Index