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CONVOY HX 91 - Page 2
 Advance Sailing Telegram (w/final destinations)

Convoy HX 91 Cruising Order
Departed Halifax on Nov. 25-1940 and arrived Liverpool on Dec. 11 (Arnold Hague also says 29 ships).
Received, with thanks, from Roger Griffiths (his source: Public Records Office, Kew).

I have added the nationalities with the help of "The World's Merchant Fleets", R. W. Jordan.

Br=British, Norw=Norwegian, Am=American (U.S.), Gr=Greek, Bel=Belgian, Du=Dutch, Sw=Swedish
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
11
Empire Elk
Oban
(Br)
21
Stanwell
Oban
(Br)
31
Maine
Glasgow
(Am)
41
Bellerophon
Liverpool
(Br)
51
Pacific Pioneer
Liverpool
(Br)
61
Comanchee
Mersey
(Br)
71
Silvercedar
Liverpool
(Br)
81
Mokambo
Avonmouth
(Bel)
91
Chama
Avonmouth
(Br)
12
King Frederick
Oban
(Br)
22
Arosa
Oban
(Norw)
32
Dionyssios Stathatos *
Glasgow
(Gr?)
42
San Florentino
Clyde
(Br)
52
Saltwick
Liverpool
(Br)
62
Delfshaven
Oban
(Du)
72
Trekieve
Manchester
(Br)
82
Skiensfjord
Barry
(Norw)
92
Evgenia Chandri
(Gr)
13
British Prince
London
(Br)
23
Sophocles
Newcastle
(Norw)
 33
Onomea
Oban
(Am)		 43
Brynymor
Glasgow
(Br)		 53
Coptic
Clyde
(Br)		 63
Skaraas
Manchester
(Norw)		 73
Pacific
Liverpool
(Sw)		 83
Megara
Manchester
(Br)		 93
Brasil
Belfast
(Norw)
14 24 34
Otina
Oban
(Br)		 44
Chelatros
Glasgow
(Gr)		 54 64 74 84 94

Notes:
Commodore Errol Manners was in Pacific Pioneer, Vice Commodore was C. Kavanagh in Bellerophon, and Rear Commodore N. S. Keay in Empire Elk.

The Dutch Spar is also listed in the Advance Sailing Telegram as part of this convoy, not mentioned on the A 1 form.

* According to R. W. Jordan's "The World's Merchant Fleets" Dionyssios Stathatos lost her rudder on Dec. 11-1939, abandoned the next day and sank. However, the year here appears to be a printing error. The "Allied Convoy System" gives the date as Dec. 12-1940 and adds there were no survivors.

It has been suggested that the British Filleigh may also have sailed in this convoy - I cannot confirm this (she's not mentioned in the Advance Sailing Telegram).

The convoy had 31 ships - 13 sailing from Halifax, 12 from Sydney and 6 from Bermuda. Sydney portion joined at 19:30 GMT on Nov. 27 (instead of prearranged 12:00 GMT), Bermuda portion joined at 16:00 GMT on Nov. 29 (instead of 12:00 GMT Nov. 28).

Commodore says:
"3 ships never sailed from Halifax, and Eleni disappeared during 2nd night off Sable Isl. Spei (? I don't see these 2 ships listed on the form) disappeared during night of 27th Nov. Pacific disappeared during 3rd December. Arosa far back on horizon, seen by Revenge on 3rd."

Commodore's comments on station keeping and signalling:
"Quite good, especially Comanchee, Bellerophon, Silvercedar, San Florentino - good all round
Flags slow at start, improved later. Comanchee, Silvercedar were the best.
Flashing good."

Commodore's comments on voyage:
"A stormy passage - eventually had to heave to at 05:50 on 5th December and remained so for over 48 hours. By then the convoy was scattered. I was only able to regain touch with Comanchee and Coptic - spread out 8 miles apart to sight other ships but no others were seen, and subsequently proceeded to 59N 20W and then to 15N 13W and finally to Butt of Lewis and so (illegible word), just 3 ships - arrived at Bar Light Vessel 17:00 Dec. 11th."

Ocean Escort: HMS Revenge from 13:35 Nov. 24 - parted company at 07:30 on Dec. 4. Commodore says: "HMS Revenge was of the greatest assistance in every way."

More details on the Norwegian ships named in this table can be found in the alphabetical ship lists of this website.

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