For info, some of the ships in this convoy had previously arrived the U.K. with HX 219 (see also HX 218)
Note also that a few later returned to the U.K. in Febr.-1943 with HX 226 or HX 228.

Br=British, Norw=Norwegian, Du=Dutch, Am=American, Pa=Panamanian.

Additionally, the American Paramie joined from St. John's, N.F. at 20:00 on Jan. 26, in 43 35N 52 25W.
The American Pontiac joined from Argentia, N.F. at 17:30 on Jan. 27, in 43 25N 56 23W,
and The British Fort Townshend joined from Halifax at 14:30 on Jan. 28, in 43 25N 61 10W.

The convoy had 43 ships, 20 of which were present on arrival at Local Escort Rendezvous.
Average speed: 7.79 knots (daily positions of convoy are available on request via the contact address provided at the bottom of this page).

Ships leaving convoy:
Cape Porpoise, Stanlodge, Empire Envoy, Fort Maurepas, Fort Cataraqui, Bodegraven, Ascot, Clan Farquhar, Thistlemuir and Fort McMurray became stragglers during the nights of Jan 23/24 and Jan. 24/25, due to the bad weather.
Tanafjord, Congonian, Baarn, Diomed, Teucer and Inchanga (all southbound) detached at 20:30 on Jan. 25 in 45 15N 48 27W.
The 2 ships bound for Halifax, Modavia and Gatineau Park, detached at 15:00 on Jan. 28 in 43 24N 61 17W.
Fagerfjell, Naranio, San Veronico, Vav and Clausina, bound for Guantanamo, detached at 22:00 on Jan. 28 in 42 45N 62 30W.
British Pride, bound for Galveston, detached at 22:00 on Jan. 28 in 42 45 62 30W.
Empire Collins parted company during the night of Jan. 29/30 in low visibility.
Manchester Explorer, bound for Philadelphia, detached at 07:00 on Jan. 31 in 39 45N 72 30W.

The Commodore says
that ships kept well together until the night of Jan. 23/24 when a severe gale was encountered. Visibility was low owing to fog and snow until the morning of Jan. 25, when 10 ships had become stragglers. Periods of bad weather and low visibility were frequent during the remainder of the voyage.

The majority of the ships in the convoy were diesel fuelled - smoke control of the remainder was good.

Empire Strength was not detached due to damage to lifeboats and deck fittings.

Empire Gold was not detached because of shortage of fresh water and supply on board being reported as undrinkable.

H. W. Charlton, the Captain of Empire Envoy, wrote a letter on the scattering of this convoy to the Ministry of War Transport, dated Jan. 27-1943, and stating the following:
"I wish to acquaint you of the facts which caused the above convoy to become disorganised, through in my opinion, bad handling and seamanship, and I trust it will be in your power to have commodores of convoys instructed that on the approach of threatening weather they should signal generally to the ships in convoy, and ask them if they think weather conditions require heaving to on a more favourable course, instead of carrying on regardless of weather on a set course and speed.

Leaving U.K. on the 12th January bad weather was experienced more or less throughout, it being the normal weather for the season. On the 23rd January the day opened with the barometer at 28.32 and a N.W. gale blowing and increasing seas and threatening conditions. By afternoon a whole gale was blowing and a terrific sea was running, and the convoy was running in the trough of the sea. After dark the storm was at its height, and I was unable to steer the convoy course and keep convoy speed, although my engine speed was 11 1/2 knots. It appeared that other ships were in similar difficulties. By daylight on the 24th only two ships were in the vicinity. Nos 123 and 55.

Having no rendezvous given I had to make for an intermediate port for instructions, with the resultant loss of time".

Escorts:
Local: HMS Kirkella.
From 12:00 on Jan. 13 in North Channel: HMS Highlander (S.O.), HMS Beverley, HMS Anemone, HMS Asphodel, HMS Abelia (and possibly HMS Coreopsis?).
Relieved at 13:00 on Jan. 24 by: HMS Georgetown (S.O.), HMS Gentian, HMS Heather, HMCS Buctouche, HMCS Timmins in 48 25N 44 45W.
HMCS Saskatoon (S.O.), HMCS Quesnel, HMCS Drummondville joined at 14:30 on Jan. 28 in 43 23N 61 10W, presumably from Halifax.

Air Escort:
Left at 13:45 on Jan. 18 in 60 35N 29 45W, none present on Jan. 16.
Joined at 12:30 on Jan. 27 in 43 25N 55 20W.

Related external links:
Empire Ships - Has more information on the Empire Ships listed in this convoy.
Fort Ships - Also has Park and Ocean ships.
List of eastbound North Atlantic convoys - In chronological order.

All the Norwegian ships are discussed on this website - see alphabet index below.

Back to Convoy Index