Notes:
Commodore H. C. Birnie, R.N.R. was in Belgian Airman, Vice Commodore was A. Cocks, R.N.R. in Manchester Progress.

(Daily positions of convoy are available on request via the contact address provided at the bottom of this page).

According to the Commodore's notes the convoy had a total of 63 ships. Ships also joined from Newfoundland and Halifax, but I'm not sure wether they are included in the above table. The commodore also mentions Icelandic, but whether this is a ship, or whether he means that an Icelandic portion joined, I'm unable to tell, though Icelandic is spelt with capital letters, as are all other ships.

Roxane and John Walker became detached during the night of Febr. 1/2 during a strong west/northwesterly gale, in approximate position 53 00N 47 40W.
Belorussiya developed engine rouble and became deatched during the night of Febr. 3. She was eventually escorted into St. John's, approx. 47 57N 50 34W.
Gulfgem, when ordered to Guantanamo, reported that she had insufficient fuel and was instead taken on to New York.

Collisions:
Laguna reported having collided with HMS Dahlia at about 23:15 on Jan. 31. Details and cause not known to Commodore. Also, Laguna collided with Abangarez at 23:15 on Febr. 6 in 43 01N 62 39W, during a prearranged alteration of course. (Station for Laguna is given as 72 in Commodore's notes, 81 in his narrative - and Abangarez is said to have been in station 63 at the time). At about the same time and place Coptic (71) collided with Lucellum (52). Lucellum subsequently proceeded to Halifax.

All the Norwegian ships mentioned in this convoy are discussed on this website under their respective letters of the alphabet.

Commodore's Narrative:
On the night of Jan. 31 at about 23:15 Laguna was in collision with HMS Dahlia and both vessels received some damage. The details and cause of this collision are not know to me. Laguna was occupying station 81 at the time, a station from which she had to be removed on account of straggling ahead during dark hours.

On the night of Febr. 6 it was estimated that the convoy would arrive at position X X at 23:00 and accordingly a prearranged alteration of course from 262° to 222° was ordered for that time. As usual the alteration was made by whistle signal at the precise second as shown by chronometer. There was heavy rain but the columns on each side of the Commodore could be clearly seen and in addition dimmed navigation lights and blue shaded stern lights were switched on by the Commodore immediately before the turn was made. Coptic (71), which was slightly astern of station on the starboard side of Commodore (61) repeated the two short blasts and switched on her navigation lights as did all the other leaders; but as the turn was completed the Coptic was observed to cross under the stern of the Commodore and showed up alongside about a cable distant on the port side. The Coptic then again sheered off to port and although this was not known to me at the time she came into collision with No. 52 (Lucellum) in the other column. On the following day the Laguna (72) reported that during the prearranged alteration of course she too had been in collision with Abangarez No. 63, neither of these vessels reported the collision until interrogated by the Commodore as to the obvious damage they had received. The Lucellum was absent from convoy and as the Coptic could give no information as to the damage she had sustained, there was considerable anxiety about her until a message was received that she had arrived in Halifax.

The weather throughout was bad and W.N.W. gales prevailed throughout most of the passage. The convoy steamed through considerable quantities of light field ice off the Newfoundland Coast. There was no enemy action.

Since arrival at New York the Commodore has interviewed Captain Charles Wood of the Coptic and Captain S. C. Grant of the Laguna and it is confirmed that the facts are as stated in the above report. There is however, reason to believe that the Laguna came into collision with the Abangarez through trying to follow the stern light of the Coptic.

Escorts:
Ocean - from Oversay at 09:30 Jan. 24 to 46 20N 52 00W at 08:00 Febr. 4:
HMS Kale, Watchman, Rockingham, Dahlia, Meadowsweet, Monkshood and Wallflower.
HMCS Hamilton, Dundas, Gananoque and Brantford.
Halifax escort - from 17:00 Febr. 3 in 47 57N 50 34W to HOMP 43 05N 61 32W at 16:00 Febr. 6:
HMCS Trail, Timmins, Buctouche and Medicine Hat.