For info, quite a few of these ships had previously arrived the U.K. with Convoy HX 233 (a couple are also mentioned in HX 229A).
Fjordaas returned to the U.K. already on May 19 with HX 240, while others returned with HX 241, HX 242 or HX 243; see also HX 244 and HX 245 (Dorelian is listed in SC 133, June 5, Dubrovnik and Pacific Shipper in SC 134, June 16, though may have made another voyage in between?).

Br=British, Am=American, Du=Dutch, Norw=Norwegian, Hon=Honduran, Pa=Panamanian, Yu=Yugoslavian.
Joining from: A=Aultbea, O=Oban, C=Clyde portion, B=Belfast, L=Liverpool, M=Milford, I=Iceland

Average speed: 8.61 knots.

The following ships carried passengers:
Tyndareus - 93 passengers (also, 96 tons of explosives).
Port Fremantle - 14 passengers
Corrales - 10 passengers

Daily positions of convoy are available on request via the address provided at the end of this page. Note that Mike Holdoway has plotted its course, his chart can be reached through this page of his website (external link).

* Empire Flint could not maintain speed of 9 1/2 knots in calm weather, and was sent back to Clyde on May 1 in 55 55N 08 19W.
Curacao and Dorelian joined during the first 24 hours.
North King and Brush joined from Iceland at 11:45Z on May 4 in 59 04N 23 14W.
Lady Rodney joined from Newfoundland at 12:30Z in position 45 18N 49 45W on May 12(?) (ref. Keppel's report).

Halifax portion of 8 ships and 2 rescue ships parted company for Halifax at HOMP at 11:30Z on May 14, 43 14N 59 51W.
Stiklestad and Fort Souris parted company for Baltimore at 23:30Z on May 16, 39 50N 71 30W, and Eclipse and Wearfield for Philadelphia at the same time.

The Rescue Vessel Rathlin was on her 12th voyage as Rescue Vessel, having been requisitioned on July 28-1941. She joined from Clyde on Apr. 30 - to Halifax May 15, and subsequently returned to the U.K. with Convoy SC 132 on May 26-1943 - to Clyde June 11. ("Convoy Rescue Ships 1940-1945", Arnold Hague).

The Commodore says
that station keeping was very good indeed "under trying conditions of head sea for several days of the voyage. It was, however, necessary to considerably reduce the speed of the convoy in heavy weather owing to several ships not being properly ballasted".

Visual signalling was "up to the average standard with the exception of the U.S. ships whose standard I do not consider is up to that of the British or other Allied merchant ships in the convoy".

He adds:
"North King omitted considerable smoke, at times voluminous. She reported that it was unavoidable owing to the quality of the coal obtained at Iceland.
Empire Airman developed engine trouble which necessitated her stopping on three occasions and consequent delay to the convoy. Delay was slight on each occasion but the trouble should be investigated and is being reported to N.C.S.O. New York".

See also Commodore's narrative on Page 2.

Escorts:
Local: Kirkella.
Mid-ocean from May 1 to May 12 (B-3 Group): HMS Keppel (S.O.), Escapade, Orchis, Garland, FS Roselys, Renoncule, Lobelia, Aconit, HMT Growler, HMS Daneman.
HMCS Napanee with two ships from Iceland joined the convoy at ICOMP at 11:26 on May 4. HMCS Napanee remained with and formed part of B3 Group as far as Westomp.
Western Local (W-6 Group) from Newfoundland: St. Albans (S.O.), HMCS Trail, HMCS Timmins - relieved Mid Ocean escort at 15:38Z on May 12 (see Keppel's report).

(According to the Commodore the Ocean Escort parted company at 13:00Z on May 12 in 44 59N 50 20W, having been relieved in that position by the W6 Group).

Related external links:
Liberty Ships - Quite a few of the ships listed as American in the table above were Liberty Ships. This website lists them alphabetically.
Empire ships - More information on the Empire ships sailing in this convoy.

Back to Convoy Index