The ships denoted * are listed on a document which has been been given convoy designation QP 13U. (The remaining ships appear to have belonged to the Iceland portion).

Br=British, Pa=Panamanian, Am=American, Ru=Russian, Du=Dutch,

The AST has a handwritten note in connection with Empire Stevenson saying "returned Reykjavik".

** Hegira and Kuzbass had originally been in Convoy QP 12.

Off northeast Iceland the convoy split into 2 portions on July 4, with 16 ships for Loch Ewe and 19 for Reykjavik (in 5 columns, escorted by Niger, Hussar, Roselys, Lady Madeleine and St. Elstan).

"Convoys to Russia" states that during the final passage of the Iceland portion, "visibility reduced to one mile and the NE wind increased to force 8; no sights had been obtained for 48 hours. At 1910 the convoy formation was reduced to two columns to pass through the gap inshore of the British minefield off Straumness, and course for this was altered on a DR basis supported by soundings. At about 2200 Niger, who had gone ahead to make a landfall with Hussar as a visual link to the convoy astern, sighted what appeared to be North Cape and ordered a course alteration. In fact Niger had sighted a large iceberg, and at 2240 she blew up and sank just after she had realised her mistake and signalled the Commodore in American Robin (here's a Guestbook message from the son of someone who was on board Niger at the time). In the reduced visibility six merchantmen struck mines, Exterminator*, Heffron, Hybert, Massmar and Rodina sinking and John Randolph being damaged. The remaining escorts entered the minefield to rescue survivors; the rest of the convoy spent the night imagining U boat or a surface attack. Roselys remained in the field for over six hours while picking up 179 survivors. Hussar eventually obtained an accurate fix on the shore line and led the convoy to safety, arriving at Reykjavik on 7 July".

The above incident took place on July 5-1942. All the ships that were sunk had U.S.A. as their final destination.

*According to "Loyd's War Losses" Vol. I, Exterminator (no casualties) did not sink. She was temporarily repaired and proceeded to St. John's. (Later arrived Hampton Roads on Sept. 5-1943 and subsequently broken up at Philadelphia).

Escorts:
June 26-June 28 (Eastern local): Russian destroyers Grozni, Gremyaschi and Kuibyshev, and minesweepers Bramble, Hazard, Leda and Seagull.
June 26-July 1: Submarine Trident
June 26-July 3: Destroyers Inglefield and Intrepid.
June 26-July 5: Minesweeper Niger
June 26-July 7: Minesweeper Hussar, corvettes Honeysuckle, Hyderabad, Roselys, Starwort, AA ship Alynbank, destroyers Achates, Volunteer, Polish Garland. Also, trawlers Lady Madeleine and St. Elstan.
Distant Cover (same as for Convoy PQ 17): Battleships Duke of York, USS Washington, aircraft carrier Victorious, cruisers Cumberland and Nigeria, destroyer screen Ashanti, Blankney, Escapade, Faulknor, Marne, Martin, Middleton, Onslaught, Onslow, Wheatland. Also, USS Mayrant and Rhind.

Destroyer Douglas and escort oiler Gray Ranger joined from PQ 17.

Related external links:
HMS Niger - Note that some of the other escorts for this convoy are also discussed on this site (see bottom of page).

Russian Convoy Series