Crossed out ships did not sail, underlined ships returned to port (except those that are linked, which will automatically be underlined. The Norwegian Bernhard, however, did return).

Br=British, Norw=Norwegian, Am=American (U.S.), Gr=Greek, Du=Dutch, Da=Danish, Lat=Latvian

MoWT=Ministry of War Transport

Groenlo is not mentioned in the AST - she had also been cancelled from SC 27, joined SC 29 (returned to Halifax). Also, Riley, Cressdene and Susan Mærsk are not mentioned in the AST - the latter ship is listed in SC 29, while Riley sailed in HX 120. Cressdene, which is crossed out on the form, did not sail with SC 28 upon departure, but joined from HX 120 later on. See also Commodore's comments in Notes below.

It'll be noticed, when comparing the above with Arnold Hague's listing for SC 28 at ships in all SC convoys, that he has some of the ships in different stations.

Crossed out ships did not sail, underlined ships returned to port (except those that are linked, which will automatically be underlined. The Norwegian Bernhard, however, did return).

The Convoy had 32 ships - 30 were present at rendezvous with Local Escort.

7 knots convoy arranged to make good 6.6 knots - actually made good: 5.8 knots.

The Convoy formed up at 12:30 on Apr. 9; by dusk 30 ships were in station and 2 in sight astern - 11 ships did not sail as arranged.

The weather was "average", but the convoy was 48 hours late.

Cressdene, which had started out in Convoy HX 120, joined SC 28 at 08:00 on Apr. 25 in 61N 24 20W. The Commodore says "Insufficient speed for HX convoy? She made no attempt to go on when HX convoy parted".

With regard to the Norwegian Akabahra and Gezina, he states "showed themselves capable of 8 knots at times but at other times they could not maintain 7 knots". "Akabahra, a careless station keeper sometimes being 6 cables astern of station when convoy was going 6 knots".

Many ships broke down during the passage, some falling out never to be seen again:
At 08:00 on Apr. 13 Runswick dropped astern and out of sight, 42 5N 52 10W. HMS Chitral went back to look for her at noon, but failed to find her. She was searched for on standard route on subsequent days but not seen.

On Apr. 15, after having encountered fog at night, some ships were much out of station, but returning. The Norwegian Bernhard, which had almost regained her station, dropped out of sight at 12:40, but returned at nightfall.
On Apr. 18 the convoy was somewhat scattered by gale. At 13:00, Bernhard dropped out again, having almost regained her station. Convoy steaming at 6 knots.

At 06:00 on Apr. 19, in 52 35N 39 15W, Kisnop signalled slight engine trouble requiring 3 hours to rejoin, but did not return. Chitral went back and returned at dark having seen neither of the missing ships.

The following ships suffered 1 or more breakdowns:
Kisnop (3 and did not return), Sildra (1), Buccinum (4), Bernhard (3 and did not return), Baron Inchcape (1), Navarino (1), Runswick (1 and did not return), Matronna (2 + steering trouble), Anna Bulgari (4), West Amargosa (1), Georgios P. (3 + frequent steering trouble), Aeas (1 + steering trouble), Manatee (2), Embassage (1), Euthalia (1 or 2), Katvaldis (1), Wellfield (1), Akabahra (1), and Gezina (1 - steering gear).

Continue to HMS Chitral's Report

The convoy arrived rendezvous on Apr. 24.

Escorts:
HMS Chitral - left at 15:30 on Apr. 21 in 57 10N 34 55W.
HMS Talisman - Apr. 11-20.
HMS Royal Sovereign - intermittent.
The Commodore also mentions Bulldog and Group ? (15:30 Apr. 21, in 57 10N 34 55W), adding, this escort was not prearranged.
At 21:30 on Apr. 24, in 61 20N 26 40W, HMS Wanderer and No. 5 Group relieved escort.
Chitral's report also mentions HMS Laconia.

A. Hague names the following escorts (extracted from this list of SC convoy escorts, based on Arnold Hague's database, received from D. Kindell; dates are European style, day/month/year):
Bramble - 24/04/41
Chitral - From 09/04/41 to 21/04/41
Dianthus - From 24/04/41 to 01/05/41
Hazard - 24/04/41
Mallow - From 24/04/41 to 26/04/41
Marigold - From 24/04/41 to 28/04/41
Nasturtium - From 24/04/41 to 28/04/41
Periwinkle - From 24/04/41 to 28/04/41
Primrose - From 24/04/41 to 28/04/41
Royal Sovereign - From 13/04/41 to 20/04/41
Scimitar - From 24/04/41 to 28/04/41
Speedy - 24/04/41
Talisman - From 11/04/41 to 20/04/41
Wanderer - From 27/04/41 to 28/04/41

Related external links:
SL Convoys - SL 68 is included.

Empire Ships

Back to Convoy Index