Transcribed from several documents received from Tony Cooper (Advance Sailing Telegram) - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.
The station numbers and names of escorts have been extracted from documents recived from Don Kindell, based on the late Arnold Hague's database - see his listing for SC 52 at ships in all SC convoys.

Crossed out ships did not sail, underlined returned (the convoy suffered a heavy U-boat attack soon after sailing, and was therefore ordered to return to Sydney, C.B., after circumnavigating Newfoundland).

Further details have been added with the help of:
"Axis Submarine Successes of World War Two", Jürgen Rohwer
"The World's Merchant Fleets 1939", R. W. Jordan
"Lloyd's War Losses", Vol. I.

MoWT = Ministry of War Transport

Notes:
* Stalowa Wola and British Renown show up twice in the Advance Sailing Telegram. The second time they both have the notation "re-instated by 2337Z/20". British Renown is crossed out the first time, then listed as returned to Sydney the second time, as can be seen in the above table.

Ships sunk - all on Nov. 3-1941 (number of casualties varies according to source):

Gretavale, on a voyage from Baltimore for Loch Ewe (via Sydney, C.B.) with a cargo of 6700 tons of steel and 17 trucks, was sunk early in the morning hours by U-202. She had a crew of 42 and 5 gunners, 1 crew died, 36 missing, 5 saved, 5 gunners missing.

Flynderborg, on a voyage from Parrsboro, N.S. for London (via Sydney) with 2125 tons of lumber, was also sunk by U-202 that morning. She had a crew of 22 and 2 gunners, 3 crew died.

That afternoon, Everoja, on a voyage from St. John, N.B. for Dublin with 6401 tons of wheat, was sunk by U-203 - She had a crew of 39 and 2 gunners, all of whom survived.

Empire Gemsbuck, on a voyage from Philadelphia for Londonderry (via Sydney, C.B.) with 6200 tons of general cargo, which included machinery, was also sunk by U-203 in this attack. Forepart blew up, after part was not seen to sink. She had a crew of 37 and 6 gunners, all of whom survived.

Other losses:
Marouko Pateras, stranded in fog at Double Is., Labrador on Nov. 3. There were no casualties. Refloated Nov. 5, sank 2 miles southwest of Double Is.

Empire Energy, ran ashore at Big Brook on Nov. 4, 11 miles west of Cape Norman, Belle Isle Straits, N.S, total loss - there were no casualties.

A. Hague names the following escorts (extracted from this list of SC convoy escorts, received from D. Kindell; dates are European style, day/month/year):
Battleford - From 29/10/41 to 01/11/41
Broadway - From 01/11/41 to 03/11/41
Buctouche - From 01/11/41 to 03/11/41
Burwell - From 02/11/41 to 03/11/41
Cobalt - From 02/11/41 to 03/11/41
Dunvegan - From 29/10/41 to 01/11/41
FS Aconit - From 01/11/41 to 04/11/41
Galt - From 01/11/41 to 03/11/41
Nasturtium - From 01/11/41 to 05/11/41
Sorel - From 29/10/41 to 01/11/41
Windflower - From 01/11/41 to 03/11/41

Related external links:
The attack on Gretavale (w/picture of ship)
The attack on Flynderborg (w/picture of ship)
The attack on Everoja
The attack on Empire Gemsbuck

The Empire Ships - Provides more information on the Empire Ships sailing in this convoy.

Russian Convoy Series - PQ 7B is included (and as can be seen, Empire Redshank is listed).

Back to Convoy Index