Transcribed from several original documents received from Tony Cooper (Advance Sailing Telegram) - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.
The station numbers, cargoes for the tankers 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 58 at ships in all SC convoys.

Further details have been added with the help of:
"Convoy Rescue Ships 1940-1945", Arnold Hague
"The World's Merchant Fleets 1939", R. W. Jordan
"Lloyd's War Losses", Vol. I.

Crossed out ships did not sail, underlined returned, except those that are linked, which will automatically be underlined.

See also Convoy ON 30, ON 31, ON 32 and other westbound convoys from this time period.

According to A. Hague, the British Bretwalda, sailing in Convoy HX 163, joined up with SC 58. Also, he says that the Icelandic Katla joined from Iceland together with the Rescue Vessel (again, see his listing for SC 58 at ships in all SC convoys). These ships are not mentioned in the Advance Sailing Telegram.

Notes:
Commodore was in Yearby, Vice Commodore in Empire Razorbill, Rear Commodore in Somme.

The Rescue Vessel Zamalek was also with this convoy for a while. She was on her 13th voyage as such, having started this voyage from Clyde with the westbound Convoy ON 38 on Nov. 19-1941, detached for Iceland Nov. 25, then returned to Clyde with Convoy SC 58, Dec. 16-Dec. 20 - having been delayed in Iceland due to atrocious weather.
The rescue Vessel Toward (on her 16th voyage) had sailed from Iceland on Dec. 12-1941 in order to join Convoy SC 58, but had to return because of the weather. She later arrived Clyde from Reykjavik on Dec. 18. (Toward had started this voyage from Clyde with the westbound Convoy ON 44 on Dec. 7, detached to Iceland Dec. 12).

The Dutch Zypenberg rammend and sank HMCS Windflower, one of the escorts of SC 58, on Dec. 7 with the loss of 23 men on the corvette.

Nidardal was sunk on Dec. 16 - my page about this ship has further details.

Stylianos Chandris, on a voyage from Montreal and Methil Roads for Hull with 7285 tons of grain, struck a mine on Dec. 22, 2 miles 235° from 62D Buoy, Humber. She had a crew of 30, all of whom were saved.

Léopold II, on a voyage from Clarke City and Methil Roads for London with 4500 tons of wet wood pulp, struck a mine and sank on Dec. 23, in 13 fathoms 205° 1/2 mile from No. 56 Buoy, off R. Ouse. She had a crew of 41 including 6 gunners - 33 crew and 2 gunners lost their lives.

According to A. Hague, City of Fort Worth stranded on arrival Iceland. For Merton, he has a note saying "grounded Pluckington Bank, broke back" - no date is given.

The convoy arrived rendezvous on Dec. 15.

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):
Broke - From 15/12/41 to 16/12/41
Buctouche - From 06/12/41 to 15/12/41
Camellia - From 15/12/41 to 18/12/41
Drumheller - From 04/12/41 to 06/12/41
Hepatica - From 06/12/41 to 15/12/41
Kamsack - From 04/12/41 to 06/12/41
Montbretia - From 15/12/41 to 20/12/41
Moose Jaw - From 06/12/41 to 15/12/41
Nasturtium - From 06/12/41 to 07/12/41
Pictou - From 06/12/41 to 15/12/41
Shawnigan - From 04/12/41 to 06/12/41
St. Laurent - From 06/12/41 to 15/12/41
Summerside - From 04/12/41 to 06/12/41
Thunder - From 04/12/41 to 06/12/41
Watchman - From 15/12/41 to 19/12/41
Windflower - From 06/12/41 to 07/12/41

Related external links:
HMCS Windflower

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

Russian Convoy Series - PQ 7B is included.

Back to Convoy Index