Clan Macnab collison with Strix
(Convoy SL 68)

Received from Ian Smith, whose uncle, James McCallum was on board (see his Guestbook message).

For info, the following ships were torpedoed in Convoy SL 68:
Andalusian, Tapanoeli, Medjerda, Mandalika, Meerkerk, Benwyvis, Clan Ogilvy, Jhelum and HMS Malaya.

Related external links:
SL Convoys - SL 68 is included, and names of casualties from Clan Macnab are provided. The site adds "At daylight, Clan Macnab reported that she was taking in water and at 13.16 hours on March 18 she was detached to make her way independently for St. Vincent. Shortly afterwards, when she was out of sight of the convoy, she transmitted an SOS signal to say that she was sinking and was taking to the boats. HMS Calendula was dispatched but could find no trace of either the ship or survivors but HMS Crocus had already responded and rescued thirty-six survivors. Another boat with thirty to forty men was under sail making for St. Vincent. The position was 17.13N, 21.22W (E. of the Cape Verde Islands). Sixteen crew members lost their lives. Two crew members are commemorated on Tower Hill, Panel 30 and the Lascar seamen on the Bombay/Chittagong War Memorial" (named at the site, as are casualties of other ships lost in this convoy). Here is A. Hague's listing for Convoy SL 68.

Ships hit from convoy SL-68

Ian says:
The documentation would appear to suggest that the bridge watch on Clan Macnab misread their turn signal and had I known I would have loved to have asked my uncle about it. I notice that the casualty list includes two Indian seacunnys (helmsmen) so it is unlikley that my uncle was at the wheel, but you never know.

Introduction:

On the 12th of March 1941, convoy SL 68 sailed from Sierra Leone bound for Liverpool. Everyone would have been extremely nervous because the incoming convoy escort HMS Malaya had reported sighting the German pocket battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau in the area. On the evening of 17 March 1941 the convoy was attacked by U-Boats U105 and U106. Two ships were sunk and during a subsequent zig zag maneauver, the convoy altered to port with the exception of one vessel, Clan Macnab, which altered to starboard with tragic consequences.

The following text is a transcription of a handwritten lifeboat log kept by one of the survivors of the collision and was given to me by my uncle Mr James McCallum a few months before he died. He served as Able Seaman on Clan Macnab and was one of the survivors onboard the lifeboat and retrieved the document from the bilges before the boat was taken by fishermen. He believed the author to be a navigation apprentice. The original document is a single sheet of lined foolscap paper completely covered on both sides with handwriting. It has been heavily folded and is stained, crumpled, torn and is in places illegible.

I have attempted to represent the original text layout, capitalisation and spelling although the word "anchor" is actually represented throughout the original by the standard seaman's pictogram.

regards

Ian Smith

Log - No. 6 Lifeboat:

MONDAY 17th MARCH 1941
At 8 P.M. two left wing ships; the Tapanoeli and the Andalusian were torpedoed.
At 11.10 P.M. the Norwegian oil tanker SS Strix collided with us. We were hit at No 2 hold below the bridge on the starboard beam. We immediately were ordered to boat stations and stood by to abandon ship. In a little less than half an hour No 2 hold was found to have about 24 feet of water in it. Ship down by the head.

TUESDAY 18th MARCH 1941
We were able to keep station in convoy through out the night and during the following forenoon when No 1 hold was found to be full of water. The master agreed with the Commodore to make for the Cape Verde Isles and endeavour to beach the ship. We actually left the convoy without an escort at 1 P.M. travelling all out towards the Cape Verde Isles.
2.30 P.M. 16" water in No 3 hold so master decided to abandon ship. We abandond ship at 3 P.M. i.e. Four large lifeboats; the port bridge boat was also lowered but not let loose. Two lifeboats were soon waterlogged (3 & 4). The mates (Mr Le Garis) boat went to the assistance of one boat (No 4) and took off 15 of its crew making the compliment of this boat up to ten europeans & twenty five natives.
CLAN MACNAB dived at 4.05 P.M.
Proceeding towards Cape Verde Isles at ? (illegible)

WEDNESDAY 19th MARCH 1941
Pintle on rudder came off at 3 A.M. was repaired by the 4th engineer but owing to being unable to re-ship the rudder we rode to sea anchor till 6.30 A.M. when we made way again.
At 6 P.M. land was spotted ahead. When we came abeam of the light we rode to sea anchor (11.30 P.M.)

THURSDAY 20th MARCH 1941
At 5.30 A.M. we picked up sea anchor and approached the light. We found that the island to be desolate and deserted so the boat was set for St Vincent.
The lighthouse was passed at 7.30 A.M.
At 9.30 A.M. we passed the west point of the island. When we were approximately 12 miles from the island (10.55) a flying boat was sighted circling round the island. He flew off in a North-easterly direction.
During the course of the day we had very fine weather. Wind NE -3- Sea slight - moderate NE swell which was heavy rounding the island.
At 5 P.M the mainsail was dropped for repairs lasting ten minutes. Land was sighted ahead at 6.10 P.M. Course steered for the island was WNW. Crew exceptionally cherry & well behaved under circumstances. Constant bailing throughout the day.

FRIDAY 21st MARCH 1941
Beating a course parallel to a large island we believe to be St Vincent. Abeam of lighthouse on SE and at 7.30 A.M. north of ?
9 A.M. wind dropped to NE force 1-2
2 P.M hailed by fishing boat but couldn't make them understand what we wanted so proceeded.
4.30 P.M hailed by second fishing boat, took one man aboard who directed us into Silvao Bay where all crew landed except two natives who were detailed to look after the lifeboat which was anchored there.
6 P.M Crew taken to Riberia Brava where we were granted all hospitality possible. We spent the night with the head man of the island.

SATURDAY 22nd MARCH 1941
Stores in lifeboat taken out also lifebelts. No 6 lifeboat taken by fishermen to Preguica on the south side of the island. Sau Nicolau was previously mistaken for St Vincent Island. Crew all well on land except for being exhausted and two natives who were previously sick onboard. Survivors received medical attention on coming ashore.

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