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18 Jan 1945

Convoy CU 55.

This convoy departed New York on 18 January 1945.

It was made up of the following ships (New York Section);
Aiken Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Argentina (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Briar Creek (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), California Express (Norwegian, 3649 GRT, built 1934), Camp Defiance (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Cape Mohican (American, 5094 GRT, built 1942), Chadd's Ford (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Churubusco (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Darro (British, 9733 GRT, built 1943), De Soto (American, 6165 GRT, built 1944), Delaires (American, 6509 GRT, built 1942), Drewrys Bluff (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Edge Hill (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Empire Paladin (British (tanker), 8141 GRT, built 1944), Empire Salisbury (British (tanker), 8199 GRT, built 1944), Esso Hartford (American (tanker), 9887 GRT, built 1942), Eufaula Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Exanthia (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Exceller (American, 6597 GRT, built 1941), Fisher's Hill (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Golden Eagle (American, 6180 GRT, built 1943), Golden Fleece (American), 8258 GRT, built 1944), Marine Devil (American, 11757 GRT, built 1944), Marine Dragon (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Marine Raven (American, 11757 GRT, built 1943), Martin Bakke (Norwegian, 5484 GRT, built 1936), Midnight (American, 8258 GRT, built 1940), Mormacmoon (American, 7939 GRT, built 1940), Paulus Hook (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Pine Bluff (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Queenston Heights (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943), Rich Mountain (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), San Pasqual (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Santa Maria (American, 6507 GRT, built 1944), Sea Quail (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Seatrain Lakehurst (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Seatrain Texas (American, 8108 GRT, built 1940), Stanvac Calcutta (American (tanker), 9933 GRT, built 1944), Talisman (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943).

The battleship HMS Nelson (Capt. C. Caslon, CBE, RN) was also taking passage to the U.K. in this convoy having completed her refit in the U.S.A.

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS Mayo ( T/Cdr. A.D. Kaplan, USN, with COMTASKGROUP 61.3, T/Capt. H.H. Connelley, USN on board) and the escort destroyers USS Eisner (Lt. D.H. Lay, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 55, Cdr. W.A. Sessions, USNR on board), USS Garfield Thomas (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Werner, USN), USS Wingfield (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Jeorg, Jr., USNR), USS Rinehart (Lt.Cdr. P.W. Crouch, Jr., USN) and USS Roche (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Laidley, USNR).

Around 0915Q/19, the Boston Section of four ships joined. [We have been unable to find out which ships sailed from Boston, the four ships in question are therefore included in the New York Section.]

The Boston Section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Cates (Lt. T.N. Broaddus, USNR), USS Gandy (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Brooke, Jr., USNR), USS Earl K. Olsen (Lt.Cdr. W.F. DeLong, USNR) and USS Thornhill (Lt. E.T. Mckeithen, Jr., USNR).

At 0818Q/20, the Marine Devil parted company with the convoy with engine trouble. She returned to the U.S.A. escorted by USS Rhinehart. They arrived off New York on 23 January. USS Rhinehart then proceeded to the U.K. independently arriving at Liverpool on 31 January 1945.

Around 1015N/25, the convoy was divided into two sections in approximate position 47°00'N, 26°00'W. This was earlier then scheduled due to reported enemy submarine activity in U.K. waters.

English Channel Section

This section was made up of the following ships;
Aiken Victory, Argentina, Cape Mohican, De Soto, Edge Hill, Empire Salisbury, Eufaula Victory, Exanthia, Exceller, Golden Fleece, Marine Dragon, Marine Raven, Midnight, Mormacmoon, Pine Bluff, Rich Mountain, Santa Maria, Sea Quail and Seatrain Texas.

HMS Nelson was also with this section.

The English Channel section was escorted by USS Eisner, USS Garfield Thomas, USS Roche and USS Earl K. Olsen.

Around 1305A/27, 'Force 26' joined, which was made up of the destroyers ORP Blyscawica (Cdr. L. Lichodziejewski), HrMs Van Galen (Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) and the escort destroyers HMS Melbreak (A/Lt.Cdr. G.J. Kirkby, DSC, RN) and HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN).

Around 0945A/28, ' Force 26 ' parted company after ships from the 26th Escort Group had joined, these were the frigates HMCS Beacon Hill (T/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, RCNVR), HMCS Montreal (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.L. Campbell, RCNVR) and HMCS New Glasgow (T/Lt.Cdr. R.M. Hanbury, RCNVR). The frigate HMS Spragge (Lt. W.W. Muir, RN) and HMS Waldegrave (Lt. T. Hay, RN) also joined.

The straggling Fisher's Hill and her escort, USS Thornhill was to overtake the English Channel Section.

Around 1315A/28, HMS Nelson was detached to proceed to Portsmouth escorted by HMS Spragge.

Around 1340A/28, the Southend Section was detached. These were the , , and . They were escorted by USS Garfield Thomas and USS Earl K. Olsen.

Around 1600A/28, the convoy arrived in the Solent.

Irish Sea Section

The other section proceeded towards the Irish Sea and was made up of the remaining ships and the remaining escorts.

Around 0915A/28, the Clyde Section was detached escorted by USS Cates.

Around 1300A/28, the frigates HMS Duckworth (Cdr. R.G. Mills, DSO, DSC, RN) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) joined.

Around 1445A/28, the Bristol Channel Section was detached escorted by USS Wingfield and USS Gandy.

Around 1620A/28, HMS Duckworth and USS Rowley parted company.

Around 2000A/28, the remaining ships arrived off the Bar Light Vessel near Liverpool.

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