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Notable events involving Dunvegan Castle include:

The page of HMS Dunvegan Castle was last updated in February 2023.

20 Dec 1939
Around 1200Z/20, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) is commissioned at Belfast having completed her conversion to armed merchant cruiser. (1)

23 Dec 1939
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) conducted compass swing and gunnery trials in Belfast Lough following which she departed for Portsmouth. (1)

25 Dec 1939
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Portsmouth from Belfast. (1)

1 Jan 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) conducted D/F calibration trials off Portsmouth. (2)

2 Jan 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) proceeded from Portsmouth to Portland where she was to work-up. (2)

3 Jan 1940
HMS H 50 (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.R.G. Harvey, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Portland with HMS Viviana (Skr. G.L. Olesen, RNR) and also with HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN).

Later in the afternoon HMS Kelvin and HMS Kimberley escorted the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) which was conducting gunnery exercises off Portland. (3)

6 Jan 1940
During the morning, HMS Kelvin (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Machin, RN) and HMS Kimberley (Lt.Cdr. R.G.K. Knowling, RN), screened the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (Capt.(Retd.) A.G. Harris, RN).

In the middle of the day they screened the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN) during her gunnery exercises in the first part of the afternoon.

Later in the afternoon they screened the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) during her gunnery exercises. (4)

8 Jan 1940
Around 2215Z/8, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Portland for Plymouth. (2)

9 Jan 1940
Around 0745Z/9, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Plymouth from Portland.

Around 1815Z/9, after having embarked stores, she departed Plymouth for Freetown via Dakar. She is to join the South Atlantic Station. (2)

16 Jan 1940
Around 1115N/16, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Dakar from Plymouth. (2)

17 Jan 1940
Around 1730N/17, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (2)

19 Jan 1940
Around 0845N/19, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (2)

24 Jan 1940

Convoy SL 18.

This convoy departed Freetown on 24 January 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Ardanbhan (British, 4980 GRT, built 1929), Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917), Cape Nelson (British, 3807 GRT, built 1929), Chulmleigh (British, 5445 GRT, built 1938), Clan MacPhee (British, 6628 GRT, built 1911), Clan Matheson (British, 5613 GRT, built 1919), Dalveen (British, 5193 GRT, built 1927), Delane (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938), Henry Stanley (British, 5026 GRT, built 1929), Lafian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Llanberis (British, 5055 GRT, built 1928), Port Denison (British, 10334 GRT, built 1918), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), St. Elwyn (British, 4940 GRT, built 1938), Tregenna (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919), Umberleigh (British, 4950 GRT, built 1927) and Wentworth (British, 5212 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN).

The St. Elwyn returned to Freetown with defects on 27 January 1940.

Around 1045Z/8, convoy SLF 18, made up of the transports Jonathan Holt (British, 3793 GRT, built 1938), Natia (British, 8715 GRT, built 1920), Orestes (British, 7748 GRT, built 1926) and Surrey (British, 8581 GRT, built 1919) merged with convoy SL 18. Also the escort of convoy SLF 18, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) joined.

At 0830Z/9, the escort was turned over to the destroyer HMS Windsor (Lt.Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN). The armed merchant cruisers both parted company to proceed to Dakar.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 12 February 1940.

28 Jan 1940

Convoy SLF 18.

This convoy departed Freetown on 28 January 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Jonathan Holt (British, 3793 GRT, built 1938), Natia (British, 8715 GRT, built 1920), Orestes (British, 7748 GRT, built 1926) and Surrey (British, 8581 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN).

Around 1045Z/8, the convoy merged with convoy SL 18. [For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy SL 18 ' for 24 January 1940.]

15 Feb 1940
Around 0930N/15, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Bulolo (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty. (5)

17 Feb 1940
Around 1800N/17, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Bulolo (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (5)

19 Feb 1940
Around 0930N/19, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and HMS Bulolo (A/Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Petrie, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (5)

27 Feb 1940

Convoy SL 22.

This convoy departed Freetown on 24 January 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Alfred Jones (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Anglo Saxon (British, 5596 GRT, built 1929), Bruyère (British, 5335 GRT, built 1919), Dunstan (British, 5149 GRT, built 1925), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Harpalion (British, 5486 GRT, built 1932), Imperial Valley (British, 4573 GRT, built 1924), Lalande (British, 7453 GRT, built 1920), Liberian (British, 5129 GRT, built 1936), Mabriton (British, 6694 GRT, built 1920), Margalau (British, 4541 GRT, built 1926), Monkleigh (British, 5203 GRT, built 1927), Nurtureton (British, 6272 GRT, built 1929), Richard de Larrinaga (British, 5358 GRT, built 1929), Trelissick (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919) and West Wales (British, 4353 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN).

Around 1030Z/11, convoy SLF 22, made up of the transports Buteshire (British, 6590 GRT, built 1912), Canonesa (British, 8286 GRT, built 1920), Corrientes (British, 6863 GRT, built 1920), Devon (British, 9036 GRT, built 1915), Idomeneus (British, 7792 GRT, built 1926), Nagara (British, 8791 GRT, built 1919) and Royal Star (British, 7900 GRT, built 1919) merged with convoy SL 22. Also the escort of convoy SLF 22, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN) joined.

Around 1107Z/11, HMS Dunvegan Castle parted company with the convoy.

Around 0700N/12, HMS Mooltan turned over the convoy to the local escort made up of the sloop Rochester and the destroyer HMS Venetia (Lt. J.H. Eaden, DSC, RN) and the sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN).

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 15 March 1940.

19 Mar 1940
Around 1015N/19, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty. (6)

22 Mar 1940
Around 1730N/22, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN) and HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (7)

23 Mar 1940
Around 1030N/23, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Mooltan (Capt.(Retd.) G.E. Sutcliff, RN) and HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (7)

30 Mar 1940

Convoy SL 26.

This convoy departed Freetown on 30 March 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Barbara Marie (British, 4223 GRT, built 1928), Chelatros (Greek, 3489 GRT, built 191), Cliftonhall (British, 5063 GRT, built 1938), Congonian (British, 5065 GRT, built 1936), Coronda (British ((whale oil) tanker, 7503 GRT, built 1899), Delambre (British, 7032 GRT, built 1917), Iddesleigh (British, 5205 GRT, built 1927), Janeta (British, 4312 GRT, built 1929), Kayeson (British, 4606 GRT, built 1929), Marlene (British, 6507 GRT, built ), Navarino (British, 4841 GRT, built 1937), Norman Star (British, 6817 GRT, built 1919), Ramillies (British, 4553 GRT, built 1927) and Sambre (British, 5260 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Freetown to the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (Capt.(Retd.) C.W.E. Trelawny, RN).

The Coronda returned to Freetown later on the 30th being unable to keep up with the convoy.

The (whale oil) tanker Peter Bogen (British, 9741 GRT, built 1925) departed Freetown later on the 30th to overtake and join the convoy at sea.

The transport Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and (whale oil) tanker Uniwaleco (British, 9755 GRT, built 1905) departed Freetown on 31 March to overtake and join the convoy at sea. They were escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN).

The transport Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937) departed Dakar on 1 April 1940 to join the convoy at sea.

The transport Asphalion (British, 6274 GRT, built 1924) departed Freetown on 2 April 1940 to overtake and join the convoy at sea.

Around 1700A/12, HMS Ranpura parted company.

Around 1930A/12, the sloop HMS Leith (Cdr. G.R. Waymouth, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0730A/13, the destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Dunvegan Castle then parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 15 March 1940.

14 Apr 1940
Around 2110A/14, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) dropped anchor in Belfast Lough. She proceeded to Belfast the following day where she was taken in hand for a short refit at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard. (8)

19 Apr 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) is docked at Belfast. (8)

24 Apr 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) is undocked. (8)

1 May 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) conducted compass swing trials in Belfast Lough on completion of which she departed for Dakar. (9)

3 May 1940
HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) made a short stop at Falmouth to land a sick crewmember before continuing her passage to Dakar. (9)

10 May 1940
Around 1115Z/10, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Dakar from Belfast (via Falmouth). (9)

14 May 1940
Around 1600N/14, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (9)

16 May 1940
Around 0730N/16, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (9)

17 May 1940

Convoy SL 32.

This convoy departed Freetown on 17 May 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Ashworth (British, 5227 GRT, built 1920), Aymeric (British, 5196 GRT, built 1919), Bretwalda (British, 4906 GRT, built 1939), Carras (Greek, 5234 GRT, built 1918), Chr. Knudsen (Norwegian, 4904 GRT, built 1925), City of Nagpur (British, 10146 GRT, built 1922), Clan MacTavish (British, 7631 GRT, built 1921), Fresno Star (British, 7998 GRT, built 1919), Henry Stanley (British, 5026 GRT, built 1929), King Alfred (British, 5272 GRT, built 1919), Lafian (British, 4876 GRT, built 1937), Meriones (British, 7557 GRT, built 1922), Oakdene (British, 4255 GRT, built 1935), Strombus (Norwegian (whale factory ship), 6549 GRT, built 1900), Swinburne (British, 4659 GRT, built 1917), Trelawny (British, 4689 GRT, built 1927) and Trevaylor (British, 5257 GRT, built 1940).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN).

On 18 May 1940 the transports Coracero (British, 7252 GRT, built 1923) and Stirlingshire (British, 6022 GRT, built 1928) left Freetown to overtake and join the convoy. They joined around noon on 22 May.

On 19 May 1940 the transports Llandovery Castle (British, 10609 GRT, 1925) and Nalon (British, 7222 GRT, 1915) left Freetown to overtake and join the convoy. Llandovery Castle joined around noon on 22 May. Nalon joined around noon on 23 May.

On 21 May 1940, the transport Spero (Norwegian, 3619 GRT, built 1919) left Dakar to join the convoy.

Around 1830N/30, the sloop HMS Folkestone (Lt.Cdr. C.F.H. Churchill, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 0615N/31, the sloop HMS Aberdeen (Cdr. H.P. Currey, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Dunvegan Castle then parted company with the convoy.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 June 1940.

7 Jun 1940
Around 0730Z/7, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Dakar from convoy escort duty. (10)

10 Jun 1940
Around 1700N/10, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Dakar for Freetown. (10)

12 Jun 1940
Around 0930N/12, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from Dakar. (10)

15 Jun 1940

Convoy SL 36.

This convoy departed Freetown on 15 June 1940.

It was made up of the following transports; Agapenor (British, 7391 GRT, built 1914), Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Baron Elgin (British, 3942 GRT, built 1933), Baron Semple (British, 4573 GRT, built 1939), Bencruachan (British, 5920 GRT, built 1928), Benvrackie (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Blairclova (British, 5083 GRT, built 1938), Boma (British, 5408 GRT, built 1920), British Zeal (British (tanker), 8532 GRT, built 1937), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), City of Melbourne (British, 6630 GRT, built 1919), Clan Ogilvy (British, 5802 GRT, built 1914), Clearton (British, 5219 GRT, built 1919), Corinaldo (British, 7131 GRT, built 1921), Delfshaven (Dutch, 5281 GRT, built 1930), Derrynane (British, 4896 GRT, built 1938), East Wales (British, 4358 GRT, built 1925), Framlington Court (British, 4888 GRT, built 1924), Homeside (British, 4617 GRT, built 1924), Ilvington Court (British, 5187 GRT, built 1919), Kastelholm (Finnish, 5417 GRT, built 1907), Mount Kitheron (Greek, 3876 GRT, built 1912), Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924), Peru (British, 6569 GRT, built 1916), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929), Royal Emblem (British, 4900 GRT, built 1940), Sandanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9432 GRT, built 1938), Silverlarch (British, 5064 GRT, built 1924), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Tuva (Dutch, 4652 GRT, built 1935), Uranienborg (British, 5257 GRT, built 1940) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN).

On 16 June 1940, the transports Avelona Star (British, 13376 GRT, built 1927), Beignon (British, 5218 GRT, built 1939), Clan Murdoch (British, 5950 GRT, built 1919), Godfrey B. Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and Slemmestad (British, 4258 GRT, built 1928) departed Freetown to overtake and join the convoy. The Godfrey B. Holt and Beignon joined the convoy around 0900N/19. The Clan Murdoch around 0730N/20. [There is no mention of the Avelona Star and Slemmestad joining in the logbook of HMS Dunvegan Castle.]

On 16 June 1940, the Clearton and Homeside straggled from the convoy due to bad coal. They were unable to do more then 8 knots. Apparently the later rejoined the convoy.

From Dakar three more transports were sailed to join the convoy, these were the Belmoira (Norwegian, 3214 GRT, built 1928), Lafonia (British, 1961 GRT, built 1911) and Orari (British, 10350 GRT, built 1931). The last two of these joined the convoy around 1300N/18. [There is no mention of the Avelona Star and Belmoira joining in the logbook of HMS Dunvegan Castle.]

Shortly after 1000Z/30, the Clan Ogilvy was torpedoed and damaged by the German submarine U-65. The damaged ship proceeded to Falmouth escorted by the destroyer HMS Vesper (Lt.Cdr. W.E.F. Hussey, DSC, RN) and corvette HMS Gladiolus (Lt.Cdr. H.M.C. Sanders, RNR). U-65 made two more attacks on the convoy firing single torpedoes but both missed.

Around 1415Z/30, the destroyers HMS Windsor (Cdr. P.D.H.R. Pelly, RN) and HMS Vesper joined the convoy.

Shortly after 2030Z/30, the Avelona Star was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-43. Survivors were picked up by the Beignon (82) and HMS Dunvegan Castle (2). Following the attack HMS Dunvegan Castle dropped some depth charges.

Around 0200Z/1, the Beignon was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-30. Survivors were picked up by HMS Windsor and HMS Vesper.

Shortly before 1200Z/1, the Clearton was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-102. Survivors were picked up by HMS Windsor and HMS Vesper. The destroyer HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) meanwhile had also arrived in the area and depth charged an A/S contact resulting in the sinking of U-102.

HMS Dunvegan Castle parted company with the convoy around 1455Z/1.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 3 July 1940.

9 Jul 1940
Around 1845Z/9, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (11)

9 Jul 1940

Convoy SL 39.

This convoy departed Freetown on 9 July 1940.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Alioth (Durch, 4583 GRT, built 1937), Athelknight (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1930), Borgland (Norwegian, 3636 GRT, built 1918), British Advocate (British (tanker), 6994 GRT, built 1922), British Strength (British (tanker), 7139 GRT, built 1931), Caduceus (British, 4364 GRT, built 1927), City of Dundee (British, 5273 GRT, built 1921), Clan MacIndoe (British, 4635 GRT, built 1920), Clan MacIver (British, 4500 GRT, built 1925), Clan Matheson (British, 5613 GRT, built 1919), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Elg (British, 4014 GRT, built 1930), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Henzada (British, 4161 GRT, built 1934), Kioto (British, 3297 GRT, built 1918), Lalande (British, 7453 GRT, built 1920), Limbourg (Belgium, 2396 GRT, built 1938), Makalla (British, 6677 GRT, built 1918), Malaya (British, 8654 GRT, built 1921), Marsa (British, 4405 GRT, built 1928), Merchant (British, 4615 GRT, built 1934), Mount Athos (Greek, 3578 GRT, built 1913), Navarino (British, 4841 GRT, built 1937), Olga S. (British (former Danish), 2252 GRT, built 1938), Onoba (British (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Orfor (British, 6578 GRT, built 1921), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937), Salamaua (British, 6754 GRT, built 1920), Samnager (Norwegian, 4276 GRT, built 1918), Scorton (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Sheaf Holme (British, 4814 GRT, built 1929), Sydland (Swedish, 5134 GRT, built 1920), Tewkesbury (British, 4600 GRT, built 1927), Tigre (Norwegian, 5498 GRT, built 1926) and Trevalgan (British, 5299 GRT, built 1937).

The convoy departed Freetown around 0600N/9, seven of these transports sailed around 1800N/9 to overtake and join the convoy at sea.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Corfu (Capt. W.G. Agnew, RN).

At 0302N/10, in bad weather, HMS Hermes (A/Rear-Admiral R.F.J. Onslow, DSC, MVO, RN) and HMS Corfu collided with each other. The ships got stuck together and only came loose around 0520N/10. Most of the crew of the heavily damaged Corfu had evacuated to the Hermes but later the engine room staff returned. HMS Hermes then proceeded to Freetown while HMS Corfu got underway for Freetown also at dead slow speed and proceeding astern under escort by HMS Dorsetshire (Capt. B.C.S. Martin, RN).

Around 1900N/10, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Freetown to take over the escort duties as HMS Corfu was unable to continue. She joined the convoy around 1830N/11.

On 19 July [date to be checked, no mention of them joining in the log of HMS Dunvegan Castle] convoy SLF 39, made up of the transports Abosso (British, 11330 GRT, built 1935), Amstelkerk (Dutch, 4457 GRT, built 1929), Autolycus (British, 7621 GRT, built 1922), City of Brisbane (British, 8006 GRT, built 1920), City of Canberra (British, 7484 GRT, built 1927), City of Marseilles (British, 8317 GRT, built 1913), Clan Colcuhoun (British, 7914 grt, built 1918), Clan MacPherson (British, 6940 GRT, built 1929), Gudrun Maersk (British, 2294 GRT, built 1937), Jamaica (Norwegian, 3105 GRT, built 1936), Maihar (British, 7563 GRT, built 1917), Nestor (British, 14629 GRT, built 1913), Seaforth (British, 5459 GRT, built 1939), Titan (British, 9035 GRT, built 1906) and Yoma (British, 8131 GRT, built 1928) merged with convoy SL 39. This convoy had departed Freetown on 11 July 1940. Due to the damage to HMS Corfu this convoy had been unescorted. It had originally been intended to had it escorted by HMS Dunvegan Castle.

Around 0800A/25, the destroyer HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Tait, RN) and corvette HMS Mallow (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Piggott, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1015A/25, the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RN) and HMS Hesperus (Lt.Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, RN) joined. HMS Dunvegan Castle then parted company to proceed to Greenock.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 29 July 1940.

26 Jul 1940
Around 2315A/26, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from convoy escort duty. (11)

31 Jul 1940
Around 1500A/31, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) departed Greenock for Freetown. (11)

11 Aug 1940
Around 0730N/11, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) arrived at Freetown from Greenock. (12)

11 Aug 1940

Convoy SL 43.

This convoy departed Freetown on 11 August 1940.

It was made up of the following transports / tankers; Baron Inchcape (British, 7005 GRT, built 1917), Baron Scott (British, 4574 GRT, built 1939), Baronesa (British, 8663 GRT, built 1918), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Cieszyn (Polish, 1386 GRT, built 1932), Chile (British, 6956 GRT, built 1915), Corinthian (British, 3121 GRT, built 1938), Dartford (British, 4093 GRT, built 1930), Debrett (British, 6244 GRT, built 1940), Dixcove (British, 3790 GRT, built 1927), Helmspey (British, 4764 GRT, built 1931), Helvig (British (former Danish), 2252 GRT, built 1937), Hindpool (British, 4897 GRT, built 1928), Imperial Valley (British, 4573 GRT, built 1924), Liberian (British, 5129 GRT, built 1936), Logician (British, 5993 GRT, built 1928), Maccreggor Laird (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Macharda (British, 7998 GRT, built 1938), Marken (Dutch 5719 GRT, built 1937), Matadian (British, 4275 GRT, built 1936), Mount Othrys (Greek, 6527 GRT, built 1919), Oregon I (British (former Danish), 4774 GRT, built 1916), Port Dunedin (British, 7441 GRT, built 1925), Prome (British, 7043 GRT, built 1937), Rodney Star (British, 11803 GRT, built 1927), Spar (Dutch, 3616 GRT, built 1924), St. Clears (British, 4312 GRT, built 1936), St. Margaret (British, 4312 GRT, built 1936), St. Usk (British, 5472 GRT, built 1909), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Staffordshire (British, 10683 GRT, built 1929), Taygetos (Greek, 4295 GRT, built 1918), Theodoros T. (Greek, 3409 GRT, built 1912), Turkistan (British, 6935 GRT, built 1939), Tyr (Norwegian, 4265 GRT, built 1926) and Umtali (British, 8135 GRT, built 1936),

The transport New Brooklyn (British, 6546 GRT, built 1920) departed Bathurst on 13 August to join the convoy at sea.

Several transports, some of which had been coaling at St. Vincent (São Vicente Island), Cape Verde Islands, were to join the convoy at sea on the 14/15th. these were the following, Alchiba (Dutch, 4427 GRT, built 1920), Alcyone (Dutch, 4534 GRT, built 1921), Bendoran (British, 5567 GRT, built 1910), Duquesa (British, 8651 GRT, built 1918), Georgios P. (Greek, 4052 GRT, built 1903), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Minnie de Larrinaga (British, 5049 GRT, built 1914), Springfontein (Dutch, 6406 GRT, built 1921) and Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN) and the sloop HMS Milford (Capt.(Retd.) S.K. Smyth, RN).

On 13 (or 14) August 1940, the Cieszyn and HMS Milford parted company to proceed to Bathurst where they arrived at 1945N/15. On board the Cieszyn was the Gambia Company, Sierra Leone Battalion, Royal West African Frontier Force.

Around 1855Z/14, the light cruiser HMS Delhi (Capt. A.S. Russell, RN) joined the convoy. She parted company around 2020Z/16.

On 26 August, the sloop Fowey (Lt.Cdr. R.M. Aubrey, RN) and corvette HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. H. Row, RNR) joined the convoy.

On 27 August, the destroyer HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) and corvette HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Sanders, RNVR) joined the convoy.

On 27 August, HMS Dunvegan Castle parted company with the convoy to proceed to Belfast where she was to be taken in hand for repairs.

27 Aug 1940
At 2147B/27 (Berlin Time, 2247A/27 (local time), the German submarine U-46 fired a torpedo, in position 55°05'N, 11°00'W, which hit the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt.(Retd.) H. Ardill, RN), which had parted company with convoy SL 43 earlier in the day, on the starboard side aft of the bridge abreast the generator room. All the generators immediately stopped and the ship came to a halt. The emergency generators were then started and as the ship continued, the U-boat fired two further torpedoes at 2212B/27 and 2251B/27, which hit the engine room and just before the bridge respectively, both on the port side.

The vessel stopped, caught fire and foundered around 0600A/28 in position 54°54'N/11°00'W. Three officers and 24 ratings were lost. The Commanding Officer and 249 crew members (twelve of them wounded), which had already abondoned ship in the boats, were picked up by the destroyer HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, RN) and the corvette HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Sanders, RNVR) and landed in Scotland. Both escorts had arrived on the scene before the ship sank.