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Notable events involving Niagara include:

24 Apr 1941

Convoy HG 60.

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 24 April 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agios Vlasios (Greek, 2974 GRT, built 1918), Arlesford (British, 2472 GRT, built 1922), Baron Dechmont (British, 3675 GRT, built 1929), Clonlara (Irish, 1202 GRT, built 1926), Cortes (British, 1390 GRT, built 1919), Ebro (British (former Danish), 1547 GRT, built 1920), Edencraig (British, 1592 GRT, built 1940), Empire Lough (British, 2824 GRT, built 1940), Osric (Swedish, 1418 GRT, built 1919), Ousel (British, 1533 GRT, built 1922), Petrel (British, 1457 GRT, built 1920), Portsea (British, 1583 GRT, built 1938), Ruckinge (British, 2869 GRT, built 1939), Starling (British, 1320 GRT, built 1930) and Wigry (Polish, 1893 GRT, built 1912).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Firedrake (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Norris, DSO, DSC, RN), sloop HMS Wellington (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), corvettes HMS Coreopsis (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Davies, RNVR), HMS Fleur de Lys (Lt.Cdr. L.M. Carter, RNR), HMS Spiraea (T/Lt. L.C. Head, RNVR) and the submarine HrMs O 23 (Lt.Cdr. G.B.M. van Erkel, RNN).

On 28 April, HMS Firedrake was to part company with the convoy to proceed direct to Portsmouth and from there to the Chatham Dockyard where she was to refit.

The three corvettes most likely parted company with the convoy on 30 April.

Around 1800Z/2, in approximate position 40°10'N, 21°57'W, HrMs O 23 parted company with the convoy to join southbound convoy OG 60. The convoy was now only escorted by HMS Wellington.

Around 1715Z/8, the destroyer HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN) joined the convoy. On joining the convoy it became apparent that the destroyer HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN), corvettes HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR), HMCS Trillium (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR), HMCS Windflower (T/Lt. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR), A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. C.A. Shillan, RNVR), HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR) and HMS Lady Madeleine (T/Lt. W.G. Ogden, RNVR) had already joined the convoy earlier although at the time of HMS Boadicea joining HMCS Snowberry had lost contact with the convoy but she rejoined around 2000Z/8.

At 1900Z/8, HMCS Columbia was detached for other duties.

Around 1000Z/10, in position 55°31'N, 14°00'W, the destroyers Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN) and HMCS St. Clair (A/Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR) joined. They were supposed to have joined earlier with the other ships but had to refuel first at Londonderry as they had insufficient fuel to do so without refuelling first.

Around 1400A/11, the Oban section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Edencrag, Portsea and Ruckinge. They took HMS Ayrshire with them as escort. They arrived at Oban on 12 May.

HMS Egret arrived at Londonderry on 11 May.

On 12 May 1941, the Ousel arrived at Londonderry.

On 12 May 1941 the Agios Vlasios arrived in the Clyde as did HMS Boadicea, HMCS Niagara, HMCS St. Clair, HMS Wellington, HMCS Snowberry, HMCS Trillium, HMCS Windflower,

On 12 May 1941, the Clonlara arrived in Belfast Lough; Clonlara.

On 12 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Holyhead; Baron Dechmont, Ebro and Starling. On 12 May 1941, the Osric arrived at Workington.

On 13 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Arlesford, Empire Lough and Wigry.

On 13 May 1941, the Cortes and Petrel arrived at Preston.

The exact movements of HMS Arab and HMS Lady Madeleine will have to be investigated further. (1)

16 May 1941

Convoy OG 62.

This convoy was assembled to the west of the North Channel on 16 May 1941 and was made up of ships from four sections; the Milford Haven, Liverpool, Clyde and Oban sections.

The Milford Haven section (sailed 14 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Atle Jarl (Norwegian, 1173 GRT, built 1919), British Chancellor (British (tanker), 7085 GRT, built 1921), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Emmy (Greek, 3895 GRT, built 1914), Leerdam (Dutch, 8815 GRT, built 1921), Ocean Coast (British, 1173 GRT, built 1935), Rolf Jarl (Norwegian, 1917 GRT, built 1920), Serula (British, 2187 GRT, built 1918) and Storanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9223 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from Milford Haven this section was escorted by the escort destroyer HMS Wolsey (Lt.Cdr. C.H. Campbell, DSC, RN), A/S trawler HMS Viviana (Skr. G.L. Olesen, RNR) and the armed yacht HMS Troubadour (Cdr.(ret) D.H. Milward, DSC, RNR). These ships arrived at Belfast on the 16th after having been detached from the convoy.

The Liverpool section (sailed 15 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Avra (Greek, 4652 GRT, built 1912), Dordrecht (Dutch, 4402 GRT, built 1928) and Panaghis (Greek, 5187 GRT, built 1920). This section was escorted by the sloop HMS Bideford (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, RNR).

The Clyde section (sailed 16 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Baltara (British, 3099 GRT, built 1918), Henry Stanley (British, 5026 GRT, built 1929), Horn Shell (British (tanker), 8272 GRT, built 1931), Kingston Hill (British, 7628 GRT, built 1940), Loch Ranza (British, 4958 GRT, built 1934), Mobeka (Belgian, 6111 GRT, built 1937), Pinto (British, 1346 GRT, built 1928), River Lugar (British, 5423 GRT, built 1937) and Wrotham (British, 1884 GRT, built 1927). The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also with this section.

The Oban section (sailed 16 May 1941) was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Alex (British, 3932 GRT, built 1914), Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Baron Napier (British, 3559 GRT, built 1930), Baron Pentland (British, 3410 GRT, built 1927), Chr. Knudsen (Norwegian, 4904 GRT, built 1925), Drakepool (British, 4838 GRT, built 1924), Empire Surf (British, 6641 GRT, built 1941), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Solstad (Swedish, 1379 GRT, built 1924) and Ulea (British, 1574 GRT, built 1936). This section was escorted by the A/S trawler HMS Ayrshire (T/Lt. L.J.A. Gradwell, RNVR).

On final assembly to the west of the North Channel on the 16th the convoy was joined by additional escorts which were the destroyers HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN), corvettes HMS Aster (Lt.Cdr. E. Hewitt, RD, RNR), HMCS Arrowhead (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR), HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Arab (T/Lt. C.A. Shillan, RNVR) and A/S trawler HMS Stella Carina (Lt. R. Lockwood, RANVR). HMS Bideford and HMS Ayrshire were also still with the convoy. The destroyer Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN) was unable to join due to defects.

The Dordrecht arrived in the Clyde on 17 May. She had returned to the U.K. with defects.

Around 0600B/17, in position 55°35'N, 07°50'W, the corvette HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) joined.

Around 0800B/17, in position 55°33'N, 08°15'W, HMCS Hepatica was detached to go to the assistance of the merchant vessel Statesman (British, 7939 GRT, built 1923), that had been bombed by enemy aircraft in position 56°44'N, 13°45'W. The damaged ship sank later that morning. HMCS Hepatica reported at 0005B/18, that she had onboard 60 survivors. She was then ordered to proceed to Londonderry.

Around 0950B/19, HMS Arab carried out a depth charge attack on a doubtful contact and due to the firing of the depth charges she suffered an engine defect. HMCS St. Francis was ordered to go to her assistance but this order was soon cancelled and HMCS Spikenard was sent instead. HMS Arab later signalled she needed a tow.

At 1505B/19, a report was received of an enemy submarine in position 51°30'N, 23°30'W. It was noticed that this submarine would endanger northbound convoy SL 73.

Around 1645B/19, HMS Boadicea, HMCS St. Francis were detached to reinforce convoy SL 73 early.

Around 2330B/19, HMS Egret, HMCS Arrowhead, HMCS Snowberry, HMS Ayrshire and the Zamalek were detached to also join convoy SL 73.

Around 2330B/20, in position 49°31'N, 19°14'W, some ships were detached to destinations in North America and the Caribbean. This were the following;
Alex (arrived at Montreal on 2 June 1941), Ashby (arrived at Montreal on 31 May 1941), Avra (arrived at Quebec on 31 May 1941), Baltara (arrived at Montreal on 2 June 1941), Baron Pentland (arrived at Sydney, Nova Scotia on 29 May 1941), British Chancellor (arrived at Curacao on 6 June 1941), Chr. Knudsen (arrived at Three Rivers on 31 May 1941), Drakepool (arrived at Montreal on 3 June 1941), Edward F. Johnson (arrived at Aruba on 4 June 1941), Empire Surf (arrived at Aruba on 4 June 1941), Horn Shell (arrived at New York on 2 June 1941), Leerdam (arrived at New York on 29 May 1941), Lekhaven (arrived at Three Rivers on 31 May 1941), Loch Ranza (arrived at Montreal on 31 May 1941), Panaghis (arrived at Sorel on 31 May 1941), Storanger (arrived at Aruba on 5 June 1941) and .

Around 1430B/23, in position 42°44'N, 21°34'W, the Dutch submarine HrMs O 24 (Lt.Cdr. O. de Booy, RNN) joined the convoy. HMS Aster had been detached the previous day to make contact with convoy HG 62 and then escort the submarine from that convoy over to convoy OG 62.

Around 2300B/23, in position 41°44'N, 21°20'W, some ships were detached to destinations in the South Atlantic area.
This were the following;
Atle Jarl (arrived at Bathurst on 2 June 1941), Baron Napier (arrived at Freetown on 6 June 1941), Emmy (arrived at Freetown on 5 June 1941), Henry Stanley (arrived at Freetown on 2 June 1941), Kingston Hill (arrived at St. Vincent on 30 May 1941), River Lugar (arrived at Freetown on 5 June 1941), Rolf Jarl (arrived at Bathurst on 31 May 1941) and .

Around 1000B/29, to the south of Cape Trafalgar, some ships were detached to destinations in south-west Spain and Portugal. This were the following;
Serula (arrived at Huelva on 29 May 1941), Solstad (arrived at Lisbon on 31 May 1941), Uela (arrived at Huelva on 29 May 1941) and Wrotham (arrived at Setubal on 31 May 1941).

The remainder of the convoy arrived at Gibraltar in the afteroon of 29 May 1941. (2)

10 Jun 1941

Convoy HX 132.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Avra (Greek, 4652 GRT, built 1912), Bayano (British, 6815 GRT, built 1917), Belita (British (tanker), 6323 GRT, built 1933), British Industry (British (tanker), 4297 GRT, built 1927), Circe Shell (British (tanker), 8207 GRT, built 1931), Dalfram (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Duke of Sparta (British, 5397 GRT, built 1940), Empire Falcon (British, 4970 GRT, built 1918), James Hawson (British (tanker), 6074 GRT, built 1930), Lekhaven (Dutch, 4802 GRT, built 1921), Marchant Prince (British, 5229 GRT, built 1939), Ornefjell (Norwegian (tanker), 1334 GRT, built 1937), Sama (Norwegian, 1799 GRT, built 1937), San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937), Tore Jarl (Norwegian, 1514 GRT, built 1920) and Trekieve (British, 5244 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMCS Annapolis (A/Lt.Cdr. F.C. Smith, RCNR).

The battleships HMS Revenge (Capt. L.V. Morgan, CBE, MVO, DSC, RN) also departed Halifax late on the 10th and joined the convoy at sea early on the 11th after which HMCS Annapolis parted company to return to Halifax.

On the morning of 13 June 1941, Convoy BHX 132 joined, which had departed Bermuda on 8 June 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Belinda (British (tanker), 8325 GRT, built 1939), Cape Hawke (British, 5081 GRT, built 1941), Cistula (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Corilla (Dutch (tanker), 8096 GRT, built 1939), Cortona (British, 7093 GRT, built 1921), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), Eknaren (Swedish, 5243 GRT, built 1922), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Hopemount (British (tanker), 7434 GRT, built 1929), Merchant (British, 4615 GRT, built 1934), Oilreliance (British (tanker), 5666 GRT, built 1929), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938) and Vimeira (British, 5728 GRT, built 1927).

They had been escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Maloja (A/Capt. V. Hammersley-Heenan, RN) which then parted company.

Around 0800O/16, the convoy was joined by the destroyers HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR), HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR) and HMCS Cobalt ( T/Lt. C.J. Angus, RCNR).

Around 1530O/16, the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) also joined. she had first directed convoy SC 34 towards convoy HX 132.

Around 2100O/16, Convoy SC 34 and it's escort, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN), took station astern of convoy HX 132.

Around 1200O/18, HMCS Restigouche and HMCS Columbia parted company with the convoy.

Around 2000O/18, HMS Revenge parted company with the convoy to join westbound convoy OB 334.

HMS Ranpura, HMCS Saguenay, HMS Ramsay, HMS Richmond, HMS Candytuft and HMCS Cobalt parted company with the combined convoy around 1020Z/23 to proceed to Reykjavik.

Other A/S vessels had joined by that time but sources vary on their composition and the time they were with the convoy.

The relief A/S escorts most likely involved in escorting HX 132 and / or SC 34 were; destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), mineweeepers HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN), HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. J.B.G. Temple, DSC, RN), HMS Hussar ( Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) and HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR). The catapult ship Pegasus apparently also joined the convoys.

[This will have to be further researched in the future.]

The convoys at a certain point apparently separated again. Convoy HX 132 arrived in U.K. waters on 28 June 1941. Convoy SC 34 arrived in U.K. waters on 29 June 1941.

10 Jun 1941

Convoy SC 34.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 June 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Aaro (British (former Danish), 1426 GRT, built 1925), Baron Ruthven (British, 3178 GRT, built 1925), Baron Vernon (British, 3642 GRT, built 1929), Berkel (Dutch, 2130 GRT, built 1930), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Borgfred (Norwegian, 2183 GRT, built 1920), Clunepark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Cordelia (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), Dinaric (British, 2555 GRT, built 1919), Eastmoor (British, 5812 GRT, built 1922), Einvik (Norwegian, 2000 GRT, built 1918), Empire Buffalo (British, 6404 GRT, built 1919), Fido (Norwegian, 1857 GRT, built 1919), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Geddington Court (British, 6903 GRT, built 1928), Gunvor Maersk (British, 1977 GRT, built 1931), Hartbridge (British, 5080 GRT, built 1927), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Keila (British, 3621 GRT, built 1905), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Leighton (British, 7412 GRT, built 1921), Margit (British, 1735 GRT, built 1924), Mariston (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Michalios (Greek, 3742 GRT, built 1908), Milcrest (British, 5283 GRT, built 1919), Nicolaos Piangos (Greek, 4499 GRT, built 1912), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Pennington Court (British, 6098 GRT, built 1924), Redpool (British, 4848 GRT, built 1924), Scorton (British, 4813 GRT, built 1939), Snar (Norwegian, 3176 GRT, built 1920), Solhavn (Norwegian, 1630 GRT, built 1918) and Vestland (Norwegian, 1934 GRT, built 1916).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura (A/Capt.(Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) and auxiliary patrol boats HMCS Raccoon (T/Lt. N.G. Bennett, RCNR) and HMCS Reindeer (Lt. L.G. Cumming, RCNVR). Both patrol vessels returned to Halifax on the 11th.

In the morning of the 15th the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN) joined to guide the convoy towards convoy HX 132.

Around 2100O/16, Convoy SC 34 took station astern of convoy HX 132.

The combined convoy was then escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura, destroyers HMCS Restigouche, HMCS Saguenay (Lt. P.E. Haddon, RCN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), Niagara (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) E.L. Armstrong, RCN), HMS Ramsey (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, RNR), HMS Richmond (Lt.Cdr. A.F.L. Evans, RN) and the corvettes HMS Candytuft (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) F.B. Collinson, RD, RNR) and HMCS Cobalt ( T/Lt. C.J. Angus, RCNR).

HMS Ranpura, HMCS Saguenay, HMS Ramsay, HMS Richmond, HMS Candytuft and HMCS Cobalt parted company with the combined convoy around 1020Z/23 to proceed to Reykjavik.

Other A/S vessels had joined by that time but sources vary on their composition and the time they were with the convoy.

The relief A/S escorts most likely involved in escorting HX 132 and / or SC 34 were; destroyers HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN), HMS Venomous (Cdr. H.P. Henderson, RN), HMS Sabre (Lt. P.W. Gretton, DSC, RN), HMS Saladin (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Dover, RN), HMS Shikari (Lt.Cdr. H.N.A. Richardson, RN), HMS Lincoln (Lt. R.J. Hanson, RN), corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Alisma (A/Lt.Cdr. M.G. Rose, RANVR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Boys-Smith, DSO, RNR), HMS Sunflower (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Jones, RNR), HMS Veronica (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) D.F. White, RNR), mineweeepers HMS Gossamer (Lt.Cdr. A.D.H. Jay, RN), HMS Hazard (Lt.Cdr. J.R.A. Seymour, RN), HMS Hebe (Lt.Cdr. J.B.G. Temple, DSC, RN), HMS Hussar ( Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN), A/S trawlers HMS St. Elstan (T/Lt. G. Butcher, RNVR), HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) and HMS St. Zeno (T/Lt. J.K. Craig, RNVR). The catapult ship HMS Pegasus (Capt.(Retd.) P.G. Wodehouse, DSO, RN) apparently also joined the convoys.

[This will have to be further researched in the future.]

The convoys at a certain point apparently separated again. Convoy HX 132 arrived in U.K. waters on 28 June 1941. Convoy SC 34 arrived in U.K. waters on 29 June 1941.

14 Apr 1942
HMCS Niagara (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Harris, RCNR) picks up 12 survivors from the British merchant Rio Blanco that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-160 about 60 nautical miles east of Cape Hatteras in position 35°16'N, 74°18'W on 1 April and 8 survivors from the Norwegian tanker Kollskegg that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-754 about 350 nautical miles north-west of Bermuda on 6 April.

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