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Notable events involving Agassiz include:

16 May 1941

Convoy HX 127.

This convoy departed Halifax on 16 May 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Aircrest (British, 5237 GRT, built 1940), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), Boreas (Norwegian, 2801 GRT, built 1920), Brasil (Norwegian (tanker), 8130 GRT, built 1935), British Integrity (British (tanker), 8412 GRT, built 1927), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), Coimbra (British (tanker), 6768 GRT, built 1937), Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936), Cristales (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926), Dalcroy (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Dramatist (British, 5443 GRT, built 1920), Elmdale (British, 4872 GRT, built 1941), Empire Flamingo (British, 4994 GRT, built 1920), Empire Hartebeeste (British, 5579 GRT, built 1918), Empire Hawksbill (British, 5652 GRT, built 1920), Empire Seal (British, 7899 GRT, built 1922), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Ganymedes (Dutch, 2682 GRT, built 1917), Gravelines (British (former French), 2477 GRT, built 1925), Harmonic (British, 4558 GRT, built 1930), Inverness (British, 4897 GRT, built 1940), Ittersum (Dutch, 5199 GRT, built 1938), Kheti (British, 2734 GRT, built 1927), Laurelwood (British (tanker), 7347 GRT, built 1929), Leiesten (Norwegian (tanker), 6118 GRT, built 1930), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Lord Byron (British, 4118 GRT, built 1934), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), Norefjord (Norwegian, 3082 GRT, built 1920), Ondina (Dutch, 6341 GRT, built 1939), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), Rotterdam (Dutch, 8968 GRT, built 1925), Seapool (British, 4820 GRT, built 1940), Skiensfjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1922), Spind (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1917), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Standella (British (tanker), 6197 GRT, built 1936), Stigstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5964 GRT, built 1927), Teddington (British, 4762 GRT, built 1941), Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937), Tilsington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918), Trelissick (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919), Wellington Court (British, 4979 GRT, built 1930), Winona County (British, 6049 GRT, built 191),

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN) and HMCS Agassiz (Lt. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR).

Around 2110P/16, both Canadian corvettes parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 0500P/17, the Leiv Eiriksson dropped out of the convoy. She subsequently returned to Halifax.

Thick fog was encountered on the 18th and not all ships were in company at dawn on the 19th but all rejoined rather quickly.

Around 1940P/19, in approximate position 43°27'N, 50°05'W, the Trefusis parted company due to condenser trouble. She returned to Halifax where she arrived on 22 May 1941. On the same day the Spind also returned to Halifax with defects. [It is currently not know to us when she parted company with the convoy].

Around 2000P/20, in approximate position 45°21'N, 46°48'W, the Bermuda section of the convoy (BHX 127) joined. It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adula (British (tanker), 8040 GRT, built 1937), Athelqueen (British (tanker), 8780 GRT, built 1928), British Commodore (British (tanker), 6865 GRT, built 1923), Carelia (British (tanker), 8062 GRT, built 1938), Chr. Th. Boe (Norwegian (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1930), Laristan (British (tanker), 6401 GRT, built 1927), President de Vogue (Norwegian (tanker), 9320 GRT, built 1935), Ranja (Norwegian (tanker), 6355 GRT, built 1928), Sepia (British (tanker), 6214 GRT, built 1936), Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939) and Vardefjell (Norwegian (tanker), GRT, built 1940).

Convoy BHX 127 was escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous by the the armed merchant cruiser HMS Chitral (Capt.(Retd.) G. Hamilton, RN) which did not join the convoy but set course for Halifax.

Around 1100N/24, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to join the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck and Prinz Eugen.

Around 1800N/26, the corvettes HMS Larkspur (Lt. S.C.B. Hickman, RNR) and HMS Begonia (T/Lt. T.A.R. Muir, RNR) joined the convoy.

Around 1645N/28, the destroyer HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN) joined the convoy. Later (times / dates unknown) more A/S escorts joined the convoy, these were the destroyers HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN), HMS Salisbury (Lt.Cdr. H.M.R. Crichton, RN), HMS Skate (Lt. F.P. Baker, DSC, RN), A/S yacht HMS Philante (Capt.(Retd.) H.S. Bowlby, RN), minesweeper HMS Hussar (Lt.Cdr. D.H.P. Gardiner, RN) and the A/S trawler HMS St. Kenan (T/Lt. R.R. Simpson, RNR) also joined [date and times of joining not known].

The escort destroyers HMS Farndale (Cdr. S.H. Carlill, RN), HMS Hambledon (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN) and sloops HMS Stork (Lt. G.T.S. Gray, DSC, RN) and HMIS Sutlej (Capt. P.A. Mare, RIN) departed Scapa Flow around 0700/26 to reinforce the escort of the convoy [date and times of joining not known].

On 31 May 1941, the Mosli arrived at Reykjavik after having been detached from the convoy earlier.

On 31 May 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Oban for onward routing to East Coast ports; Acavus, Adula, Aircrest, Barrdale, British Commodore, Coimbra, Cristales, Elmdale, Empire Flamingo, Empire Hartebeeste, Empire Hawksbill, Ganimedes, Harmonic, Ittersum, Laristan, Leiesten, Norefjord, Ondina, President de Vogue, Seapool, Standella, Tilsington Court, Trelissick and Winosa County.

On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Scapa Flow; Laurelwood and Sepia.

On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived in the Clyde; Dalcroy, Empire Seal, Empire Shearwater, F.J. Wolfe, Kheti, Petter, Regent Lion, Solfonn, Stad Vlaardingen, Teddington and Temple Yard.

On 1 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Liverpool; Athelqueen, British Integrity, British Pride, Carelia, Chr. Th. Boe, Comanchee, Dramatist, Inverness, Ranja, Stigstad, Vardefjell and Wellington Court.

On 2 June 1941, the following merchant vessels arrived at Milford Haven; Boreas, Brasil, Lord Byron, Rotterdam and Skiensfjord.

Local A/S escort vessels involved in escorting HX 127 arrived in port as follows; HMCS Ottawa, HMCS Restigouche and HMS Farndale arrived at Greenock on 1 June 1941.

HMS Hambledon, HMS Stork and HMIS Sutlej arrived at Scapa Flow on 1 June 1941. HMS Hambledon had made a short fuel stop at Loch Ewe on 31 May though before rejoining the two sloops.

HMS Hussar arrived at Stornoway on 1 June 1941.

HMS Skate arrived at Londonderry on 1 June 1941.

HMS Salisbury arrived at Londonderry on 2 June 1941.

HMS St Kenan arrived at Ardrossan on 3 June 1941. She had been involved in the salvage of the forepart of the torpedoed Gravelines which at some point had straggled from the convoy.

The exact movements of HMS Philante are not clear to us at the moment. According to some documents she arrvived at Halifax on 23 June 1941 after being at sea since 23 May 1941, the day she left Londonderry. This is however incorrect and she has been at Iceland in between as well according to other documents. (1)

1 Jun 1941

Convoy HX 130.

This convoy departed Halifax on 1 June 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ary Lensen (British, 3214 GRT, built 1930), Ashworth (British, 5227 GRT, built 1920), Benedict (British, 4949 GRT, built 1930), Brabant (Belgian, 2483 GRT, buil 1938), British Valour (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1927), City of Johannesburg (British, 5669 GRT, built 1920), Dalcross (British, 4557 GRT, built 1930), Danae II (British, 2660 GRT, built 1936), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Empire Elk (British, 4748 GRT, built 1920), Empire Leopard (British, 5781 GRT, built 1917), Gyda (British, 1695 GRT, built 1934), Hallanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1928), Kaipara (British, 5882 GRT, built 1938), Marit (Norwegian (tanker), 5563 GRT, built 1918), Norbryn (Norwegian, 5089 GRT, built 1922), Peterton (British, 5221 GRT, built 1919), Romney (British, 5840 GRT, built 1929), San Florentino (British (tanker), 12842 GRT, built 1919), San Gerardo (British (tanker), 12915 GRT, built 1929), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Spind (Norwegian, 2197 GRT, built 1917), Thornliebank (British, 5569 GRT, built 1939) and Willesden (British, 4653 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Ramillies (Capt. A.D. Read, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Pictou (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Driver, RCNR) and HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR).

Around 1500P/1, the Daphnella returned to Halifax due to engine trouble.

Around 1955P/1, HMCS Pictou parted company to return to Halifax.

Around 2115P/1, HMCS Rimouski parted company to return to Halifax.

At dawn on 4 June 1941 it was seen that some ships were missing of which the Empire Elk was not seen again.

Around 0900P/5, in approximate position 43°05'N, 49°30'W, convoy BHX 130, coming from Bermuda, merged with the convoy. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Athelduchess (British (tanker), 8940 GRT, built 1929), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Engineer (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1922), British Tenacity (British (tanker), 8439 GRT, built 1939), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Donax (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laurits Swenson (Norwegian, 5725 GRT, built 1930), Narragansett (British (tanker) 10389 GRT, built 1936), Nyholt (Norwegian (tanker), 8087 GRT, built 1931), Refast (British (tanker) 5189 GRT, built 1914), Samuel Bakke (Norwegian, 4719 GRT, built 1929), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935) and Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928).

Convoy BHX 130 had been escorted from Bermuda to the rendezvous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) which then parted company to proceed to Halifax.

Around 0800P/6, in position 44°42'N, 46°24'W, convoy SHX 130 merged with the convoy. This convoy had departed Sydney, Nova Scotia on 1 June 1941 and was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alioth (Dutch, 4583 GRT, built 1937), Chepo (Panamanian, 5707 GRT, built 1919), King Frederick (British, 5106 GRT, built 1920), Kronprinsessan Margareta (Swedish, 3739 GRT, built 1914), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Taborfjell (Norwegian, 1339 GRT, built 1938), Tetela (British, 5389 GRT, built 1926) and Tucurinca (British, 5412 GRT, built 1926).

On departure from Sydney, convoy SHX 130, had been briefly escorted by the auxiliary M/S trawler HMCS Rayon d'Or (?).

Another merchant vessel, the Tureby (British, 4372 GRT, built 1936) had straggled from convoy SHX 130 on 6 June 1941 and thus did not join convoy HX 130. She arrived at Reykjavik on 12 June 1941.

Around 1730P/7, in position 48°19'N, 45°49'W, the destroyers HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN), HMS Burnham (Lt.Cdr. J. Bostock, DSC, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Agassiz (Lt. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR), HMCS Alberni (Lt. G.O. Baugh, RCNR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN) joined coming from St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Around 1900P/7, HMS Burnham and HMCS Alberni were detached to join convoy SC 33. This convoy was later ordered to proceed in close convoy HX 130 and proceed in very close proximity astern of convoy HX 130. The A/S escorts, HMS Churchill, HMS Burnham, HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin then protected both convoys.

On 8 June 1941, the New York City straggled from the convoy. She proceeded to St. Johns, Newfoundland where she arrived on 15 June 1941.

Around 1830P/9, in position 53°41'N, 46°45'W, HMS Ramillies parted company with the convoy to return to Halifax.

Around 0500O/15, the current A/S escort of HMCS Agassiz, HMCS Alberni and HMCS Wetaskiwin was relieved in approximate position 60°36'N, 25°58'W, by a new group of A/S escorts. It seems that HMS Churchill and HMS Burnham had already been detached at that time as they arrived at Hvalfjord on 15 and 14 June respectively. The three Canadian corvettes arrived at Hvalfjord on 16 June.

The new group of A/S escorts was was made up of the following ships; cutters HMS Banff (Lt.Cdr. P.S. Evans, RN), HMS Culver (Lt.Cdr. R.T. Gordon-Duff, RN), HMS Fishguard (Lt.Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR), HMS Hartland (A/Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, RN), destroyers HMS Watchman (Lt.Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Sardonyx (Lt.Cdr. R.B.S. Tennant, RN), corvettes HMS Heliotrope (Lt.Cdr. J. Jackson, RNR), HMS Petunia (Lt.Cdr. G.V. Legassick, RNR), HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR), HMS Violet (Lt.Cdr. K.M. Nicholson, RNR) minesweepers HMS Niger (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Bayley, DSC, RN), HMS Speedwell (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Youngs, OBE, RNR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Northern Gem (Skr.Lt. W.J.V. Mullender, DSC, RNR) and HMS Northern Pride (T/Lt. A.A. Campbell, RNR). [It is possible / likely these did not all join at the same time.] The armed boarding vessel / fighter catapult ship HMS Ariguani (Cdr.(Retd.) R.A. Thorburn, RD, RNR) also joined the convoy.

On 15 June 1941, the Norbryn parted company with the convoy and joined convoy SC 33 instead.

Ships of the convoy arrived in U.K ports as follows;

Loch Ewe, 18 June 1941;
Amastra, Ary Lensen, Athelprince, British Engineer, British Valour, Cape Wrath, Dalross, Danae II, Donax, Empire Leopard, Peterton, Scottish Heather, Tetela and Willesden.

Clyde, 19 June 1941;
Athelduchess, City of Johannesburg, Hallanger, Iroquois, Kronprinsessan Margareta, Nyholt, San Arcadio, San Florentino and Thornliebank.

Liverpool, 20 June 1941;
Alioth, Benedict, British Courage, British Tenacity, Chepo, Gyda, Kaipara, King Frederick, Laurits Swenson, Refast, Romney, Samuel Bakke, San Gerardo, Sommerstad, Taborfjell and Tucurinca.

Barry Roads, 21 June 1941;
Ashworth, Brabant, British Dominion, Marit, Narragansett and Spind.

The escorts arrived in U.K. ports as follows;

Londonderry, 19 June 1941;
HMS Watchman, HMS Sardonyx, HMS Banff, HMS Culver, HMS Fishguard, HMS Hartland and HMS Violet.

Clyde, 19 June 1941;
HMS Ariguani.

Londonderry, 20 June 1941;
HMS Heliotrope, HMS Petunia, HMS Verbena, HMS Northern Gem and HMS Northern Pride. (2)

18 Jun 1942
HMCS Agassiz (A/Lt.Cdr B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR) picks up 51 survivors from the American merchant Seattle Spirit that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-124 in the North Atlantic in position 50°24'N, 42°37'W.

3 Aug 1942
The British merchant Lochkatrine is torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-552 east of Cape Race in position 45°52'N, 46°44'W. The Canadian destroyer HMCS Hamilton (Lt.Cdr. N.V. Clark, RCNR) and the Canadian corvette HMCS Agassiz (A/Lt.Cdr. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR) together pick up 81 survivors.

17 Sep 1942
HMS H 32 (Lt. J.R. Drummond, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Galt (T/Lt. A.D. Landles, RCNR), HMCS Agassiz (A/Lt.Cdr. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR), HMCS Sackville (T/Lt. A.H. Easton, RCNR) and HMCS Wetaskiwin (Lt.Cdr. G.S. Windeyer, RCN). (3)

5 Jan 1943
HMCS Agassiz (Lt.Cdr. B.D.L. Johnson, RCNR) commenced a refit at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada.

23 Jun 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS Port Arthur (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, DSC, RCNVR), HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Stephen, OBE, DSC, RCNR), HMCS Agassiz (T/Lt. E.M. More, RCNR), HMS Burwell (Lt. A.H. Parish, RN) and HMS Fusilier (T/Lt. F.M. Phillips, RNVR). (4)

31 Jul 1943
HMS P 511 (Lt. C.W. Taylor, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMCS St. Laurent (Lt.Cdr. G.H. Stephen, OBE, DSC, RCNR) and HMCS Agassiz (T/Lt. E.M. More, RCNR). (5)

9 Sep 1943
HMS H 33 (Lt. D.G. Kent, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Agassiz (T/Lt. E.M. More, RCNR), HMS Saladin (Lt. A.A. Diggens, DSC, RN), HMS Forester (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Burnett, DSC, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. S. Biskupski). (6)

25 Nov 1943
HMS Spiteful (Lt.Cdr. F.H. Sherwood, DSC, RCNVR) conducted A/S exercises off Larne with HMCS Agassiz (T/Lt. E.M. More, RCNR) and HMS Celandine (Lt. W.E. Warwick, RNR). (7)

28 May 1945
HMS Unruffled (T/Lt. A.H. MacCoy, DSC, SANF(V)) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda together with HMCS Agassiz (Lt. J.P. Jarvis, RCNVR). (8)

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