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Notable events involving Rimouski include:

20 May 1941

Convoy HX 128.

This convoy departed Halifax on 20 May 1941.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alaska (Norwegian, 5681 GRT, built 1918), Alhama (British, 1352 GRT, built 1938), Aymeric (British, 5196 GRT, built 1919), Baron Haig (British, 3391 GRT, built 1926), Barrwhin (British, 4998 GRT, built 1929), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), Cape Clear (British, 5085 GRT, built 1939), Dorcasia (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Empire Kittyhawk (British, 5675 GRT, built 1918), Empire Mahseer (British, 5087 GRT, built 1920), Empire Storm (British, 7290 GRT, built 1941), Empire Sunbeam (British, 6711 GRT, built 1941), Gloucester City (British, 3071 GRT, built 1919), Harperley (British, 4586 GRT, built 1930), Hjelmaren (Swedish, 2467 GRT, built 1922), Inger Lise (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939), La Paz (British, 6548 GRT, built 1920), Lancaster Castle (British, 5172 GRT, built 1937), Leiv Eiriksson (Norwegian (tanker), 9952 GRT, built 1936), Llanover (British, 4959 GRT, built 1928), Montreal City (British, 3066 GRT, built 1920), Oltenia (British (tanker), 6394 GRT, built 1928), Pilar de Larringaga (British, 7046 GRT, built 1918), Silvercedar (British, 4354 GRT, built 1924), Skaraas (Norwegian (tanker), 9826 GRT, built 1936), Swiftpool (British, 5205 GRT, built 1929), Thorshavet (Norwegian (tanker), 11015 GRT, built 1938), Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930), Tilapa (British, 5392 GRT, built 1928), Torborg (Norwegian (tanker), 6042 GRT, built 1921) and Treminnard (British, 4964 GRT, built 1922).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS California (Capt. C.J. Pope, RAN) and the corvettes HMCS Alberni (Lt. G.O. Baugh, RCNR) and HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. J.W. Bonner, RCNR). The corvettes soon returned to Halifax though.

Three recently transferred US Coast Guard Cutters were also with the convoy, though these had not been re-armed and worked up. These were the HMS Sennen (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Kinloch, RN), HMS Totland (Lt.Cdr.(Emgy.) S.G.C. Rawson, RN) and HMS Walney (?).

On 24 May 1941, after the news was received that German warships were trying to break out into the Atlantic, the battleship HMS Revenge (Capt. E.R. Archer, RN) departed Halifax to join the convoy. She overtook and joined the convoy around 1345O/28.

In the morning of May 27th, Convoy BHX 128, merged with convoy HX 128. This was a few days later then had been intended. Convoy BHX 128 was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amsterdam (Dutch (tanker), 7329 GRT, built 1922), British Chivalry (British (tanker), 7118 GRT, built 1929), British Diligence (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), British Fusilier (British, 6943 GRT, built 1923), Cardita (British (tanker), 8237 GRT, built 1931), Charles Racine (Norwegian (tanker), 9957 GRT, built 1937), Clavella (British (tanker), 8097 GRT, built 1939), Designer (British, 5495 GRT, built 1928), Drammensfjord (Norwegian, 5339 GRT, built 1920), Eulima (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), San Cirilo (British (tanker), 8012 GRT, built 1937) and Thistlegorm (British, 4898 GRT, built 1940). They had departed Bermuda on 18 May escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, RN) which parted company after the convoys had merged.

Around 1900O/29, Convoy HX 128 was temporary joined by Convoy SC 32 and her escort, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN). Convoy SC 32 took station astern of convoy HX 128.

Around 2200Z/31, HMS Revenge and HMS Laconia parted company with the convoys to return to Halifax or to proceed to Reykjavik respectively.

HMS California eventually went with the convoy to the U.K. although it had originally been intended for her to detach and proceed to Reykjavik.

A/S escorts commenced to join the convoy as from 30 or 31 May but sources vary on their composition. [this will have to be researched further in the future.]

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 6 June 1941.

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. (1)

15 Dec 1943
HMS H 32 (Lt. K.S. Renshaw, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. R.J. Pickford, RCNVR), HMCS Eyebright (T/Lt. H.L. Quinn, RCNVR), HMCS Saskatchewan (Cdr. R.C. Medley, DSO, RN) and HMCS Pictou (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.K. Fox, RCNVR). (2)

7 Mar 1944
HrMs O 9 (Lt. J.B.M.J. Maas, RNN) participated in A/S exercises off Lough Foyle together with HMS Louis (A/Lt.Cdr. R. Johnston, RNR), HMCS Waskesiu (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Fraser, RCNR), HMCS Rimouski (T/Lt. R.J. Pickford, RCNVR) and HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. J.A. Dunn, RCNVR). (3)

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