Navy | The Royal Canadian Navy |
Type | Corvette |
Class | Flower |
Pennant | K 145 |
Built by | Marine Industries Ltd. (Sorel, Quebec, Canada) |
Ordered | 22 Jan 1940 |
Laid down | 11 Apr 1940 |
Launched | 8 Aug 1940 |
Commissioned | 22 Nov 1940 |
End service | 27 Jun 1945 |
History | Fo'c's'le extended at Baltimore (Maryland, U.S.A.) on 25 May 1944. Decommissioned and returned to the Royal Navy on 27 June 1945. |
Former name | HMS Arrowhead |
Commands listed for HMCS Arrowhead (K 145)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
Commander | From | To | |
1 | T/Lt. Victor Harrison Torraville, RCNR | 21 Nov 1940 | 17 Jan 1941 |
2 | Lt.Cdr. Edgar George Skinner, RCNR | 18 Jan 1941 | 19 Apr 1943 |
3 | Skr.Lt. Lester Alton Hickey, RCNR | 20 Apr 1943 | 10 Feb 1944 |
4 | T/Lt. William Percy Wickett, RCNVR | 11 Feb 1944 | 4 Mar 1944 |
5 | T/Lt. Roy Howard Sylvester, RCNVR | 5 Mar 1944 | 15 Apr 1944 |
6 | Skr.Lt. Lester Alton Hickey, RCNR | 16 Apr 1944 | 21 Oct 1944 |
7 | T/Lt. Roy Howard Sylvester, RCNVR | 22 Oct 1944 | 27 Jun 1945 |
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Notable events involving Arrowhead include:
15 Jan 1941
Convoy HX 103.
This convoy departed Halifax on 15 January 1941 for Liverpool where it arrived on 1 February 1941.
Upon departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant ships: Botusk (British, 3091 GRT, built 1919), Emmaplein (Dutch, 5436 GRT, built 1926), Gandia (Belgian, 9629 GRT, built 1907), Gard (Norwegian (tanker), 8259 GRT, built 1938), Jean Jadot (Belgian, 5859 GRT, built 1929), King William (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928) and Trehata (British, 4817 GRT, built 1928).
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the battleship HMS Royal Sovereign (Capt. H.B. Jacomb, RN), the destroyer HMCS Restigouche (Cdr. H.N. Lay, OBE, RN) and the corvette HMCS Arrowhead (T/Lt. V.H. Torraville, RCNR).
The destroyer and the corvette parted company with the convoy on the 16th and returned to Halifax.
On 18 January convoy BHX 103 coming from Bermuda merged with convoy HX 103. Convoy BHX 103 had been made up of the merchant vessels Athelfoam (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1931), Dolabella (British (tanker), 8142 GRT, built 1939), Empire Shearwater (British, 4970 GRT, built 1920), Mamura (Dutch (tanker), 8245 GRT, built 1932) and Mijdrecht (Dutch (tanker), 7493 GRT, built 1931). It had departed Bermuda on 13 January 1941 and had been escorted to the rendez-vous position by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Montclare (Capt.(Retd.) H.M. Spreckley, RN) which was then detached.
The battleship parted company with the convoy on 26 January and then returned to Halifax.
On 27 January 1941 the destroyer HMS Vanquisher (Lt. A.P. Northey, DSC, RN) and corvettes HMS Gentian (Lt.Cdr. R.O. Yeomans, RD, RNR) and HMS Verbena (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Rayner, DSC, RNVR) joined the convoy but they were detached later the same day. On 28 January 1941 the destroyers HMS Viscount (Lt.Cdr. M.S. Townsend, OBE, DSC, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. A.B. Russell, RN) and HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) joined the convoy. They were detached on 31 January 1941.
The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 1 February 1941, apparently unescorted.
Two merchant vessels were lost when the convoy ran into the British minefield SN 2 (north-west of Rona Island, in approximate position 59°08'N, 05°52'W) on 31 January 1941. These were the Botusk and Emmaplein.
27 Apr 1941
Convoy SL 73.
This convoy departed Freetown on 27 April 1941 for the U.K.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agios Georgios (Greek, 4248 GRT, built 1911), Alcyone (Dutch, 4534 GRT, built 1921), Atland (Swedish, 5203 GRT, built 1910), British Chemist (British (tanker), 6997 GRT, built 1925), Brynymor (British, 4771 GRT, built 1936), Celtic Star (British, 5575 GRT, built 1918), City of Florence (British, 6862 GRT, built 1918), Clan Skene (British, 5214 GRT, built 1919), Daronia (British (tanker), 8139 GRT, built 1939), Defoe (British, 6245 GRT, built 1940), Elg (British, 4014 GRT, built 1930), Empire Gunner (British, 4492 GRT, built 1906), Fana (Norwegian, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Guelma (British, 4402 GRT, built 1928), Hardanger (Norwegian, 4000 GRT, built 1924), Harpalion (British, 5486 GRT, built 1932), Hartington (British, 5496 GRT, built 1932), Hartismere (British, 5498 GRT, built 1933), Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), Katanga (Belgian, 5183 GRT, built 1917), Laplace (British, 7327 GRT, built 1919), Llancarvan (British, 4910 GRT, built 1937), Lysaker V (Norwegian, 1571 GRT, built 1936), Novasli (Norwegian, 3204 GRT, built 1920), Penolver (British, 3721 GRT, built 1912), Robert L. Holt (British, 2918 GRT, built 1926), Rod-el-Farag (Egyptian, 6369 GRT, built 1910), Rupert de Larrinaga (British, 5358 GRT, built 1930), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), Sagaing (British, 7958 GRT, built 1925), Solon II (British, 4561 GRT, built 1925), Starcross (British, 4662 GRT, built 1936), Suva (British, 4873 GRT, built 1938), Svend Foyn (British, 14795 GRT, built 1931), Tanafjord (Norwegian, 5922 GRT, built 1921), Thomas Holt (British, 3585 GRT, built 1929) and Titus (Dutch, 1712 GRT, built 1930). (British, GRT, built ).
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Esperance Bay (Capt.(ret) G.S. Holden, RN) and the corvettes HMS Clematis (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Crocus (Lt.Cdr. E. Wheeler, RNR), HMS Cyclamen (Lt. H.N. Lawson, RNR) and HMS Marguerite (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Blundell, RNR).
On 29 April 1941 the destroyer HMS Duncan (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) joined coming from Bathurst. She parted company with the convoy on 1 May 1941 to proceed to Gibraltar.
Around 1540N/3, the light cruiser HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN) joined the convoy coming from Freetown. She remained with the convoy until 1820N/4 when she parted company to return to Freetown.
On 19 May 1941, the destroyers HMS Boadicea (A/Cdr. E.C.L. Turner, RN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN) and the armed boarding vessels HMS Hilary (Cdr. T.L. Owen, RD, RNR) and HMS Registan (A/Cdr. E.A. Divers, RNR) joined the convoy. Around this time HMS Esperance Bay most likely parted company with the convoy.
On 20 May 1941, the destroyer HMCS St. Clair (Lt.Cdr. D.C. Wallace, RCNR), sloop HMS Egret (A/Capt. E.M. Haes, RN) and the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Lt.Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR), HMCS Snowberry (T/Lt. R.S. Kelley, RCNR) and HMCS Spikenard (Lt.Cdr. H.G. Shadforth, RCNR) joined the convoy.
The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1930) also joined the convoy around the 19/20th.
On 21 May 1941, the destroyers HMCS St. Francis and HMCS St. Clair parted company with the convoy.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 25 May 1941.
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. (1)
9 Oct 1942
HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. T. Gilmour, RCNR) and HMCS Arrowhead (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, DSO, RCNR) together pick up 19 survivors from the Canadian merchant Carolus that was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of St.Lawrence near Bic Island in position 48°47'N, 68°10'W by German U-boat U-69.
21 Dec 1942
Convoy HX 220.
This convoy departed New York on 21 December 1942.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Abangarez (American, 4538 GRT, built 1909), Andrew Moore (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Baharistan (British, 5479 GRT, built 1928), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Consuelo (British, 4847 GRT, built 1937), Cornelius Harnett (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937), Fort Hudson's Hope (British, 7129 GRT, built 1942), Fort Paskoyac (British, 7134 GRT, built 1934), Fort Slave (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fort Wedderburne (British, 7134 GRT, built 1942), Fred W. Weller (Amrican (tanker) 10626 GRT, built 1917), Gulf of Venezuela (American, 6910 GRT, 1919), Henri Jaspar (Belgian, 5760 GRT, built 1929), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Mokambo (British, 4996 GRT, built 1938), Mosli (Norwegian (tanker), 8291 GRT, built 1935), N. T. Nielsen-Alonso (Norwegian, 9214 GRT, built 1900), Nicania (British (tanker), 8179 GRT, built 1942), Nicholas Gilman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936), Pachesham (British, 6085 GRT, built 1920), Pan-Rhode Island (American (tanker), 7742 GRT, built 1941), Silverash (British, 7750 GRT, built 1926), Southern Sun (American (tanker), 8893 GRT, built 1931), Stad Vlaardingen (Dutch, 8501 GRT, built 1925), Stuart Prince (British, 1911 GRT, built 1940), Thurland Castle (British, 6372 GRT, built 1929), Voco (British (tanker), 5090 GRT, built 1925) and Wallace E. Pratt (American (tanker), 7991 GRT, built 1937).
The escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Battler (A/Capt. F.M.R. Stephenson, RN) was also part of the convoy.
On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyer HMS Warwick (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Buttercup (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Columbine T/Lt. A.L. Turner, RNR), HMCS Dunvegan (T/Lt. J.A. Tullis, RCNR), HMCS Fennel (T/Lt. R.B. Warwick, RCNVR), HMCS Hepatica (T/A/Lt.Cdr. T. Gilmour, RCNR and the minesweeper HMCS Cowichan (T/Skr.Lt. K.W.N. Hall, RCNR).
The merchant vessel Gulf of Venezuela returned to New York.
On 24 December 1942, the Fred W. Weller and Wallace E. Pratt arrived at Halifax after having detached from the convoy. They were escorted to Halifax by HMCS Dunvegan, HMCS Fennel, HMCS Hepatica and HMCS Cowichan.
The following merchant vessels joined the convoy on 24 December coming from Halifax; Empire Tide (British, 6978 GRT, built 1941), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Mathew Luckenbach (American, 7551 GRT, built 1918), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1935), Skaraas (Norwegian (tanker), 9826 GRT, built 1936), Tropic Star (Norwegian, 5047 GRT, built 1926) and Vav (Norwegian (tanker), 6415 GRT, built 1931). They were escorted by the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Cdr. E.G. Skinner, RCNR), HMCS Chicoutimi (T/Lt. H.G. Dupont, RCNR) and the minesweeper HMCS Digby (T/Lt. S.W. Howell, RCNR). The corvettes joined the convoy while HMS Digby returned to Halifax.
At 1200Z/26, the merchant vessel Good Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 7805 GRT, built 1938) departed St. Johns to join the convoy. She was escorted by the corvette HMS Clover (Lt.Cdr. F.A. Shaw, RNR). They were joined at daylight on the 27th by the destroyers HMS Beverley (Cdr. E.C.L. Day, RN), HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and the corvettes HMS Abelia (T/Lt. F. Ardern, RNR), HMS Anemone (Lt.Cdr. P.G.A. King, RD, RNR), HMS Asphodel (Lt. H.P. Carse, DSC, RNVR) and HMS Lavender ( Lt. L.G. Pilcher, RNR) which had departed St. Johns around 1330Z/26. They all joined convoy HX 220 around 1200Z/27 in position 48°07'N, 48°42'W. All current escorts then parted company to proceed to St. Johns where they arrived on the 28th.
During the night of 27/28 December 1942, the Mathew Luckenbach and Tropic Star straggled from the convoy and never rejoined. They proceeded independently to the U.K.
On 28 December 1942, the Andrew Moore and Parcheshamparted company with the convoy to proceed to St. Johns due to defects.
At 1600Z/3, HMS Clover took over as Senior Officer of the escort as HMS Beverley and HMS Winchelsea parted company to proceed to Hvalfjord, Iceland to fuel. Attempts to fuel at sea from the Mosli had been not very successful with only a very limited amount of fuel being transferred to either of the destroyers due to the bad weather conditions. They arrived at Hvalfjord around 0845Z/5.
On 5 January 1943, HMS Clover was able to fuel from the Mosli.
On 6 January 1943, HMS Anemone was able to fuel from the Mosli.
Around 1600Z/6, HMS Battler and the Noesaniwi parted company with the convoy to proceed ahead of the main convoy to the U.K. They were escorted by HMS Asphodel and HMS Lavender which were short of fuel.
On 8 January 1943, the convoy arrived in U.K. waters and was divided in several sections which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (2)
5 Feb 1944
Convoy HX 278.
This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1944.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; A Frank Lever (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), Alan-A-Dale (Panamanian, 4646 GRT, built 1938), Andrea Gritti (Italian, 6404 GRT, built 1943), Andrew A. Humphreys (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), Athelduke (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1929), Avristan (British, 7266 GRT, built 1942), Belgian Gulf (Panamanian (tanker), 8237 GRT, 1929), Brimanger (Norwegian, 4883 GRT, built 1929), Cornwall (British, 10605 GRT, built 1920), Cymbula (British (tanker), 8082 GRT, built 1938), Edward D. White (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), El Oceano (Panamanian, 6767 GRT, built 1925), Empire Strength (British, 7355 GRT, built 1942), Fernwood (Norwegian, 4695 GRT, built 1930), Fjordass (Norwegian (tanker), 7361 GRT, built 1931), Florence Crittenton (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Fort St.Croix (British, 7160 GRT, built 1943), George G. Crawford (American, 7198 GRT, built 1944), George T. Angell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Grant Wood (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Harvey Cushing (American, 7240 GRT, built 1943), Henry S. Lane (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Watterson (American, 7225 GRT, built 1943), Irwin Russell (American, 7218 GRT, built 1943), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), John Davenport (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Merrick (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John N. Maffitt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph Jefferson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Julius Rosenwald (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Longwood (British (tanker), 9463 GRT, built 1930), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Mobile City (American, 6157 GRT, built 1920), Omar E. Chapman (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Orari (British, 10350 GRT, built 1931), Ovula (Dutch (tanker), 6256 GRT, built 1938), Robert Toombs (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Samuel Colt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), San Vito (British (tanker), 8163 GRT, built 1943), Socony-Vacuum (American (tanker), 9511 GRT, built 1935), Sovac (British (tanker), 6724 GRT, 1938), Trojan Star (British, 9037 GRT, built 1936), Vacport (British (tanker), 6774 GRT, built 1930), W.R. Keever (American, 5350 GRT, built 1920), William McKinley (American, 7200 GRT, built 1920) and William Pepperell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).
On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the corvettes HMCS Cobalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.A. Judges, RCNVR), HMCS Timmins (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.S. Maxwell, RCNVR), HMCS Trail (T/Lt. G.M. Hope, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Winnipeg (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.D.F. Johnston, RCNR).
On 7 February 1944, the following merchant vessels departed Halifax to join the convoy; Ariguani (British, 6746 GRT, built 1926), Bayano (British, 6815 GRT, built 1917), Benjamin H. Grierson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), David F. Houston (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Edward Everett (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Egbert Benson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Empire MacMahon (British (tanker and MAC ship), 8856 GRT, built 1943), Fort Amherst (British, 3489 GRT, built 1936), Henry George (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), James I. McKay (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Jeremiah O'Brien (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John Chandler (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), John G. Whittier (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Montgemery City (American, 5686 GRT, built 1920), Stephen B. Elkins (American, 7180 GRT, built 1943), Victor Herbert (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and Walter A. Luckenbach (American, 6024 GRT, built 1918).
The rescue ship Fastnet (British, 1415 GRT, built 1928) was also part of this group.
They were escorted by the corvettes HMCS Arrowhead (Skr.Lt. L.A. Hickey, RCNR), HMCS Port Arthur (T/Lt.Cdr. E.T. Simmons, DSO, DSC, RCNVR) and the minesweeper HMCS Sault Ste Marie (Lt.Cdr. R. Jackson, RCNVR). HMCS Arrowhead however returned the following day.
On these merchant ships joining the convoy the Harvey Cushing and Socony-Vacuum were detached to Halifax escorted by HMCS Port Arthur and HMCS Sault Ste Marie. They all arrived around Halifax on 9 February 1944.
Also on 9 February 1944, the Vacport arrived back at New York after having been forced to return.
On 10 February 1944, the original escort was replaced by a new escort made up of the frigates HMS Mourne (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Holland, RD, RNR), corvettes HMS Clematis (T/Lt. R.H. Farrands, DSC, RNR), HMS Gentian (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Heather (T/Lt. W.L. Turner, RNR) and the minesweeper HMS Tattoo (T/Lt. A. Twiss, RNVR). The came from Argentia and St. Johns which they had departed between 7 and 9 February 1944.
On 11 February 1944, the Fort Amherst arrived at St. Johns after having been detached from the convoy. She was escorted by HMS Cobalt and HMCS Winnipeg.
On 13 February 1944, the Cairnesk arrived at St. Johns with defects after having been detached from the convoy. She was escorted by HMS Timmins and HMCS Trail.
On 14 February 1944, the corvette HMS Berkeley Castle (T/Lt. F.A. Darrah, RNVR) joined the convoy after having departed St. Johns on 11 February 1944.
On 14 February 1944, ships from the 2nd Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.W. Walker, CB, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC, RN), HMS Woodpecker (Cdr. H.L. Pryse, RNR) and HMS Wren (Cdr.(Retd.) L.B.A. Majendie, RN). They remained with the convoy until 17 February 1944.
On 15 February 1944, the escort carriers HMS Striker (Capt. F.M. Walton, RN), HMS Fencer (A/Capt. W.W.R. Bentinck, OBE, RN) joined the convoy.
On 16 February 1944, ships from the 7th Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the sloops HMS Woodcock (Cdr.(Retd.) J.F. Blackburn, DSO, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Hart (Cdr.(Retd.) M.B. Sherwood, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Crane (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Jenkins, RN) and from the 10th Escort Group joined the convoy, these were the frigates HMS Spey (Cdr. G.A.G. Ormsby, RN), HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR), HMS Lossie (Lt.Cdr. A.F. MacFie, OBE, RNR), HMS Rother (Cdr. Y.M. Cleeves, DSO, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Wear (Lt.Cdr. Gerald MacClelland, DSC, RN). Both the 7th and 10th Escort Group parted company with the convoy on 17 February 1944.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 19 February 1944.
26 Jul 1944
HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Arrowhead (Skr.Lt. L.A. Hickey, RCNR), HMCS Guelph (Lt. G.H. Hayes, DSC, RCN), HMCS Thetford Mines (T/Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Mahone (T/Lt. L.R. Hoar, RCNVR). (3)
27 Jul 1944
HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Thetford Mines (T/Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR), HMCS Cobourg (T/Lt. G.H. Johnson, RCNVR), HMCS Arrowhead (Skr.Lt. L.A. Hickey, RCNR) and HMCS Guelph (Lt. G.H. Hayes, DSC, RCN).
1 Aug 1944
HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with and HMCS Runnymede (Lt. R.C. Chenoweth, RCNVR), HMCS Joliette (Skr.Lt. G.N. Downey, RCNR), HMCS Arrowhead (Skr.Lt. L.A. Hickey, RCNR) and HMCS Mahone (T/Lt. L.R. Hoar, RCNVR). (3)
16 Apr 1945
HMCS Arrowhead (K 145) helped search for survivors from the sinking of HMCS Esquimalt (J 272) after it was sunk (4)
Media links
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Sources
- ADM 178/13 + ADM 199/1142
- ADM 199/576 + ADM 199/717 + ADM 199/2100
- ADM 199/1830
- Personal communication
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.
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