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Notable events involving Hepatica include:

10 Mar 1941

Convoy SC 25.

This convoy departed Halifax on 10 March 1941.

On departure from Halifax the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ashby (British, 4868 GRT, built 1927), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925, with Commodore C.M. Ford, RNR, on board), Bjorkhaug (Norwegian, 2094 GRT, built 1919), Boltonhall (British, 4824 GRT, built 1935), Bonde (Norwegian, 1570 GRT, built 1936), Borgholm (Norwegian, 1557 GRT, built 1922), Caithness (British, 4970 GRT, built 1935), Dartford (British, 4093 GRT, built 1930), Don (Norwegian, 2010 GRT, built 1924), Dunelmia (British, 5207 GRT, built 1929), Empire Caribou (British, 4861 GRT, built 1919), Eskdalegate (British, 4250 GRT, built 1930), Fano (British, 1889 GRT, built 1922), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Gezina (Norwegian, 1828 GRT, built 1917), Grelhead (British, 4274 GRT, built 1925), Havtor (Norwegian, 1524 GRT, built 1930), Hindsholm (British, 1512 GRT, built 1922), Iron Baron (British, 3231 GRT, built 1911), Knud (British, 1944 GRT, built 1900), Koranton (British, 6695 GRT, built 1920), Leka (Norwegian, 1599 GRT, built 1922), Marionga D. Thermiotis (Greek, 4784 GRT, built 1904), Mariston (British, 4557 GRT, built 1924), Nicolaos Piangos (Greek, 4499 GRT, built 1912), Nicolas (Greek, 4540 GRT, built 1910), Pagasitikos (Greek, 3942 GRT, built 1914), Parthenon (Greek, 3189 GRT, built 1908), Pegasus (Greek, 5762 GRT, built 1920), Profit (Norwegian, 1608 GRT, built 1918), Ramillies (British, 4553 GRT, built 1927), Stad Maassluis (Dutch, 6541 GRT, built 1918), Veni (Norwegian, 2982 GRT, built 1901) and Zurichmoor (British, 4455 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia (Capt.(Retd.) G.G.P. Hewett, RN) and the submarine HMS Thunderbolt (Lt. C.B. Crouch, DSO, RN).

During the night of 10/11 March 1941, the Gezina and Havtor parted company with the convoy and apparently returned to Halifax.

At 1115P/15, in position 44°32'N, 46°58'W, HMS Thunderbolt parted company with the convoy after having been ordered to do so by the Rear Admiral Submarines.

Around 0730O/22, in position 57°35'N, 33°32'W the merchant vessel Comanchee (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1100O/22, in position 57°55'N, 33°25'W the merchant vessel Roxby (British (tanker), 6837 GRT, built 1936) joined the convoy. She had also dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 1700P/22, in position 59°00'N, 25°12'W the merchant vessels Inger Lise (Norwegian, 1582 GRT, built 1939) and Velox (Norwegian, 3831 GRT, built 1922) joined the convoy. They had both dropped out of convoy HX 114.

Around 2030P/22, HMS Laconia parted company with the convoy in position 58°55'N, 25°05'W. The convoy was now not escorted. The A/S escort had not yet joined.

During the night of 24/25 March 1941, the convoy encountered a heavy easterly gale and several ships straggled from the convoy.

At 1100 hours on 26 March 1941 (time zone not known but probably Z/GMT) the A/S escort finally joined in position 58°47'N, 20°20'W. It was made up of the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), ORP Garland (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) K.F. Namiesniowski), HMS Chesterfield (Lt.Cdr. E. Gleave, RNR), sloop HMS Weston (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G. Sutton, RN) and the corvettes HMS Heather (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN), HMS Picotee (Lt.Cdr. N.C.H. Scallan, RNR) and HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR). ORP Garland was ordered to look after the stragglers.

The convoy arrived in UK waters on 30 March 1941 and was then divided into several section which then proceeded to their respective destinations. (Loch Ewe, Belfast, Barry Roads and Mersey). (1)

11 Mar 1941
HMS H 50 (Lt. P.R.H. Harrison, DSC, RN) conducted exercises off Tobermory with HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR) and HMS Amaranthus (Lt. N.B.J. Stapleton, RNR).

29 Mar 1941

Convoy SL 70.

This convoy departed Freetown on 29 March 1941 and arrived in UK waters (Liverpool) on 23 April 1941.

The convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alfred Jones (British, 5013 GRT, built 1930), Ancylus (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), Andrea Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 10173 GRT, built 1940), Barrgrove (British, 5222 GRT, built 1918), Belgravian (British, 3136 GRT, built 1937), Benledi (British, 5943 GRT, built 1930), Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927), Chelatros (Greek, 3489 GRT, built 1914), Clan MacBrayne (British, 4818 GRT, built 1916), Clan MacInnes (British, 4672 GRT, built 1920), Colytto (Dutch, 4408 GRT, built 1926), Dagomba (British, 3845 GRT, built 1928), Delius (British, 6065 GRT, built 1937), Denpark (British, 3491 GRT, built 1928), Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939), Egda (Norwegian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1939), Elstree Grange (British, 6598 GRT, built 1916), Grangepark (British, 5132 GRT, built 1919), Gunda (Swedish, 1770 GRT, built 1930), Henry Stanley (British, 5026 GRT, built 1929), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Mandalay (British, 5529 GRT, built 1911), Marconi (British, 7402 GRT, built 1917), Meliskerk (Dutch, 6045 GRT, built 1919), Para (Norwegian, 3986 GRT, built 1921), Parklaan (Dutch, 3807 GRT, built 1911), Phidias (British, 5623 GRT, built 1913), Sacramento Valley (British, 4573 GRT, built 1924), Storanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9223 GRT, built 1930) and William Wilberforce (British, 4013 GRT, built 1930).

The rescue ship Zamalek (British, 1567 GRT, built 1921) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Dragon (Capt. R.J. Shaw, MBE, RN), corvette HMS Calendula (Lt.Cdr. A.D. Bruford, RNVR) and the A/S trawlers HMS Kelt (T/Lt. W.T. Hodson, RNVR) and HMS Pict (???).

At 1726N/31, HMS Dragon parted company with the convoy. The armed merchant cruiser HMS Bulolo (Capt.(Retd.) R.L. Hamer, RN) had joined shortly before HMS Dragon parted company.

Around 1300N/4, HMS Kelt and HMS Pict parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bathurst.

At 1755N/4, HMS Calendula parted company with the convoy to proceed to Bathurst.

Around 1730N/5, the light cruiser HMS Birmingham (Capt. A.C.G. Madden, RN) and the troopship Christiaan Huygens (Dutch, 16287 GRT, built 1927) joined the convoy. They had departed Freetown around 1730N/2 to overtake the convoy.

Around 1600N/19, HMS Marsdale (Lt.Cdr. D.H.F. Armstrong, RNR) joined the convoy after which HMS Bulolo parted company.

Around 0900N/20, the destroyer HMS Winchelsea (Lt.Cdr. W.A.F. Hawkins, DSC, RN) joined the convoy.

Around 1800N/20, the destroyers HMS Harvester (Lt.Cdr. M. Thornton, DSC, RN), HMS Beagle, (Lt.Cdr. R.T. White, DSO and Bar, RN), HMCS Columbia (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) S.W. Davis, RN), HMCS St.Francis (Lt.Cdr. H.F. Pullen, RCN) and the corvettes HMS Heather (Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN), HMS Orchis (Lt. A.D. White, RNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. C. Copelin, RCNR) and HMCS Windflower (T/Lt. J.H.S. MacDonald, RCNR) joined the convoy.

At 2105N/20, HMS Birmingham parted company with the convoy to proceed to Scapa Flow.

The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 23 April 1941. Some of the A/S escorts had already parted company with the convoy earlier.

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.

23 Apr 1942
HMS H 43 (Lt. F.D.G. Challis, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Lough Foyle with USS Benson, HMCS Collingwood (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W. Woods, RCNR), HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. T. Gilmour, RCNR) and FFS Aconit. (2)

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. (3)

11 Feb 1943
HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt.Cdr. T. Gilmour, RCNR) begins a refit at New York.

24 Jul 1944
HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Border Cities (Lt. B.P. Young, RCNR) and HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. J.A. Ferguson, RCNR). (4)

29 Jul 1944
HMS L 27 (Lt. J.N. Elliott, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Bermuda with HMCS Border Cities (Lt. B.P. Young, RCNR) HMCS Hepatica (T/Lt. J.A. Ferguson, RCNR), HMCS Thetford Mines (T/Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Cobourg (T/Lt. G.H. Johnson, RCNVR). (4)

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