HMS Rushen Castle (K 372) :: Convoy SL.172/MKS.63: Reports of Proceedings, 16 October 1944

I propose transcribing, over time, all the relevant Reports of Proceedings of Convoys (see "Rushen Castle in the National Archives") so that when complete they will be fully word searchable.

In transcribing the report below I have corrected errors which I consider are obvious typos in the original text (eg "MKS.63" for "KMS.63", "Pimpernel" for "Pimpernell" and "gauged" for guaged" - in all cases where I have made a conscious change, the text will be highlighted in red - this also applies where the original text is difficult to read). I have been unable in all cases to replicate the setting out of the original document.

If you are interested in viewing a copy of the original I am sure if you contact the National Archives they will sell you an electronic copy for something less than the £33.60 it cost me to have the papers scanned!

The report comprises Colin Warwick's Reports of Proceedings (10 pages) to which is attached Staff Minute Sheets/Memoranda commenting upon the Report. I have only attempted in the case of the latter documents to give you a general gist of the contents.

If you would like further information about this convoy, particularly details of the merchant ships which sailed with the convoy, I recommend you take a look at Convoy Web. In addition Mike Holdoway of Convoy Web has very kindly supplied a copy of the Orders for this convoy, a pdf of which can be seen by following the link at the bottom of the article.

SECRET

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS

(ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63

Escorted by

B.21 ESCORT GROUP

HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"
(SO Escort)

HMS "BLUEBELL"

HMS "PIMPERNEL"

Distribution:-

FOGMA        1 Copy
CinC Med     1 Copy
Captain (D),
Liverpool    4 Copies

RC Warwick

Lieut Commander RNR
Senior Officer B.21
Escort Group

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Distribution:- FOGMA 1 Copy. CinC Med 1 Copy.
The Captain (D) Liverpool 4 Copies.

Section 1: Narrative of Events

a. All R/Vs were made on time.

b. When Convoy assumed a broad front the escorts were stationed as follows:-

        "Rushen Castle"   "Pimpernel"   "Bluebell"
Day:-          A               C            M
Night:-        A               G            Q

Operation "Banana" was ordered in the event of attack by U-Boat at night.

Operation "Artichoke" for attack by day.

c. Easterly set experienced crossing the Bay of Biscay.

A strongish Easterly set was experienced whilst crossing the Bay of Biscay of about 8 to 10 miles per day, due to strong Westerly winds and heavy Westerly swell.

d. HMS "Redpole" encountered 12 October.

At 0150 a ship echo was reported by Radar at 7 miles ahead of the Convoy. The target's course was plotted and found to be about 210 deg and heading for the centre of the Convoy steering 018 deg.

The target was interrogated three times, at 0155, 0203, and 0214 but no responses were obtained.

We increased to full speed, and steered to pass her on the reciprocal course about 800 yards when abeam, visibility being poor owing to rain squalls. When 1000 yards distant on the bow, the ship appeared to be a sloop or destroyer, but we were unable to raise her by light, using a red shaded Aldis, until she had passed and was on our port quarter. Identities were exchanged ...

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

Section 1 (Contd): Narrative of Events

... whereupon we gave her the course and distance to steer to take her clear of the Convoy.

According to the Situation Report, Section SE TOO 111238, HMS "Redpole" should have been in position 42deg 04'N 10deg 00'W, whereas when contacted at 0159 her position was 43deg 45'N 10deg 14'W.

It was presumed HMS "Redpole's" radar was out of action and her 253 was either not switched on, or also out of action.

Had we been in other waters, we should have opened fire when she passed abeam of us, as we were ready to do so at the time. No other ships were given as being in the area, with the exception of a Hospital Ship.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 2: Detailed Report on Encounters with the Enemy

No enemy U-Boats, Aircraft, or Surface ships were encountered.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 3: Remarks on Air Escort

Air cover was provided on the 12 October by three Liberators (American) from 0750 until 1900.

Homing procedure was carried out in accordance with ACI Art. 330, Procedure B.

In order to exercise the other two escorts, HMS Bluebell and HMS Pimpernel, they also set watch and passed the bearings which they obtained to us by V/S.

Opportunity was also given to the other escorts in operating the aircraft, and to exercise their R/T communication with the aircraft.

It is usually very difficult to exchange V/S messages with aircraft, but these American crews were exceptionally good both at sending and receiving by V/S.

R/T communication with the first two aircraft, MGW 1 and MGW 2 was good, but the third MGW 3, was a little faint particularly when at visibility distance, about 25 miles from the convoy.

CinC WA's 120132A refers to Homing procedure to be adopted with the above mentioned aircraft.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 4: Remarks on Convoy

a. Convoy discipline was good, and despite bad weather all ships kept good station.

b. SS "Ocean Gallant" had a little trouble due to shifting cargo during the early morning of the 13 October, and was forced to turn head to sea for a little over an hour until cargo was secured.

c. The Rescue ship "St Clair" reported her steering gear defective during the night of 14 October, and that she was using the hand steering gear.

At about 0630/15 October when off the Helwick Light she requested permission to proceed to Swansea Bay to anchor and effect repairs. Permission was granted and her ETA passed to FOIC Swansea, repeated CinC WA and FOIC Greenock giving details.

At the time she was unable to state how long repairs would take, but later signalled that she would be delayed 24 hours, and the appropriate authorities were informed by signal.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 5: Oiling At Sea

No Escort Oiler was sailed with the Convoy, neither did one join the Convoy en route.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 6: Communications

a. Reception of Broadcasts.

BN reception on 107 kcs was satisfactory throughout the voyage.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMA "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 7: Material

No defects were developed in any of the Escorts during the voyage.

We developed minor defects in the Radar lantern, in the turning gear, and leads breaking, which was due to vibration in the mast during heavy weather.

These defects were remedied within a very short time by the Group Radar Officer, and the Radio Mechanic.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY SL.172/MKS.63 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 8: Special Exercises Carried Out

a. OOW Shoot for Escorts

At 1600A on 10 October an OOW shoot was carried out.

Orders had been distributed to the Escorts before leaving Gibraltar as to how this shoot was to be carried out when ordered, the object being to exercise the OOW and the Cruising Watch in engaging a U-Boat on the surface with Main Armament and Close Range weapons.

The target was dropped by us about 8 miles ahead, and 1 mile outside the starboard column of the Convoy.

The target was then engaged by "Rushen Castle", "Bluebell, and "Pimpernel" in turn. Ship in position "A" dropping target and firing, followed by ship in position "M", the former taking the latter's station. On completion of her exercise the second ship took up position "A". By the time the third ship was ready to begin, the target was within about 4,000 yards of her position, thus the A/S screen was maintained throughout the exercise.

COMMANDING OFFICER
16 OCT 1944
HMS "RUSHEN CASTLE"

That concludes the Senior Officer's Reports.

On a subsequent sheet, headed "Immediate Action and Points of Interest", an individual referred to as SOT recorded:

"I am not surprised Rushen Castle had difficulty in establishing identity of Redpole in poor visibility using Red aldis. This is entirely against the rules.

"Redpole appears to have been unaware of the presence of the convoy.

"Suggest Rushen Castle be instructed to report method of identification attempted"

This statement is struck through and described as cancelled in view of SSO's remarks which are included on the next page as follows:

SECTION 1, PARA D

RUSHEN CASTLE does not state whether she endeavoured to "challenge" REDPOLE. It would appear that he did not, but instead exchanged identities since he considered the other ship to be friendly. This is correct.

Should he have challenged, there is no objection to using a red Aldis. The criterion when challenging by flashing is to use a light which is sufficiently bright:-

(A) To attract the attention of and

(B) To be read by the other ship, with a minimum of flashing.

The brightness of light used can only correctly be gauged by the "man on the spot".

If RUSHEN CASTLE had been in "other waters" and there had been the possibility of meeting a friendly ship, he would assuredly have lit up the other ship before pressing the trigger.

SSO
25 October 1944