HMS Rushen Castle (K 372) :: Convoy OS.93/KMS.67: Reports of Proceedings, 2 November 1944

In transcribing the report below I have corrected errors which I consider are obvious typos in the original text (eg "Bayntun" for "Baynton" - 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.

The report comprises Colin Warwick's Reports of Proceedings (10 pages) to which is attached a Memorandum from Captain (D) Liverpool to the C-in-C Western Approaches, which I have also transcribed - I have not concerned myself with the remaining Staff Minute Sheets/Memoranda which comment upon the Report.

Having typed out the report, the objective (almost academic) presentation of the Special Exercise in Section 8 left me with the strong impression that my father, Eric Clubb, may have written it - however, I have no evidence for this.

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.

SECRET

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS

(ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67

Escorted by

B.21 ESCORT GROUP

HMS RUSHEN CASTLE
(SO Escort)

HMS PIMPERNEL

HMS CLOVER

(Sgd) .....

Lieutenant Commander RNR
Senior Officer B.21
Escort Group

Distribution:-

FOGMA        3 Copies
CinC Med     1 Copy
Captain (D),
Liverpool    2 Copies

REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 1. Narrative of Events

(a) All R/Vs were made on time and without difficulty.

(b) When the Convoy assumed a broad front of nine columns the escorts were stationed as follows:-

        Rushen Castle     Pimpernel     Clover
Day:-       Able           Charlie       Mike
Night:-     Able           George        Queen

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

Operation "Artichoke" for attack by day.

(c) This voyage HMS CLOVER deputised for HMS CHARLOCK the latter still not having joined the Group from Greenock owing to defects.

(d) Displacers streamed through danger area.

On the 25th October when in position 51 deg 41’ N, 07 deg 19’ W, just clear of the minefield SW of Ireland it was reported that the two support groups in the area EG.10 and EG.31 were hunting a U-boat suspected in the area.

Escorts were ordered to have Foxer gear ready for streaming and to warn their Radar Operators to keep a good watch for possible Schnorkel contacts throughout the night.

The sea was calm, and visibility poor owing to fine rain, and ideal weather for Schnorkel operation by a U-boat.

Possible U-boat tactics

It was considered that under the existing weather conditions it would be possible for a U-boat using his Schnorkel to approach within 3,000 yards undetected by Radar, and knowing that he was being hunted would most certainly fire a "Gnat" at any A/S vessel gaining contact or suspected by him to have gained a contact.

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Owing to the smallness of the Escort it was essential that the fastest ship should be able to move out at full speed to investigate any Radar contacts, and return at speed to regain her station.

RUSHEN CASTLE in position Able, was made Foxer Guard and kept her Foxer Displacers streamed, day and night through the danger area.

Thus by night and in low visibility quick action at full speed could be taken to investigate suspicious Radar contacts, and by day a Foxer Guard could be given to either of the two escorts when investigating or attacking a contact.

RUSHEN CASTLE streamed her Type B displacers at 1900A on October 25th, PNM units were tested and left rigged and ready for instant streaming.

The streaming of Displacers and testing of foxers were exercised by all escorts throughout the voyage.

Endurance test of P/V Displacers and gear.

When clear of the danger area it was decided to make an endurance test of the P/V displacers to obtain practical data on such points as:- Wear, running or P/Vs, manoeuvring the ship. (Detailed report is attached).

Displacers were streamed pm 25.10.44 and hauled inboard am 1.11.44.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 2. Detailed report on encounters with the enemy.

No enemy U-Boats, Aircraft, or surface ships encountered.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 3. Remarks on Air Escort

31st October. Homing procedure was carried out in accordance with FOGMA’s 311146A with a Ventura aircraft as follows:-

1. Set watch on 3925 kcs and 385kcs at 1530A.

2. A/C called ship on 3925 kcs at 1540A.

3. Contacted A/C and instructed her to transmit on 385 kcs.

4. Homing procedure then carried out.

On arrival of the A/C we were unable to contact her on R/T 2410, or later. Patrols were passed by V/S.

31st October. A Halifax and a Liberator were observed on patrol that day, and R/T communication was established with the latter.

1st November. Air Cover advised in FOGMA’s 312123A one Liberator, and one Ventura patrolled at a distance from the convoy. Visibility was poor during rain squalls, and interference prevented R/T contact being established.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 4. Remarks on Convoy

SS EMPIRE ALMOND developed engine-room defects and was stopped for about four hours from 1300A 26th October.

EG.10, and EG.31, support groups in the area were advised and asked to contact and provide escort back to the convoy, if possible, as a U-boat was in the area.

The SO EG.10 detached HMS BAYNTUN and HMS FOLEY who escorted EMPIRE ALMOND to the Convoy rejoining at 2200A. HMS BAYNTUN and FOLEY then swept up on either side of the convoy to 8 miles ahead before detaching.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 5. Oiling At Sea

No Escort Oiler was sailed with the Convoy, nor did one join the Convoy en route.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 6. Communications

(a) Reception of Broadcasts.

The reception of BN Routines was satisfactory throughout.

(b) Placing of Merchant Ships fitted with R/T

It is submitted that as an increasing number of merchant ships are now fitted with R/T, such ships might where possible be stationed in the rear of the Convoy, eg rear ships of alternate columns.

This would enable a quick report of stragglers, ships torpedoed and other information to be obtained by the Escort and the Commodore, and would be particularly useful when the close escort is small, and no rescue ship is present.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 7. Material

RUSHEN CASTLE. About three days after sailing a defect developed in the main condenser, probably due to ferrules working loose as on the previous outward bound voyage, and defective tubes.

This necessitated blowing down on the boilers about six times per day for about three minutes in order to reduce salinity in the boilers.

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REPORTS OF PROCEEDINGS (ACI Article 45)

CONVOY OS.93/KMS.67 B.21 ESCORT GROUP

Section 8. Special Exercises Carried Out

TYPE B DISPLACERS P/Vs & TOWING GEAR. CONTINUOUS RUNNING FOR A PERIOD OF 6 DAYS, 15 HOURS.

P/Vs slipped 1900A October 25th 1944. Position 51 deg 41’ N.
07 deg 19’ W.

Weather :- Wind SSW force 2. Sea 11. Speed 10/11 knots.

Remarks:- Displacers were streamed in calm weather at dusk on 25th October owing to the presence of an enemy submarine in the vicinity.

PNM Units tested and recovered

PNM units were streamed for testing and "chattered" satisfactorily, whereupon they were recovered, but left rigged with the travellers in position for quick streaming, by the Depth Charge sentries.

Spare PNM units tested and recovered

At 0730A on the 26th October a spare set of PNM units was streamed for testing. Both units "chattered" satisfactorily when run-in, and when recovered at 1030A the bars were well polished.

P/V’s Recovered 1000A Nov 1st 1944. Position 36 deg 10’ N.
07 deg 54’ W.

Weather :- Wind WSW force 3. Sea 21. Speed 10/11 knots.

Remarks:- PNM units were streamed for short periods, less than one hour, during the forenoon for testing and exercise.

Displacers recovered after 159 hours continuous running

When the P/V displacers were finally hove inboard, both had been running continuously for 159 hours at a speed of 12 knots. During this time the distance run through the water was about 1,900 miles. The ship carrying out a 40/50 degree zig-zag across the front of a nine column convoy making good 7 to 7½ knots. Both displacers were hove in to short stay for sighting after the first 72 hours running.

Condition of Displacers

Both displacers were running perfectly. Plugs were removed and whilst each P/V had slight air pressure inside there was no water. Working parts were in excellent working condition, and there was no sign of strain or wear.

Condition of P/V Towing gear

The only visible signs of wear on any of the gear were very slight wear of the chafing chain, and slight distending of the inboard eye on the towing wire.

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Section 8. Special Exercises Carried Out (contd)

Continuous Running of Type B Displacers

Weather during the period 25.10.44 to 1.11 44

Date MLA Zig-Zag Wind Speed Sea & Remarks
Swell

(1944) (deg) (deg) (kts)

25.10 250 40/50 SSW Force 2 12 11

26.10 226 & " WNW Force 4 " 23 Wind veering
146 Veering Sea rising

27.10 140 " NNE-NW " 45 Wind
Force 4 freshening

28.10 140 " NW Force 5 " 45

29.10 180 " NW Force 3/4 " 34 Wind
dropping

30.10 180 &    "    NW Force 5      "     44    Wind rising
       153           Veering to
                     N x E

31.10 156 " N Force 3 " 34 Wind & Sea
Backing to NW abating

1.11 090 " WSW Force 3 " 21
Backing to SW

EQUIPMENT FOXER MARK III

PNM Messenger Winch Type G. Displacer Winch Ship’s Windlass.

Towing Winch Messenger Reels Patt: 1 with extension pieces.

Towing and Slipping Arrangements 3½" SFW pendant and Blake slip.

Size and lay of Towing Wire Port 21/8" 3 stranded, right hand.
Starboard 21/8" stranded, left hand.

Displacers Type B Serial No Maker

Starboard 237 BP & Co (Streamed for test)
2614 6/2

Port 2610 6/2 (Streamed for test)
236 BP & Co

Results obtained in the abovementioned trial indicate that escort corvettes of a slow convoy (7/10 kts) may if necessary or considered prudent particularly in areas where U-boats are operating with Schnorkel, steam with Type B displacers streamed for at least 7/8 days in moderate to bad weather and heavy swell.

15 degrees of helm can be used with safety for carrying out a broad zig-zag of 40/50 degrees, at speeds of 10/12 knots.

HMS RUSHEN CASTLE
2nd November 1944

Lieutenant Commander RNR
Senior Officer, B.21 Escort Group

That concludes the Senior Officer's Reports. There follows a brief response to various issues from the Captain (D), Liverpool.

SECRET

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS – B.21 ESCORT GROUP – CONVOY
OS.93/KMS.67
(The Commanding Officer, HMS RUSHEN CASTLE’s letter
dated 2nd November 1944)

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No 0190/16
THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, WESTERN APPROACHES
(Copies to:- The Director of Anti-U-Boat Section
The Senior Officer, B.21 Escort Group
HMS RUSHEN CASTLE)

Forwarded.

2. Section 6 – Communications
Placing of Merchant Ships

Whilst it is agreed that the most efficient results can only be obtained when the R/T Guard Ships are stationed widely spaced throughout the convoy, the suggestion that R/T ships should be stationed in the rear of the convoy is not concurred in for the following reasons:-

(a) The positioning of ships in convoy columns is dependant upon other and more important factors, ie speed, cargo, destination etc, and it would therefore be considered impracticable to arrange them in any other formation merely to improve the R/T Guard.

(b) As the average convoy has a minimum of 15 percent to 20 percent of its ships now fitted with R/T it should only be in the most exceptional circumstances to find a convoy formed up in the normal way that has not got one or more of the R/T fitted ships already stationed in the rear.

3. Section 8

A copy of Section 8 has been forwarded to the Captain, HMS VERNON (M/S). The performance of displacers is noted with satisfaction.