HMS Rushen Castle (K 372) :: Convoy MKS.98: Reports of Proceedings, 9/10 May 1945

In transcribing the report below I have corrected errors which I consider are obvious typos in the original text (eg "Allington" for "Alington", although I appreciate "Alington Castle" was originally the name of the ship until she was re-named in June 1944 - 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 documents.

If you are interested in viewing copies 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 (a hurried 5 pages) to which is attached a Staff Minute Sheet which merely states, "Uneventful passage of no interest".

To those of us who were not there however this document is of considerable interest - it reminds us that ships like HMS Rushen Castle were undertaking convoy escort duties right up to the last moments of World War II - VE day was 8 May 1945 - Colin Warwick writes in the Reports of Proceedings, "All the Escorts were 'playing hard to the final whistle', and every contact was thoroughly investigated, and anything at all promising was attacked."

In his book, "Really Not Required", Colin Warwick describes Rushen Castle's return to Gladstone Dock on that sunny afternoon shortly after the radio announcement that the war with Germany had ended.

"All the escort ships in harbour had received a signal to the effect that no firing of signal rockets, flares etc would take place. The disappointed base staff were cheered by the fact that Rushen Castle would not have received this signal, as she was still in the lock gates. Their hopes were justified, and we did the celebration honours with everything available."

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS A.C.I. (44) Article 521.

CONVOY NO: M.K.S. 98

Escorted by

CLOSE ESCORT:- HM Ships “RUSHEN CASTLE” (S.O.) “ABELIA”

“LAVENDER” “ALISMA”

H.M.C.S. “RIMOUSKI”

SUPPORT GROUP:- HM Ships “BERKELEY CASTLE” (S.O.E.G.31.)

“ALLINGTON CASTLE”, “LANCASTER CASTLE”

“DUMBARTON CASTLE”, “HADLEIGH CASTLE”

“CARISBROOKE CASTLE”

Sections:- 1, 3, & 4 Only.

Distribution:-

F.O.G.M.A. 3, Copies.

C in C Med: 1, Copy.

Captain (D)

Liverpool 2, Copies.

Captain (D) ` R.C. Warwick

Gibraltar 1, Copy. (R.C. Warwick)

Lieut. Commander R.N.R

In Command.

H.M.S. “RUSHEN CASTLE”

May 9th 1945.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS A.C.I. (44) Article 521.

CONVOY NO: M.K.S. 98

Section 1. Narrative of Events.

At 1900B 5th May 1945, H.M. Ships “RUSHEN CASTLE” (S.0.), “ABELIA”, “ALISMA”, and H.M.C.S “RIMOUSKI” with the Rescue Ship “EMPIRE SHELTER” detached from O.S. 126/K.M.S 100 in position 46.55’N., 06.35’W to join M.K.S. 98 escorted by H.M.S. “LAVENDER”.

M.K.S. 98 was joined at 2140B in position 46.3’N., 06.25’W and Convoy papers were passed to “RUSHEN CASTLE” by H.M.S. “LAVENDER” before darkness. H.M.S. “RUSHEN CASTLE” then assumed the duties of S.O. Escort for M.K.S. 98.

M.K.S. 98 consisted of 15 ships in 5 columns of which 9 were for the English Channel, and 6 for the Irish Sea Section. The Commodore was Cdre Ratsey R.N.R. in s.s. “EMPIRE FALKLAND” and detached with the English Channel Section, the Vice-Commodore, the Master of s.s. “CADUCEUS” then becoming Commodore for the Irish Sea Section.

E.G. 31 SUPPORT GROUP JOINS.

E.G. 31 consisting of H.M. Ships “BERKELEY CASTLE” (S.O.), “CARISBROOKE CASTLE”, “HADLEIGH CASTLE”, “DUMBARTON CASTLE”, “LANCASTER CASTLE”, “ALLINGTON CASTLE”, joined at 2245B 5th, also from O.S. 126/K.M.S 100 to support M.K.S. 98 until further orders.

DISPOSITION OF ESCORTS.

At 2245B 5th the Close Escort and Support Group were stationed as follows:-

Close Escort

Ship:- “Rushen Castle” “Lavender” “Abelia” “Rimouski” “Alisma”

Station:- “A” “N” “O” “D” “E”

---------------

Support Group

Ship:- “Berkeley”“Allington”“Lancaster”“Dumbarton”“Hadleigh”

Station:- “F” “G” “R” “S” “Q”

Ship:- “Carisbrooke”

Station:- “P”

---------------

At 2000B 6th May in position 49.10’N, 05.58’W the English Channel Section (3 colums.9 ships) detached escorted by H.M.C.S. “RIMOUSKI” (S.O.), and H.M.S. “ALISMA”, supported by H.M. Ships “INGLIS” and “MOUNSEY” the latter two ships having joined at 1930B. The screen on the Irish Sea Section was amended as follows. (2 columns.6 ships).

Close Escort

Ship:- “Rushen Castle” “Lavender” “Abelia”

Station:- “A” “E” “O”

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS A.C.I. (44) Article 521.

CONVOY NO: M.K.S. 98

Section 1. Narrative of Events. Contd.

DISPOSITION OF ESCORTS

Support Group

Ship:- “Berkeley”“Carisbrooke”“Allington”“Dumbarton”“Hadleigh”

Station:- “C” “P” “F” “S” “Q”

Ship:- “Lancaster”

Station:- “R”

---------------

At 1645B 7th May E.G. 31 detached off Milford Haven Buoy to transfer to, and support, M.H. 106. The Close Escort was then stationed as follows:-

Close Escort

Ship:- “Rushen Castle” “Abelia” “Lavender”

Station:- “A” “P” “E”

---------------

The escort provided for M.K.S. 98 of 11 escorts for 15 ships was most impressive. All the Escorts were “playing hard to the final whistle”, and every contact was thoroughly investigated, and anything at all promising was attacked. To the great regret of all, no contact was made with the enemy.

H.M.S. “RUSHEN CASTLE”

May 9th 1945.

Reports of Proceedings. M.K.S. 98 Section 3.

Air Escort.

Signals from C. in C.W.A.

1. Immediate. Addressed ships escorting M.K.S. 98.

A.C.I. 242 Procedure B. Set watch on D/F frequency 385 kcs at 0540B to 1600 B and keep look out for Warwick aircraft call sign U H W 5 and Liberator from 1300 B to 2230 B, call sign U H W 6.

060535 B.

2. Immediate. M.K.S. 98.

Amend my 060535 B. Call sign of Liberator is Z 8 T W 10.

061045 B.

---------------

1. Time of receipt of first signal on B N s was 0552 B. Watch was set on 385 kcs at 0610 B. Aircraft 8 T W 9 was heard at once and was answered but no contact was made. U H convoy was heard working its own aircraft. Contact was first effected at 0640 on 2410 kcs.

Aircraft briefed from shore, carried out Crocodile 7, Eam 10.

2. Set watch for aircraft 8 T W 10 at 1250 B. Aircraft heard at 1258 B and contact was made immediately. Six bearings were passed. Communications with this aircraft were very successful. At 1353 aircraft was over the convoy and in contact on 2410 kcs.

Aircraft carried out Crocodile 7, remaining 8 and a half hours.

H.M.S. Rushen Castle

10 / 5 / 1945.

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS A.C.I. (44) Article 521.

CONVOY NO: M.K.S. 98

Section 4. Remarks on Convoy.

The convoy kept excellent station throughout, and an emergency turn of 45 deg. to port at 1745B 6th May, made to allow RUSHEN CASTLE and BERKELEY CASTLE to attack and investigate a suspicious contact ahead, was carried out most efficiently.