James Geoffrey Penrose Ingham DSO, RN

Born  26 Mar 1879
Died  11 Sep 1958(79)


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Ranks

15 May 1895 Mid.
15 Nov 1898 S.Lt.
1 Apr 1901 Lt.
1 Apr 1909 Lt.Cdr.
30 Jun 1914 Cdr.
31 Dec 1920 Capt.
 Capt. (Retd.)

Retired: 5 Jul 1922


Decorations

WW I DSO
27 Dec 1940 Mentioned in Despatches (MID)

Warship Commands listed for James Geoffrey Penrose Ingham, RN


ShipRankTypeFromTo
HMS Alcantara (F 88)Capt. (Retd.)Armed Merchant Cruiser12 Sep 19397 Nov 1941

Career information

We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.

Events related to this officer

Armed Merchant Cruiser HMS Alcantara (F 88)


27 Sep 1939
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) was commissioned at Southampton with a Portsmouth crew. She had not yet been outfitted as armed merchant cruiser though. This was to take place at Malta.

She was briefly used for transport of military personnel to the Mediterranean. (1)

28 Sep 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy Red 2.

This convoy departed Southampton on 29 September 1939.

It was made up of the liners (serving as troopships); Athlone Castle (British, 25564 GRT, built 1936), Empress of Australia (British, 21833 GRT, built 1914) and Franconia (British, 20175 GRT, built 1923).

The armed merchant cruiser (not outfitted yet) HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) was also part of the convoy.

The convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Inglefield (Capt. A.G. Talbot, RN) and HMS Ivanhoe (Cdr. B. Jones, RN) which joined in Spithead early on the 29th.

The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on 3 October 1939.

The convoy, less the Athlone Castle departed Gibraltar later the same day. The convoy was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Greyhound (Cdr. W.R. Marshall A'Deane, RN) and HMS Glowworm (Lt.Cdr. G.B. Roope, RN).

At 0815A/5, the destroyers HMS Decoy (Cdr. E.G. McGregor, RN) and HMS Delight (Cdr. M. Fogg-Elliott, RN), which came from Malta, took over from HMS Greyhound and HMS Gipsy which then parted company.

At 1746A/5, HMS Alcantara and the Franconia collided. Both ships were damaged.

The convoy arrived at Malta on 6 October 1939.

The convoy departed Malta on 7 October 1939 but was now only made up of the Empress of Australia. She was now escorted by the destroyers HMS Grenville (Capt. G.E. Creasy, MVO, RN) and HMS Gipsy (Lt.Cdr. N.J. Crossley, RN).

The convoy arrived at Alexandria on 9 October 1939.

13 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Malta for Alexandria.

15 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Alexandria from Malta. At Alexandria she was taken in hand for repairs to her hull caused by the collision on 5 October.

23 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Alexandria for Malta.

25 Oct 1939 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Malta from Alexandria. She was then taken in hand for conversion to armed merchant cruiser at the Malta Dockyard.

20 Dec 1939
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) completed her conversion to armed merchant cruiser by the Malta Dockyard. She now commenced a work-up period.

No log is available for December 1939, so no further details for this month can be given.] (1)

1 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted compass swing and D/F trials off Malta. Also gunnery exercises were carried out. (2)

2 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Malta. (2)

3 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Malta on completion of which course was set for Gibraltar.

HMS Alcantara was to join the South Atlantic Station. (2)

6 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. (2)

7 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Gibraltar for Freetown. (2)

13 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Gibraltar. (2)

14 Jan 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1800N/14, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She was to patrol along the east coast of South America. (3)

11 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1145Q/11, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands from patrol. (4)

15 Feb 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1415Q/15, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Port Stanley, Falkland Islands to patrol in the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (4)

1 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed her patrol area in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area for a new patrol area in the ' River Plate ' focal area. (5)

8 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900P/8, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol.

It had been arranged for her to fuel there as this had earlier been the intention do so at Rio de Janeiro but no fuel had been available there. (5)

9 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915P/9, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol. She had been ordered to patrol in the ' River Plate ' focal area. (5)

14 Mar 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed her patrol area in the ' River Plate ' focal area to proceed northwards to the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. (5)

29 Mar 1940
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed her patrol area in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area for the ' Permambuco ' focal area and then onwards to Freetown. (5)

6 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Z/6, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. At Freetown boiler cleaning was taken in hand. (6)

17 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1500Z/17, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for Dakar. (6)

19 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0815N/19, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Dakar from Freetown.

Around 1800N/19, she departed Dakar to patrol off the east coast of South America. (6)

24 Apr 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) commenced to patrol in the ' Pernambuco ' focal area. (6)

1 May 1940
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed the ' Pernambuco ' focal area for the ' River Plate ' forcal area. (7)

7 May 1940
Around 0830O/7, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. E. Rotherham, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) and the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) made rendezvous at Samborombón Bay where both then anchored.

HMS Alcantara then embarked three crewmembers from HMS Hawkins to take these with her to Simonstown where they were to be hospitalised. The Commanding Officer of HMS Hawkins was among these three. The executive officer, Cdr.(Retd.) W.A. Whittaker, RN, took temporary command of HMS Hawkins.

Around 1900O/7, HMS Alcantara weighed anchor and set course for Simonstown where she was to dock and taken in hand for defects.

Around 2110O/7, HMS Hawkins weighed anchor after having fuelled from the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) to resume her patrol in the River Plate focal area. (8)

19 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1120B/19, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived in False Bay near Simonstown. Before anchoring gunnery exercises were carried out. (9)

20 May 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) is docked in the Selborne graving dock at the Simonstown dockyard. (9)

24 Jun 1940
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) is undocked. (10)

26 Jun 1940
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted compass swing, D/F calibration and director trials in False Bay off Simonstown. She departed for and arrived at Capetown later the same day. (11)

27 Jun 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1115B/27, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Capetown for patrol. She is to patrol off the east coast of South America, first proceeding to the ' River Plate ' focal area. (11)

10 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0945O/10, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) dropped anchor in Samborombón Bay. Later that day the RFA tanker Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937) came alongside and fuelled the armed merchant cruiser. (12)

11 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0140O/11, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Samborombón Bay for patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. (12)

17 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area to patrol in the ' Pernambuco ' focal area. (13)

22 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) is ordered to proceed towards Trinidade Island to inspect the area and then to patrol to the south-west of this island. (14)

26 Jul 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) inspected Trinidade Island but found no trace of the enemy there. (14)

28 Jul 1940 (position -24.30, -31.56)

Battle between HMS Alcantara and the German raider Thor.

Shortly after 1000N/28, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN), which was in position 24°39'S, 33°07'W, sighted the tops of two mast to the east. At 1025N/28, course was altered to intercept. When the range had closed to 23000 yards the unidentified vessel turned towards but shortly afterwards turned away. HMS Alcantara followedbut as the range was opening increased speed to 15 knots and later to full speed. By noon HMS Alcantara was doing 20 knots and one hour later almost 22 knots.

Around 1400N/28, when HMS Alcantara was in position 24°03'S, 31°56'W, the unknown vessel turned to starboard and hoisted the German ensign. She then opened fire with a two-gun salvo from 16000 yards. 2000 yards beyond the extreme range of HMS Alcantara's eight 6" guns. The enemy soon was firing four-gun salvoes.

HMS Alcantara was struck by a shell from the second salvo just abaft her dummy funnel and another shell burst over the quarter deck near P 4 gun killing it's trainer and causing damage to the gun controls. It was probably also this salvo that brought down the main aerial. A shell from the third salvo hit HMS Alcantara abreast the stokers mess deck and another exploded on the quarter deck killing the Officer of Quarters. At 1408O/28, a hit on the water line abreast the engine room resulted in an inrush of water, which resulted in a gradual loss of speed.

Meanwhile HMS Alcantara had opened fire from extreme range and her first salvo fell short of the enemy and to the right. A hail of fragments flying around the Alcantara's fire control prevented the fall of shot from the second salvo to be observed. The enemy, who kept up a high rate of fire, was straddling HMS Alcantara constantly and damage from fragments caused the sights to become out of line and several times HMS Alcantara had to check fire so that the sights could be corrected for range and deflection. Despite this the enemy was straddled several times.

At 1413O/28, HMS Alcantara obtained a hit on the enemy near her foremast. The enemy's foremost starboard gun then fired no more. The enemy's accuracy then decreased as did her rate of fire.

By 1420O/28, the speed of HMS Alcantara was reduced to 15 knots and 10 minutes later the enemy was seen to turn away, while dropping smoke floats and firing her two stern guns. HMS Alcantara was still firing but the range was increasing rapidly.

At 1435O/28, HMS Alcantara obtained a hit on the enemy's stern. The ememy too was still firing and dropped additional smoke floats. By this time HMS Alcantara's speed had dropped to 10 knots and the enemy now drew rapidly away.

The enemy then broke through the her smoke screen and more shots were exchanged but neither side obtained more hits.

By 1515O/28, the action was over. HMS Alcantara was now in position 24°10'S, 31°51'W.

By 1530O/28, the range was 29000 yards and the enemy was last seen steering south with a slight list to port. HMS Alcantara had fired a total of 152 6" rounds. She had suffered two dead and seven wounded.

It was considered that the unfortunate hit in the engine room prevented HMS Alcantara from causing more damage to the enemy. (14)

1 Aug 1940
Around 1110P/1, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro to effect battle damage repairs.

Already on 2 August HMS Alcantara reported that she would be able to resume normal duties as of 5 August. Some damage could not be repaired by then and with the resources available but this was not essential. (15)

5 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000P/5, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro to resume patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area but further off the coast then usual. (15)

13 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) proceeded further to the north, towards the Pernambuco focal area but again further into the South Atlantic then before. (15)

18 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) proceeded further to the south, towards the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. (15)

30 Aug 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1200N/30, the armed merchant cruisers HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) and HMS Asturias (Capt. J.R.S. Haines, RN) made rendezvous in approximate position 21°49'S, 31°57'W. A draft coming from the U.K. was then transferred from HMS Asturias to HMS Alcantara before both armed merchant cruisers resumed their patrols. (16)

6 Sep 1940
Around 0930PQ/6, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol.

Already there was HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN, flying the flag of of Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN) which had also on board Commodore F.H. Pegram, DSO, RN, who was to take over command of the South America Division from Rear-Admiral Harwood.

At 1430PQ/6, Commodore Pegram then hoisted his broad pendant in HMS Alcantara assuming command of the South America Division.

Rear-Admiral Harwood then struck his flag in HMS Hawkins after which Commodore Pegram transferred his broad pendant to HMS Hawkins. Rear-Admiral Harwood then boarded HMS Alcantara for passage to Freetown.

Around 1515PQ/6, HMS Hawkins departed Monevideo for patrol proceeding to the Rio de Janeiro focal area. (17)

7 Sep 1940
Around 1130PQ/7, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for Freetown. On board was Rear-Admiral Sir H. Harwood, KCB, OBE, RN, who had been relieved as the Commander of the South America division. (18)

17 Sep 1940
Around 0930N/17, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from Montevideo. (18)

3 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0600N/3, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the central mid-Atlantic. (19)

10 Oct 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1530N/3, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from patrol. (19)

12 Oct 1940

Convoy SL 51.

This convoy departed Freetown on 12 October 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adda (British, 7816 GRT, built 1922), Armathia (British, 4683 GRT, built 1919), Baarn (Dutch, 5621 GRT, built 1927), Bactria (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Balingkar (Dutch, 6318 GRT, built 1921), Barneveld (Dutch, 5597 GRT, built 1928), Baron Elphinstone (British, 4635 GRT, built 1937), Baron Maclay (British, 6317 GRT, built 1924), Beaconsfield (British, 4635 GRT, built 1938), Benrinnes (British, 5410 GRT, built 1921), Bereby (British 5248 GRT, built 1919), Breda (Dutch, 6941 GRT, built 1921), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), British Mariner (British, 6996 GRT, built 1922), British Officer (British (tanker), 6990 GRT, built 1922), British Prestige (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), British Reliance (British (tanker), 7000 GRT, built 1928)), British Security (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), City of Canterbury (British, 8331 GRT, built 1922), Clan Macfadyen (British, 6191 GRt, built 1923), Clan Mackinlay (British, 6365 GRT, built 1918), Clan Macnair (British, 6096 GRT, built 1921), Delane (British, 6054 GRT, built 1938), Dunkwa (British, 4752 GRT, built 1927), Ernebank (British, 5388 GRT, built 1937), Gdynia (Swedish, 1636 GRT, built 1934), Grena (Norwegian (tanker), 8117 GRT, built 1934), Harborough (British, 5415 GRT, built 1932), Mahseer (British, 7911 GRT, built 1925), Marklyn (British, 3090 GRT, built 1918), Marquesa (British, 8979 GRT, built 1918), Muncaster Castle (British, 5853 GRT, built 1928), Nailsea Manor (British, 4926 GRT, built 1937), Niceto de Larrinaga (British, 5591 GRT, built 1916), Noesaniwi (Dutch, 6737 GRT, built 1936), Pendrecht (Dutch (tanker), 10746 GRT, built 1939), Primero (British, 4414 GRT, built 1925), Sardinian Prince (British, 3491 GRT, built 1922), Scottish Prince (British, 4917 GRT, built 1938), South Africa (Norwegian (tanker), 9234 GRT, built 1930), Stentor (British, 6148 GRT, built 1926), Teucer (British, 9079 GRT, built 1906), Thorshavet (Norwegian (tanker), 11015 GRT, built 1938), Tongariro (British, 8729 GRT, built 1925), Tysa (Dutch, 5327 GRT, built 1938), Wellpark (British, 4649 GRT, 1938) and Wray Castle (British, 4253 GRT, 1938).

On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN).

Around 1020Z/29, the corvette HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr. C.B. Sanders, RNVR) joined the convoy.

On 30 October, the destroyers HMS Achates (Lt.Cdr. the Viscount Jocelyn, RN) and HMS Arrow (Cdr. H.W. Williams, RN), sloop HMS Rochester (Cdr. G.F. Renwick, RN) and the auxiliary A/S trawler HMS St. Apollo (T/Lt. A.J.S. Anderson, RNR) joined.

On 31 October the destroyer HMS Amazon (Lt.Cdr. N.E.G. Roper, RN) also joined. The convoy arrived in U.K. waters later the same day.

3 Nov 1940
Around 1415A/3, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Southampton having passed through the Irish Sea after having parted company with convoy SL 51 on 31 October 1940.

At Southampton she is taken in hand for refit and repairs. (20)

15 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) is docked in the King George V graving dock at Southampton. (20)

29 Nov 1940 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) is undocked. (20)

24 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN), departed Southampton, conducted D/G trials in the Solent and then anchored in Spithead. (21)

25 Feb 1941
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted aircraft launching and recovering exercises in Spithead. During her refit she had been fitted with a Seafox aircraft. Also the 6" guns had been replaced with 6" guns with longer range then the ones previously fitted. (21)

26 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted exercises in Spithead. (21)

27 Feb 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Late in the evening, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Spithead for the Clyde. (21)

1 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the afternoon, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Greenock from Spithead. (22)

2 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

3 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises in the Clyde area. (22)

14 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230N/14, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Freetown from the Clyde. (22)

18 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown. (22)

19 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) conducted gunnery exercises off Freetown. (22)

30 Mar 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1830N/30, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Freetown for patrol in the South Atlantic. She was to participate in 'Operation Grab', which was the attempt to intercept Italian submarines en-route from Massawa, Italian East Africa to Bordeaux, France. (22)

4 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) made a short stop at Jamestown, St. Helena before continuing her patrol for ' Operation Grab '. (23)

15 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
The Seafox seaplane of HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) damaged her undercarriage during a landing. It was now out of action. (23)

21 Apr 1941
Around 1300Z/21, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Jamestown, St. Helena from patrol. (23)

23 Apr 1941
Around 1000Z/23, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Jamestown, St. Helena for Capetown. (23)

27 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1230B/27, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from patrol / St. Helena. (23)

30 Apr 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1430B/30, HMS Alcantara (Capt. (Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Capetown to patrol in the South Atlantic. She is to join the South America Division. (23)

18 May 1941
Around 0720P/18, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Samborombón Bay where she anchored.

She then fuelled from the RFA tanker Abbeydale (8299 GRT, built 1937).

Around 1830P/18, she departed for Montevideo. (24)

19 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0845P/19, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo from Samborombón Bay. (24)

20 May 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0900P/20, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol in the South Atlantic in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. (24)

18 Jun 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0915P/18, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Rio de Janeiro from patrol. (25)

19 Jun 1941
Around 0845P/19, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Rio de Janeiro to resume her patrol in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. She was however soon ordered to patrol the area to the north of Trinidade Island due to enemy raider activity. Later she went to patrol well to the east of Pernambuco and then eventually she went to the area to the north-west of St. Helena. (25)

8 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1125Z/8, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at St. Helena from patrol. (26)

10 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0620Z/10, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed St. Helena for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the central South Atlantic. (26)

25 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed her patrol area in the central South Atlantic for the ' River Plate ' focal area. (26)

31 Jul 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000Q/31, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Buenos Aires from patrol. (26)

2 Aug 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0930Q/2, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Buenos Aires for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the ' River Plate ' focal area. (27)

4 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000P/4, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Montevideo from patrol. (28)

5 Sep 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1600P/5, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Montevideo for patrol. She is ordered to patrol in the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. (28)

20 Sep 1941
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) proceeded to patrol between Rio de Janeiro and Trinidade Island. after almost a week she returned briefly to the ' Rio de Janeiro ' focal area. On 28 September she departed her patrol area to proceed to Simonstown via Tristan da Cunha Island. (28)

5 Oct 1941
Around 1000Z/5, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) dropped anchor off Tristan da Cunha. (29)

6 Oct 1941
Around 0415Z/6, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Tristan da Cunha for Simonstown. She landed a party of soldiers on Nightingale Island later in the morning. (29)

10 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1720B/10, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Simonstown from patrol. (29)

16 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1845B/16, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Simonstown for Capetown. (29)

17 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0745B/17, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Capetown from Simonstown.

Around 1300B/17, she departed for Port Elizabeth but she carried out D/G trials first. (29)

19 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0730B/19, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Port Elizabeth from Capetown. (29)

30 Oct 1941
Around 0500B/30, HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) departed Port Elizabeth for the Durban area where she was to join convoy CF 3 as escort.

Around 1600B/31, she met the troop transport Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922) [Convoy CF 3.] off the entrance to the Durban swept channel. They then proceeded westwards.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy CF 3 ' for 31 October 1941.] (29)

31 Oct 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)

Convoy CF 3.

This convoy departed Durban on 31 October 1941.

It was made up of only one ship, the troop transport Volendam (Dutch, 15434 GRT, built 1922).

On leaving Durban the convoy was joined by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) as escort.

Around 0600B/3, the heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins (Capt. H.P.K. Oram, RN) joined and took over escort duties from HMS Alcantara which then parted company to proceed to Simonstown.

Around 0700A/12, the corvette HMS Woodruff (T/Lt. T. Muir, RNVR) joined. HMS Hawkins then parted company to proceed to Freetown.

The convoy arrived at Takoradi on 16 November 1941.

3 Nov 1941
HMS Alcantara (Capt.(Retd.) J.G.P. Ingham, DSO, RN) arrived at Simonstown from escort duty. She was docked in the Selborne dry dock later the same day. (30)

Sources

  1. ADM 199/2545
  2. ADM 53/111357
  3. ADM 53/111357 + ADM 199/380
  4. ADM 53/111358 + ADM 199/380
  5. ADM 53/111359
  6. ADM 53/111360
  7. ADM 53/111361
  8. ADM 53/111361 + ADM 53/112402
  9. ADM 53/112402
  10. ADM 53/112403
  11. ADM 53/111362
  12. ADM 53/111363
  13. ADM 53/111363 + ADM 199/381
  14. ADM 53/111363 + ADM 234/324
  15. ADM 53/111364
  16. ADM 53/111364 + ADM 53/111476
  17. ADM 53/111365 + ADM 53/112405 + ADM 199/384
  18. ADM 53/111365
  19. ADM 53/111366
  20. ADM 53/111367
  21. ADM 53/113562
  22. ADM 53/113563
  23. ADM 53/113564
  24. ADM 53/113565
  25. ADM 53/113566
  26. ADM 53/113567
  27. ADM 53/113568
  28. ADM 53/113569
  29. ADM 53/113570
  30. ADM 53/113571

ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.


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