uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Barbados include:

1 Feb 1945
HMS Vengeful (Lt. A.S. Melville-Ross, DSC, RN) conducted A/S exercises off Loch Alsh with HMS Celandine (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.C. Hayes, RNVR) and HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR). (1)

19 Feb 1945

Convoy MKS 84(G).

[This convoy needs to be further investigated, information if incomplete.]

This convoy departed Gibraltar on 19 February 1945.

On departure from Gibraltar this convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Belgian Veteran (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), City of Lyons (British, 7063 GRT, built 1926), Empire Moonrise (British, 6854 GRT, built 1941), Empire Niger (British, 7887 GRT, built 1920), Empire Scott (British, 6150 GRT, built 1941), Empire Summer (British, 6949 GRT, built 1941), Fort Camosun (British, 7126 GRT, built 1942), Harberton (British, 4585 GRT, built 1930), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Penhale (British, 4071 GRT, built 192), Samesk (British, 7219 GRT, built 1944) and Thistleford (British, 4781 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Gibraltar the convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Wellington (A/Lt.Cdr. A. Hague, RNR), corvettes HMS Oakham Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. A.H. Lyons, RNVR), HMS Spiraea (T/A/Lt.Cdr. H.D. Reid, RANVR) and HMS Willowherb (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.A. Shillan, RNVR).

Around 2100Z/20, the Casablanca section of the convoy joined in position 36°26'N, 09°13'W. This section had departed Casablanca on 19 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelregent (British (tanker), 8881 GRT, built 1930), Atlantic (British, 5414 GRT, built 1939), Basil (British, 4913 GRT, built 1928), Eemland (Dutch, 4188 GRT, built 1906), Empire Darwin (British, 6765 GRT, built 1941), Empire Zephyr (British, 6327 GRT, built 1941), Fort St. Francois (British, 7125 GRT, built 1942), Lagarto (British, 5072 GRT, built 1917British, 5072 GRT, built 1917), Ocean Volunteer (British, 7174 GRT, built 1942), Sambre (British, 7219 GRT, built 1943), Samfreedom (British, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Silverguava (British, 5305 GRT, built 1927) and Trevaylor (British, 5257 GRT, built 1940). They were escorted to the rendezvous by the patrol vessels Le Ruse, L'Emporte, L'Effronte and Tirailleur which did not join the convoy.

Around 1500Z/21, in position 38°31'N, 10°09'W, the following merchant vessels joined coming from Lisbon;
Charles MacIver (British (trawler), 500 GRT, built 1936) and Saint Bertrand (British, 5522 GRT, built 1929).

Around 0845Z/22, in position 40°53'N, 10°23'W, HMS Wellington, HMS Spiraea and HMS Willowherb parted company.

Around 1600Z/24, in position 47°08'N, 07°47'W, the sloop HMS Londonderry (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.M. Newns, RNVR), corvette HMS Clover (Lt. T.E. Fanshawe, RNR) and rescue ship Gothland (British, 1286 GRT, built 1932) joined.

Around 2230Z/24, in position 47°58'N, 07°21'W, the corvettes HMS Camellia (T/Lt. G.W. Charlton, DSC, RNR) and HMS Narcissus (T/A/Lt.Cdr. O.B. Medley, RNVR) joined.

The corvette HMCS Mimico (T/Lt. J.B. Elmsley, RCNVR) also joined P.M. on the 24th.

Around 0715Z/25, it was noticed that the Charles MacIver was 13.5 miles astern of the convoy being unable to keep up due to bad coal. She was ordered to proceed indepently to Falmouth.

Around 0800Z/25, in position 49°09'N, 06°57'W, the frigate HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR) joined.

Around 1045Z/25, in position 49°30'N, 06°46'W, the Irish Sea / west coast section parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelregent (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), Atlantic (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), City of Lyons (arrived in the Clyde on 27 February), Empire Darwin (arrived in the Clyde on 27 February), Empire Moonrise (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), Empire Scott (arrived at Barrow in Furness on 27 February), Empire Summer (arrived in the Clyde on 27 February), Fort Camosun (arrived in the Clyde on 27 February), Fort St. Francois (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), Gothland (arrived in the Clyde on 27 February), New York City (arrived at Bristol on 27 February), Saint Bertrand (arrived at Dublin on 27 February), Sambre (arrived at Avonmouth on 26 February), Samfreedom (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), Silverguava (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), Thistleford (arrived at Workington on 28 February) and Trevaylor (arrived at Avonmouth on 26 February). They were escorted by HMS Oakham Castle (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), HMS Camellia (arrived at Liverpool on 27 February), HMS Clover (arrived at Liverpool on 28 February) and HMCS Mimico (arrived at Milford Haven on 28 February).

Support for the Irish Sea section was given from 1200A/26 and 2200A/26, by the frigates HMS Montserrat (Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) from the 23rd Escort Group.

The Channel / east coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Basil (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Belgian Veteran (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Eemland (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Empire Niger (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Empire Zephyr (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Harberton (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Lagarto (arrived at Le Havre on 27 February), Ocean Volunteer (arrived at Southend on 27 February), Penhale (arrived at Southend on 27 February) and Samesk (arrived at Southend on 27 February). They were escorted by HMS Londonderry (arrived at Plymouth on 26 February), HMS Barbados (arrived at Plymouth on 27 February) and HMS Narcissus (arrived at Plymouth on 26 February).

Around 1915A/25, the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) joined the Channel / east coast section.

Around 0800A/26, the Channel / east coast section was joined by the 6th Escort Group. [as per log of HMCS Iroquois to be further investigated as according to ship movement cards the ships of the 6th Escort Group were at Portsmouth on the 26th and only left on the 27th.]

Around 1200A/26, HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Huron parted company to join convoy UC 58A. (2)

21 Feb 1945

Convoy UC 57A.

The Channel section of this convoy departed The Solent on 21 February 1945.

This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Memnon (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944), Wacosta (American, 5432 GRT, built 1920), Waipawa (British, 12436 GRT, built 1934), White Bird Canyon (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and Yellow Tavern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944).

On departure from The Solent the convoy was escorted by the destroyer USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board) and the destroyer escorts USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR).

Around 2245A/21, the destroyers HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) joined.

Around 0435A/22, the Santa Rosa and Sea Tiger parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.

Around 0745A/22, the Alcoa Pointer, Memnon and Waipawa parted company with the convoy to proceed up the Irish Sea. HMCS Iroquois and HMCS Huron went with them as escorts.

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

The Irish Sea Section of the convoy was made up of four sections, coming from the Clyde, Belfast Lough, Liverpool and the Bristol Channel.

The Clyde Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944) and Paraguay (British, 7555 GRT, built 1944). The (midget) submarine tender HMS Bonaventure (A/Capt.(Retd.) W.R. Fell, DSC, OBE, RN) is also part of the Clyde Section. The Clyde Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR). The frigates HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN) provided support for this section of the convoy.

The Belfast Lough Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Australia Star (British, 11122 GRT, built 1935) and Roxburgh Castle (British, 8003 GRT, built 1945). The Belfast Lough Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR).

Around 1700A/21, the Clyde Section and Belfast Lough Section joined company.

The Liverpool Section of the convoy departed on 21 February and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Darro (British, 9733 GRT, built 1943), Elisabeth Bakke (Norwegian, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943). The Liverpool Section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board). The frigates HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR) provided support for this section of the convoy. The frigate HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN) later joined as well.

Around 2300A/21, the Liverpool Section joined the Clyde / Belfast Lough Section. The five British frigates now proceeded to sweep ahead of the convoy for which they were joined around 0100A/22 by the frigates HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR) and HMS Nyasaland (T/A/Lt.Cdr. J. Scott, DSC, RNVR) from the 23rd Escort Group joined.

Around 0230A/22, HMS Conn, HMS Byron, HMS Deane, HMS Fitzroy and HMS Rupert set course to proceed to Belfast Lough. Three more frigates from the 23rd Escort Group joined; HMS Montserrat (Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR), HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) and HMS Loch Gorm (A/Lt.Cdr. R. Johnston, RNR).

Around 1025A/22, ' Force 34 ' joined, made up of ships of the 22nd Escort Group. This were the sloops HMS Hart (A/Cdr.(Retd.) H.F.G. Leftwich, RN), HMS Amethyst (Lt.Cdr. N. Scott-Elliot, DSC, RN), HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. G.O. Symonds, DSC, RN), HMS Peacock (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Stannard, VC, DSO, RD, RNR) and HMS Wren (Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, DSC, RD, RNR).

The frigates of the 23rd Escort Group then parted company.

Around 1130A/22, the Bristol Channel Section of the convoy joined. This section had departed also on 21 February 1945 and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Aiken Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Aztec (Hunduran, 5511 GRT, built 1929), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), De Soto (American, 6165 GRT, built 1944), Delaires (American, 6509 GRT, built 1942), Exanthia (American, 6533 GRT, built 1941), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Golden Eagle (American, 6180 GRT, built 1943), Golden Fleece (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Jamaica Producer (British, 5464 GRT, built 1934), Midnight (American, 8258 GRT, built 1940), Pipiriki (British, 10057 GRT, built 1944), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Talisman (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944) and White Squall (American, 8258 GRT, built 1943) . This section was escorted by the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR) and USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR).

Around 1300A/22, USS Jacob Jones parted company with the Irish Sea Section to return to Liverpool.

Around 1420A/22, ' Force 34 ' parted company with the Irish Sea Section.

Around 1530A/22, USS Roy O. Hale parted company with the Irish Sea Section to return to Milford Haven.

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

Around 2300A/22, the Channel Section of the convoy was joined by the Irish Sea Section of the convoy.

Around 0335Z/25, the following ships parted company wih the convoy to proceed independently to their destinations;
HMS Bonaventure (arrived at Ponta Delgada on 26 February), Pipiriki (arrived in the Panama Canal zone on 6 March) and Roxburgh Castle (arrived at Buenos Aires on 12 March).

Around 0330P/2, in bad weather conditions, the following merchant vessels parted company wih the convoy to proceed independently to their destinations;
Jamaica Producer (arrived at Halifax on 3 March) and Midnight (arrived at New York on 5 March).

Around 0500P/2, USS Hammann and USS Robert E. Peary were detached to go to the assistance of two vessels in distress.

The convoy arrived at New York on 5 March. (3)

2 Mar 1945
Around 1300A/2, ' Force 26 ', made up of the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. Douglas Eric Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog (?), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and frigate HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR) departed Plymouth for escort duty with convoy UC 58B.

[For more info on this convoy see the event ' Convoy UC 58B ' for 2 March 1945. (4)

2 Mar 1945

Convoy UC 58B.

The Channel section of this convoy departed The Solent around 1100A/2.

This section was made up of 15 merchant vessels;
The troop transport (American, 12097 GRT, built 1943) and naval troop tranports USS General W.H. Gordon (17811 GRT, built 1944) (Capt. R.E. Wood, USCG) and USS General William Weigel (17811 GRT, built 1945) (Capt. T.Y. Awalt, USCG) were among them. [The identity of the remaining 12 ships is currently not known to us.]

On departure from The Solent the convoy was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Koiner (Lt.Cdr. C.S. Judson, Jr., USN), USS Hurst (Lt. E.B. Winslow, USCG) and USS Ramsden (Lt.Cdr. S.T. Baketel, USCGR).

Around 1325A/2, the frigates HMCS New Waterford (T/A/Cdr. W.E.S. Briggs, DSC, RCNR) and HMCS Loch Morlich (T/Lt. G.F. Crosby, RCNVR) joined.

Around 1430A/2, the frigates HMCS Loch Achanalt (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.W. Hart, RCNVR) and HMCS Teme (T/Lt. D.P. Harvey, RCNVR) joined.

Around 1910A/2, ' Force 26 ', made up of destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. Douglas Eric Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Bulldog (?), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN), HMCS Huron (Lt.Cdr. H.V.W. Groos, RCN) and frigate HMS Barbados (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.G. Donald, RNVR) joined.

Around 2355A/2, USS Ramsden parted company to escort three ships coming from Plymouth to the convoy. This were the following ships;
Troop transports Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927) and General George W. Goethals (American, 12093 GRT, built 1942). The landing ship HMS Princess Josephine Charlotte (A/Lt.Cdr. J.E. Bromley, RNR) was also with them. They joined the convoy around 0150A/3. The corvettes HMS Narcissus (T/Lt. R. Stott, RNR) and HMCS Lunenburg (T/Lt. W.S. Thomson, RCNVR) also escorted the ships to the rendezvous and then returned to Plymouth.

Around 0245A/3, 13 ships, including HMS Princess Josephine Charlotte were detached to proceed up the Irish Sea. USS Ramsden and all the British and Canadian escorts went with them.

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

The Irish Sea Section of the convoy was made up of three sections, coming from the Clyde, Liverpool and the Bristol Channel.

The Clyde Section of the convoy departed on 2 March and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Empire Paladin (British (tanker), 8141 GRT, built 1944) and Empire Paragon (British, 9888 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the destroyer escort USS O'Reilly (Donald R. Shaul, USNR).

Around 1010A/2, ' Force 37 ', made up of the frigates HMS Duckworth (Cdr. R.C.S. Garwood, RN), HMS Berry (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.S. Pirie, RNVR), HMS Cooke ( Lt. N.D. Cornwall, RN), HMS Domett (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S. Gordon, RNVR), HMS Essington (T/A/Lt.Cdr. S.A. Lampard, RNVR) and HMS Rowley (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) joined.

Around 1745A/2, ' Force 37 ' parted company.

Around 1910A/2, the Liverpool section of the convoy joined. This had departed Liverpool on 2 March and was made up of the escort carriers USS Bogue (T/Capt. G.J. Dufek, USN) and USS Card (T/Capt. R.C. Young, Jr., USN) were also part of the Liverpool section. The Liverpool section was escorted by the destroyer escort USS Marchand (Maynard F. Young, USCG, with COMCORTDIV 20, Lt.Cdr. W.B. Ellis, USCG, on board).

Around 2235A/2, the frigates HMS Montserrat (Cdr. G.W. Gregorie, RD, RNR) and HMS Papua (A/Lt.Cdr. C.W. Leadbetter, RNR) of the 23rd Escort Group joined the convoy.

Around 0325A/3, the Bristol Channel section of the convoy joined. This was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Chapel Hill Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Exminster (American, 6683 GRT, built 1944), Fort Schuyler (Dutch (tanker), 10297, built 1944), Malden Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944) and Washington Express (Norwegian, 3643 GRT, built 1933). They were escorted to the rendezvous by four British escorts [so far unidentified] which did not join the convoy.

Around 1330A/3, the Empire Paragon parted company with engine trouble. She set course for Milford Haven escorted by HMS Papua.

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

Around 1730A/3, the Channel section and Irish Sea section joined company. HMS Montserrat was then detached.

Around 2355Q/11, USS Bogue and USS Card parted company to proceed to Norfolk, Virginia escorted by USS Hurst.

The remainder of the convoy arrived at New York in the morning of 12 March. (5)