uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Superman include:

22 Jan 1940

Convoy HX 17.

This convoy departed Halifax on 22 January 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Agia Marina (Greek, 4151 GRT, built 1912), Anadara (British (tanker), 8009 GRT, built 1935), Antonios Chandris (Greek, 5866 GRT, built 1918), Athelduke (British (tanker), 8966 GRT, built 1929), Balmoralwood (British, 5834 GRT, built 1937), Beaverdale (British, 9957 GRT, built 1928), Boston City (British, 2870 GRT, built 1920), Bretwalda (British, 4906 GRT, built 1939), Brockley Hill (British, 5287 GRT, built 1918), Cadillac (British (tanker), 12062 GRT, built 1917), Crispin (British, 5050 GRT, built 1935), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), Dakotian (British, 6426 GRT, built 1922), Dalblair (British, 4608 GRT, built 1926), Danby (British, 4281 GRT, built 1937), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Dean Emery (British (tanker), 6664 GRT, built 1919), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Emmy (Greek, 3895 GRT, built 1914), Ena de Larrinaga (British, 5200 GRT, built 1925), Filleigh (British, 4856 GRT, built 1928), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Housatonic (British (tanker), 5559 GRT, built 1919), Invershannon (British (tanker), 8154 GRT, built 1938), King Stephen (British, 5274 GRT, built 1928), Kingswood (British, 5080 GRT, built 1929), Langleebrook (British, 4246 GRT, built 1930), Llangollen (British, 5056 GRT, built 1928), Manchester Citizen (British, 5343 GRT, built 1925), Mont Everest (French, 5183 GRT, built 1918), Mount Pelion (Greek, 5655 GRT, built 1917), Nailsea River (British, 5548 GRT, built 1917), Northleigh (British, 5450 GRT, built 1937), Ontariolite (British (tanker), 8932 GRT, built 1925), Ornefjell (British, 1334 GRT, built 1937), Patella (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Saint-Malo (French, 5875 GRT, built 1917), Saugor (British, 6303 GRT, built 1928), Seminole (British (tanker), 10389 GRT, built 1936), Somersby (British, 5168 GRT, built 1930), Sulairia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929), Tasis (Greek, 4706 GRT, built 1913), Torinia (British (tanker), 10364 GRT, built 1939), Torr Head (British, 5021 GRT, built 1937), Trocas (British (tanker), 7406 GRT, built 1927), Victor Ross (British (tanker), 12247 GRT, built 1933) and Vilk (Estonian, 1933 GRT, built 1913).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the light cruiser HMS Emerald (Capt. A.W.S. Agar, VC, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMCS Fraser (Cdr. W.N. Creery, RCN) and HMCS Restigouche (Lt.Cdr. H.N. Lay, RCN).

Around 1430Q/23, in position 44°39'N, 58°39'W, both Canadian destroyers were detached to return to Halifax.

On 28 January 1940, in approximate position 49°10'N, 38°40'W, the following merchant vessels lost contact with the convoy in bad weather conditions; Brockley Hill, El Mirlo, Ena de Larrinaga, Mount Pelion. Somersby. The Ena de Larrinaga and Mount Pelion rejoined the convoy on 4 February. The Brockley Hill arrived independently in the Downs on 5 February. The El Mirlo arrived independently at Liverpool on 6 February. The Somersby passed Barry Roads on 6 February and arrived independently at Avonmouth on 8 February.

Around 1430O/31, in position 51°20'N, 26°10'W, the Housatonic parted company to proceed independently to Invergordon but she was later ordered to proceed to Kirkwall where she arrived on 8 February.

Around 1030Z/3, in position 51°00'N, 13°10'W, the destroyers HMS Vanessa (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Plumer, RN), HMS Warwick (Lt.Cdr. M.A.G. Child, RN) and HMS Vansittart (Lt.Cdr. W. Evershed, RN) joined the convoy. HMS Emerald then parted company to proceed to Portsmouth.

Around 0900Z/4, in position 50°23'N, 09°50'W, the convoy split in two sections.

The Irish Sea / West coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Antonios Chandris (arrived at Dublin on 6 February), Athelduke (arrived at Liverpool on 8 February), Balmoralwood (arrived at Liverpool on 7 February), Boston City (arrived at Cardiff on 6 February), Cadillac (arrived at Avonmouth on 7 February), Crispin (arrived at Liverpool on 7 February), Dakotian (arrived at Avonmouth on 7 February), Dalblair (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), Emmy (grounded off Barmouth, see below), Ena de Larrinaga (arrived at Liverpool on 6 February), Filleigh (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), Invershannon (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), King Stephen (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), Langleebrook (arrived at Sharpness on 8 February), Llangollen (arrived at Avonmouth on 7 February), Manchester Citizen (arrived at Liverpool on 7 February), Patella (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), Pomella (arrived at Liverpool on 7 February), Saugor (arrived at Liverpool on 7 February), Sulairia (arrived in the Clyde on 7 February), Tasis (arrived at Liverpool on 8 February), Torinia (arrived at Liverpool on 8 February) and Torr Head (arrived at Dublin on 6 February). They were escorted by HMS Warwick which arrived at Liverpool on 6 February.

Around 2200Z/4, in position 51°17'N, 07°45'W, the five ships with destinations in the Bristol Channel area parted company. The destroyer HMS Keith (Cdr. (Retd.) H.T.W. Pawsey, OBE, RN) had joined around 1715Z/4 to escort them. HMS Keith arrived at Milford Haven on 6 February.

The Irish Sea / West coast section ran into thick fog on the 5th and quite a number of ships lost contact with the convoy.

At 1844Z/5, the Emmy signalled that she was aground in an unknown position in the Irish Sea but probably between Waterford and The Smalls. D/F location showed that she was most likely near Barmouth in Cardigan Bay and she was informed of this and also that help was coming. The rescue tug HMRT Superman was sen from Milford Haven and later made contact with the ship in position 52°43'N, 04°18'W, which was indeed to the west of Barmouth. The ship was succesfully towed off at 1920Z/7 after an earlier attempt had failed.

The Channel / East coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Agia Marina (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Anadara (arrived at Donges, France on 8 February), Beaverdale (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Bretwalda (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), D.L. Harper (arrived at Southampton on 6 February), Danby (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Davila (arrived at Le Havre, France on 7 February), Dean Emery (arrived at Southampton on 6 February), Eclipse (arrived at Le Havre, France on 8 February), Gold Shell (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Kingswood (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Mont Everest (arrived at Le Verdon, France on 7 February), Mount Pelion (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Nailsea River (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Northleigh (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Ontariolite (arrived at Le Havre, France on 8 February), Saint-Malo (arrived at Le Verdon, France on 7 February), Seminole (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Trocas (arrived in the Downs on 6 February), Victor Ross (arrived at Portsmouth on 6 February) and Vilk (destination was La Pallice, France, arrival date not known). They were escorted by HMS Vanessa (arrived at Dover on 6 February) and HMS Vansittart (arrived at Plymouth on 5 February). (1)

16 Aug 1940

Convoy HX 66.

This convoy departed Halifax on 16 August 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Antiope (British, 4545 GRT, built 1930), Bassa (British, 5267 GRT, built 1918), Chaucer (British, 5792 GRT, built 1929), Coultarn (British, 3759 GRT, built 1938), Eli (Norwegian, 4332 GRT, built 1931), Empire Penguin (British, 6318 GRT, built 1919), Empire Scout (British, 2185 GRT, built 1936), Empire Tiger (British, 4954 GRT, built 1919), Gandia (Belgian, 9629 GRT, built 1907), Hjelmaren (Swedish, 2467 GRT, built 1922), Kyno (British, 3950 GRT, built 1924), Mill Hill (British, 4318 GRT, built 1930), Sesostris (Egyptian, 4008 GRT, built 1915), Skeldergate (British, 4251 GRT, built 1930), Southgate (British, 4862 GRT, built 1926), Thistlegorm (British, 4898 GRT, built 1940) and Toronto City (British, 2486 GRT, built 1925).

On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ausonia and the destroyers HMCS Assiniboine (Capt. G.C. Jones, RCN) and HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN).

Around 1800P/16, HMCS Ottawa was detached to intercept the Estonian merchant vessel Kotkas (2085 GRT, built 1919).

Around 1200P/17, HMCS Assiniboine was detached.

Around 0630P/19, Convoy SHX 66 joined the convoy. The following merchant vessels now joined the convoy;
Boreas (Norwegian, 2801 GRT, built 1920), Cairnesk (British, 5007 GRT, built 1926), Chelsea (British, 4804 GRT, built 1925), Dornoch (British, 5186 GRT, built 1939), Empire Progress (British, 5249 GRT, built 1918), Esmond (British, 4976 GRT, built 1930), Fana (Norwegian, 1375 GRT, built 1939), Gloxinia (British, 3336 GRT, built 1920), Grado (Norwegian, 3103 GRT, built 1918), Gregalia (British, 5802 GRT, built 1929), New York City (British, 2710 GRT, built 1917), Ornefjell (Norwegian (tanker), 1334 GRT, built 1937), Tynebank (British, 4651 GRT, built 1922), Vaalaren (Swedish, 3406 GRT, built 1936) and Valparaiso (Swedish, 3762 GRT, built 1917).

Around 1515P/20, Convoy BHX 66 joined the convoy. The following merchant vessels now joined the convoy;
Arinia (British (tanker), 8024 GRT, built 1936), Cordelia (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), Empire Puma (British, 7777 GRT, built 1920), Helgoy (Norwegian, 7116 GRT, built 1920), Industria (British, 4850 GRT, built 1940), Karamea (British, 10530 GRT, built 1928), Norne (Norwegian, 3971 GRT, built 1930), Nyland (Norwegian, 1374 GRT, built 1940), Oakworth (British, 4968 GRT, built 1925), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938), Port Townsville (British, 8661 GRT, built 1935), Queen Maud (British, 4976 GRT, built 1936), Rothley (British, 4996 GRT, built 1936), Sabor (British, 5212 GRT, built 1920), San Alvaro (British (tanker), 7385 GRT, built 1935) and Weirbank (British, 5150 GRT, built 1925).

During the night of 20/21 August the Empire Scout straggled from the convoy. She rejoined the convoy, section HX 66B, on 29 August.

During the night of 25/26 August, the Helgoy straggled from the convoy. She arrived in the Clyde on 30 August.

Around the same time the Norne, Queen Maud and Weirbank had also straggled from the convoy but they rejoined around 1100N/27 after having been rounded up by the destroyer HMS Highlander (Cdr. W.A. Dallmeyer, RN) which was on an A/S sweep.

Around 1200N/27, HMS Ausonia parted company after the minesweeper HMS Jason (Lt.Cdr. R.E. Terry, RN) and corvette HMS Hibiscus (Lt.Cdr. R. Phillips, RNR) had joined the convoy. HMS Highlander also remained with the convoy until dark on the 27th.

Around 1700A/28, the destroyer HMS Mackay (Cdr. G.H. Stokes, RN) and corvette HMS Heartsease (Lt.Cdr. E.J.R. North, RNR) joined the convoy.

At 1955A/28, in position 58°09'N, 13°14'W (D.R. position), the merchant vessel Kyno sounded her syren and shortly afterwards she was struck by a torpedo. Survivors were picked up by the Queen Maud. The ship had been torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-28.

Around 2100A/28, the convoy split into two sections.

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

Convoy HX 66A was destined for Methil (arrived on 31 August 1940) and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Cairnesk, Chelsea (torpedoed and sunk on 30 August), Cordelia (arrived at Scapa Flow on 30 August), Dornoch, Empire Progress, Esmond, Fana, Grado, Gregalia, Mill Hill (torpedoed and sunk on 30 August), Norne (torpedoed and sunk on 30 August), Nyland, Oakworth, Ornefjell, Queen Maud, Rothley, Skeldergate, Thistlegorm and Weirbank. They were escorted by HMS Jason and HMS Hibiscus which both arrived at Rosyth on 31 August.

At 0125A/30, a loud explosion was heard on the port quarter of the convoy. Around 0138A/30 two flashes were seen. At daylight it was seen that the Mill Hill, Chelsea and Norne were missing from the convoy. Of these ships the Chelsea remained afloat for a while but later foundered. The destroyers HMS Wolverine (Cdr. R.H. Craske, RN) and HMS Volunteer (Lt.Cdr. N. Lanyon, RN) were ordered (at 0219A/30) to hunt the attacker which was the German submarine U-32. The rescue tugs Thames and Superman were sent to the area but they found no ships to salvage. At 1701A/30, both tugs were ordered to return to Stornoway.

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

Convoy HX 66B was destined for ports in the Irish Sea area and was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Antiope (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Arinia (arrived at Avonmouth on 1 September), Bassa (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Boreas (arrived at Preston on 31 August), Chaucer (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Coultarn (arrived at Newport on 1 September), D.L. Harper (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Eli (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Empire Penguin (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Empire Puma (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Empire Scout (arrived at Bristol on 1 September), Empire Tiger (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Gandia (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Gloxinia (arrived in Belfast Lough on 30 August), Helgoy (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Hjelmaren (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), Industria (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Karamea (arrived at Avonmouth on 1 September), New York City (arrived at Swansea on 1 September), Otina (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Port Townsville (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Sabor (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August), San Alvaro (arrived at Swansea on 1 September), Sesostris (arrived at Dublin on 31(?) August), Southgate (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Toronto City (arrived at Milford Haven on 31 August), Tynebank (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August), Vaalaren (arrived at Liverpool on 31 August) and Valparaiso (arrived in the Clyde on 30 August). This section of the convoy was escorted by HMS Mackay and HMS Heartsease which both arrived at Liverpool on 31 August.

During the night of 29/30 August the D.L. Harper had collided with the Boreas but only minor damage was sustained. (2)

16 Jan 1941
HMS Westcott (Lt.Cdr. W.F.R. Segrave, RN), HMRT Superman and HMRT Tenacity together pick up 143 survivors from the British passenger ship Oropasa that was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boat U-96 southeast of Rockall in position 56°28'N, 12°00'W.