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During WW2 the British merchant Navy suffered enormous losses in both ships and personnel – a total of 32,952 registered seamen which equated to a 17.8% loss of total strength.
This is put in perspective when one considers that the Royal Navy lost just 9.7% of its personnel! Between September and December 1939, 126 British merchant ships were lost as a result of enemy action and whilst these figures dropped to 66 in the first quarter of 1940, the Admiralty’s prediction of higher losses bore fruit when 216 British ships were sunk in the third quarter of that year which rose to a staggering 263 vessels lost in the final quarter of that year. After the fall of France, this was mainly due to the increased effectiveness of submarines and the presence of long range bomber aircraft which were now based on the French Atlantic Coast. During this same period, numerous Allied vessels were also lost.
With the introduction of the Convoy system, where ships sailed together in a number of rows, the rear end ship of each row was designated as a Rescue Ship should a ship ahead of her be hit. If the rear end ship itself were hit, then it fell upon one of the Convoy Escort warships to conduct rescue operations. Despite the incipient reaction of seamen to rescue others whose ship had been lost whatever the circumstances, in wartime this sometimes became difficult to enforce as some merchant ships refused to stop to conduct rescue operations as this meant leaving the protection of the Convoy System especially in the cases of heavily-laden ships where they became a potential further loss with the concurrent loss of valuable and desperately needed cargoes. Furthermore, merchant ships, especially when in ballast, were not particularly manoeuvrable or well-suited to conduct such operations and nor were they fitted with suitable rescue equipment or additional accommodation to accommodate any rescued survivors.
This drain on experienced Merchant Navy personnel was of grave concern to the Admiralty, as although lost ships could be replaced by new-builds or acquisition from other sources, loss of personnel drew upon a finite resource. Moreover, the effect on morale amongst merchant seamen can also be imagined and obviously this state of affairs could not be allowed to continue.
On 22 September 1940, the Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches, Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Smith V.C. wrote to the Admiralty expressing his grave concerns at these unsatisfactory arrangements and he advocated the acquisition and introduction of enhanced specialised “Picking Up” ships, to follow astern of Convoys and to transfer from an outbound to an inbound Convoy along with the Convoy escorts. Initially the CRS accompanied an outbound Convoy for 3 – 5 days before then transferring to an inbound one. In the early days this involved the CRS loitering at the meeting point and during one such case, the first CRS was sunk.
The Admiralty acted with alacrity after the C-in-C’s letter and began requisitioning vessels through the offices of the Ministry of Shipping (which later became the Ministry of War Transport) and their Sea Transport Department. As far as possible, the aim was to have them commanded by Masters familiar with them and were mostly requisitioned from companies who were engaged in coastal work around the U.K. coastline and many were passenger carrying vessels too with a speed of 11-12 knots which enabled them to catch up with 10-knot Convoys after any rescue work.. Retaining their mercantile crews, these vessels nonetheless flew the Blue Ensign as non-commissioned Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries (NOT Royal Fleet Auxiliaries as sometimes erroneously stated). The ships were initially based at Greenock but this was soon after changed to the Principal Sea Transport Officer’s (PSTO) offices in Glasgow as this initial arrangement proved to be less than satisfactory. All 11 ships of the 1939 Clyde Shipping Co fleet were requisitioned, 7 becoming Rescue Ships under the Sea Transport Division of the MoWT, 4 former London & North Eastern Railway Co steamers whilst 2 former General Steam Navigation Co vessels were re-acquired by the MoWT and placed under management of their former owners along with another 4 ships. All in all 29 vessels were taken up and whilst the earlier ships had minimal work done before being pressed into service, as the War progressed more facilities were added. They carried additional rescue boats and Carley floats, extra basic accommodation was added, water capacity was increased by the use of double bottoms, ships’ ranges were increased, scrambling nets were fitted, booms with nets rigged outboard at right angles to the ship could pick up seamen on drifting rafts, medical facilities were added which included a sick bay and separate operating theatre if space permitted and a naval surgeon and sick berth attendant(s) as well.
The first dedicated Rescue Ship sailed in her first Convoy on 09 October 1940, less than 3 weeks after the letter was received. This was the Clyde Shipping Co’s coastal steamer BEACHY which had but a swift alteration, with the provision of mattresses on gratings secured to the deck to accommodate any survivors and limited additional ablution and latrine facilities installed. This applied to all of the earlier conversions. BEACHY also undertook trials of special signal apparatus which was possibly a prototype HF/DF receiver. Certainly effective models of this equipment, known as HUFF-DUFF, became available in 1941 and with the later Rescue Ships’ size and displacement, this could also be fitted to them thus enabling cross bearings to be taken and passed to the Escorts, of the shortest transmissions on HF frequencies, usually by submarines. In this way valuable reinforcement of Convoy protection was obtained. BEACHY was sunk by aerial bombing 9 months later. The small Dutch vessel HONTESTROOM came next, sailing on her first voyage on 10 January 1941, but numerous deficiencies led to her being returned to her owners as unsuitable for the task just over 4 months later. At the end of January 1941, after minimal work which involved the removal of her cattle fittings and the provision of mattresses on gratings on the deck, another unit in the Clyde Shipping Co’s fleet, the steamer TOWARD became the 3rd Rescue Ship, sailing in her first Convoy on 26 January 1941. She was sunk by a U-boat just over 12 months later. Her sister COPELAND too joined the Rescue service, sailing in her first Convoy on 31 January 1941 but unlike her sister, she survived the War. The General Steam Navigation Co’s-managed sister ships ZAMALEK and ZAAFARAN which had in fact been owned by that Company until sold in 1934. Re-purchased by the MoWT in 1940, they were ready for service as Rescue Ships under management of their former owners on 26 February and 23 March 1941 respectively. ZAMALEK went on to claim the record for the highest number of rescues conducted and then had a sad ending, being sunk as a block ship in the Suez Canal during the 1956 Suez Crisis whilst her sister became another wartime casualty. The next early but larger conversion was the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co’s steamer PERTH which had already been requisitioned for service as an Accommodation Ship for workers at Rosyth Dockyard who were engaged in finishing work on the battleship KING GEORGE V. After completion of these duties, she was converted for her new role and sailed in her first Convoy on 05 May 1941. She survived the War.
Formation of the Rescue Service
The success of these 6 early Rescue Ships and the increase in the number of Convoys requiring escort, necessitated further requisition to provide the numbers needed. In June 1941 the PSTO for Scottish ports, the Head of the Rescue Ship organisation, appointed one of his Staff as Rescue Ship Officer to devote his whole time to the administration of the ships. He was later joined by a Technical Officer too. These later acquisitions benefited from the earlier experiences of rescue work and from the preparation of their conversion plans and direct control of the refits by the Rescue Service Staff. Despite active opposition from the MoWT, the Admiralty’s case for additional tonnage prevailed and further vessels were requisitioned for conversion. The Union Castle Line’s WALMER CASTLE was next. She had been used on her owner’s Southampton-Bremen-Hamburg feeder service and had already been requisitioned in 190 for use as an armed supply vessel based at Scapa Flow. She was taken up for conversion into a Rescue Ship in June 1941 to replace HONTESTROOM which had been retuned to her owners as being unsuitable and sailed in her first and only Convoy on 13 September 1941. Sadly she was bombed just a week later by a Focke Wulf Kondor operating out of Bordeaux and was badly damaged and set on fire with the loss of 13 of her crew. After 64 survivors had been rescued by the sloop HMS DEPTFORD and the corvette HMS MARIGOLD, the former feeder ship was sunk by gunfire from HMS MARIGOLD as she posed a danger to navigation. A sister to BEACHY, named RATHLIN, was also taken in hand for conversion, and sailed in her first Convoy on 03 October 1941. During the period of hostilities she rescued no fewer than 634 survivors before being handed back to her owners on completion of her wartime service. The small Faroese-registered steamer named TJALDUR, which had been seized as a Prize in June 1941 and allocated to the British Government a month later, was pressed into service despite the advice of PSTO Staff that she was really too small for the Rescue Service which she entered in October 1941 as the 10th Rescue Ship. Their misgiving proved to be correct and after just 2 months she was discarded as being unsuitable for the tasks involved. The former London & North East Railway steamer DEWSBURY was next to join the ever-growing Rescue Ship Fleet and sailed in her first Convoy on 01 December 1941. She was joined by her 2 sisters STOCKPORT, a replacement for her sister BLACKBURN which was lost on her maiden voyage, which sailed in her first Convoy on 21 December 1941 and BURY which sailed in her first Convoy on 31 December that year. The next acquisition was the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co Ltd steamer GOTHLAND which sailed in her first Convoy on 24 February 1942 followed by the Hull & Netherlands S.S. Co Ltd vessel MELROSE ABBEY which sailed in her first Convoy on 12 May that year. Both of these vessels served with distinction and survived the War. Next came a 4th former L & NER steamer ACCRINGTON, a sister to the earlier 3 acquisitions and she sailed in her first Convoy on 31 August 1942. All 4 ships were elderly ladies and leaked considerably in heavy weather with the consequent flooding of accommodation and working areas and even the machinery spaces, but constant work during their lay-over periods on the Clyde gradually eliminated these problems. STOCKPORT became a wartime casualty but the other 3 were returned to the owners on cessation of hostilities. The next steamer to sail in her first Convoy after conversion was the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co Ltd ST SUNNIVA which departed on 03 January 1943 only to founder on her first voyage.. Another sister to both TOWARD and COPELAND named GOODWIN she sailed in her first Convoy on 12 March 1943. She too survived the war. It was not until 09 August that year that another Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co Ltd steamer, DUNDEE, sailed in her first Convoy. FASTNET, the 8th steamer to be requisitioned for service as a Rescue Ship from the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd, sailed in her first Convoy on 11 October 1943 and became the 20th Rescue Ship. She was returned to her owners on cessation of hostilities. She was quickly followed by her sister EDDYSTONE which sailed in he first Convoy on 23 October. The Aberdeen, Newcastle & Hull Steam Co Ltd steamer ABOYNE came next and sailed in her first Convoy on13 November 1943. She had a long career which spanned 26 years in total. Just under a month later the MacAndrew & Co steamer PINTO sailed in her first Convoy on 08 December and was lost when she was torpedoed and sunk in 1944. A week later the Prince Line steamer SYRIAN PRINCE sailed in her first Convoy on 15 December. Another North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co vessel named ST CLAIR, a former running mate to the ill-fated ST SUNNIVA, sailed in her first Convoy on 18 July 1944.The final ships acquired had originally been designed as units of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes, orders for which commenced in December 1942. The lessening tempo of the submarine assault in late 1943 led to large order cancellations at the same time that the Admiralty wished to increase the Rescue Ship fleet so 5 were completed as Rescue Ships. The first of these conversions, renamed EMPIRE REST sailed in her first Convoy on 12 November 1944, followed by EMPIRE LIFEGUARD on 25 November, EMPIRE PEACEMAKER on 10 February 1945, EMPIRE COMFORT on 25 February and finally EMPIRE SHELTER on 17 April. All 5 ships saw service post-war as troop transports before all being scrapped by December 1955.
These little ships gave tremendous service and many of their crews were decorated for their efforts. These 29 ships covered around 2.5 million miles, conducted 396 round voyages and rescued close on 4200 seamen from British and Allied ships and this number also included 4 German sailors who were rescued by ZAMALEK from U-523 after she had been sunk and who required medical aid not available on any of the escorts.
Ships’ Pre and Post-War Career Details
ABOYNE:
Official Number 165246
Signal Letters: GSJZ
Tonnages: 1020 grt 832 nrt
Dimensions: 248.7 ft x 37.7 ft x 15.1 ft
Machinery: T 3 cyl 19” 32½” & 56” – 42” by J.G. Kincaid & Co Ltd, Greenock. 264 nhp. Speed 13 knots. Single shaft.
Career Data:
28/12/36 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N.364) as ABOYNE for the Aberdeen, Newcastle & Hull Steam Co Ltd (R.C. Cowper, Managers)
02/37 Completed.
24/06/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Smith’s Dock at Middlesbrough.
29/10/43 Conversion completed,
13/11/43 Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 211 and over the next 2 years she escorted 26 Convoys and rescued 14 survivors from 2 sunken ships and 3 crashed aircrew from the British MACship EMPIRE MACCOLL and 3 from the Dutch MACShip GADILA.
15/06/45 Arrived Dundee on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
- Purchased by Clyde Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ARKLOW
- Purchased by G Heyn & Sons and renamed FAIR HEAD
1954 Purchased by Palgrave Murphy Ltd and renamed CITY OF HAMBURG
1958 Purchased by Hellenic Med Lines and renamed LIGURIA
1960 Purchased by T & F Athanassiades and renamed THOMAS A
04/06/63 Suffered a fire in position 36.45N 14.35E.
18/06/63 Was beached near Scalambri
ACCRINGTON
Official Number 127863
Signal Letters GDMJ
Tonnages 1678 grt 1098 nrt
Dimensions 265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft
Machinery T. 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 12” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts
Single shaft.
Career Data
08/09 Ordered along with her sister DEWSBURY
07/06/10 Launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 565) as ACCRINGTON for the Great Central Railway.
08/10 Completed
1914 – 1918 Acted in various roles, including a P.O.W. accommodation ship and a naval munitions supply vessel, carrying munitions to France.
17/04/17 – 29/11/18 Commissioned as an Admiralty training ship at Portsmouth.
11/18 Along with her sisters DEWSBURY and STOCKPORT she was chartered to the Great Eastern Railway for repatriation duties between Rotterdam and Harwich
01/01/23 Tx to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name.
05/35 Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.
04/03/42 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Wm Gray & Co Ltd at West Hartlepool.
26/07/42 Conversion completed.
31/08/42 Sailed from the Clyde in Convoy OG 89 on her first voyage and during the next 3 years she escorted 40 Convoys and rescued a total of 132 survivors from 3 sunken ships and 3 crashed aircrew from HMS BITER, 3 from HMS CAMPANIA and 3 from the MACship EMPIRE MACCALLUM.
18/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS 100 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
01/01/48 Tx to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.
06/01/51 Final voyage Antwerp – Harwich after which she was laid up and sold for scrap shortly afterwards for £19,000. Replaced on the run by her sister DEWSBURY.
02/05/51 Arrived Dunston for demolition by Clayton & Davie Ltd.
BEACHY:
Official Number 164102
Signal Letters GZCK
Tonnages 1600 grt 1170 nrt
Dimensions 272.5 ft x 38.4 ft x 17.2 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12 kts.
Single shaft.
Career Data:
01/10/36 Launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 551) as BEACHY for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
12/36 Completed
09/10/40 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 226 and in a very short career as such, she escorted just 5 Convoys before being herself sunk.
11/01/41 Was bombed and sunk by aircraft in position 53.29 N 16.24 W approx 500 miles West of Ireland with the loss of 5 of her crew of 38.
BURY:
Official Number 132093
Signal Letters GRNM
Tonnages 1686 grt 1098 nrt
Dimensions 265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft.
Machinery T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts.
Single shaft.
Career Data:
11/09 Ordered
03/11/10 Launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull ( Y.N. 569) as BURY for the Great Central Railway.
01/11 Completed.
04/08/14 Was seized by the Germans at Hamburg and her crew were interned at Ruhleben for the duration of WW1. She was used as an accommodation ship at Wilhelmshaven for the civilian pilots working for the Kriegsmarine up the Jade River Waterway into Jade Bay.
01/19 Was towed back to Grimsby and returned to her owners.
01/01/23 Tx to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway Co, same name
05/35 Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.
14/08/41 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Swan Hunter’s Neptune Yard on the Tyne.
27/12/41 Conversion completed.
31/12/41 Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 52 and during the next 4 years she escorted 48 Convoys and rescued 237 survivors from 9 sunken ships.
26/06/45 Arrived Immingham on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
01/01/48 Tx to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.
28/05/58 Last sailing from Hull – Rotterdam where she was sold to Dutch breakers.
01/07/58 Arrived New Waterway in tow of United Towing Co’s tug AIRMAN (333/45) for demolition by N.V. Machinehandel en Sleepsloperij “De Koophandel” at Nieuw Lekkerkerk.
COPELAND:
Official Number 147874
Signal Letters GJVW
Tonnages 1526 grt 1150 nrt
Dimensions 270.0 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.4 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” &56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Sped 12½ kts
Single shaft.
Career Data:
18/06/23 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee ( Y.N. 284) as COPELAND for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
08/23 Completed
20/12/40 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd at Linthouse
29/01/41 Conversion completed.
31/01/41 Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 280 and over the next 4 years she escorted 71 Convoys and rescued 270 survivors from 10 sunken ships and a further 163 survivors who were transferred to her by the escort ships of Convoy PQ18.
01/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy ON 305 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
1945 Purchased by North Continental Shipping Co Ltd (G. Heyn & Sons, Managers) and renamed NORTH DOWN
1947 Purchased by Mountain S.S.Co Ltd ( G Heyn & Sons, Managers) same name.
10/54 Purchased by Union International Co Ltd (Blue Star Line, Managers) and renamed DROVER
1954 Purchased by Belfast S.S. Co Ltd and renamed ULSTER HERDSMAN
05/10/63 Arrived Passage West for demolition by Haulbowline Industries Ltd.
DEWSBURY
Official Number 127859
Signal Letters GRNK
Tonnages 1678 grt 1103 nrt
Dimensions 265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts Single shaft.
Career Data:
08/09 Ordered along with her sister ACCRINGTON.
14/04/10 Launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 564) as DEWSBURY for the Great Central Railway.
06/10 Completed at a cost of £41,000.
17/06/10 Entered service
01/01/23 Tx to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name
05/35 Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.
24/07/41 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson on the Tyne..
01/12/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 42 and over the next 4 years she escorted 43 Convoys and rescued 5 survivors from sunken ships.
26/06/45 Arrived Grimsby on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
01/01/48 Tx to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, name unchanged
31/01/59 Final sailing from Antwerp – Harwich.
10/03/59 Arrived Flushing for demolition by the Brussels Shipbreaking Co.
DUNDEE
Official Number 144713
Signal Letters GWRS
Tonnages 1541 grt 1178 nrt
Dimensions 283.8 ft x 42.1 ft x 15.8 ft.
Machinery T 3 cyl 20½” 35” & 59” – 42” by A. Stephen & Sons Ltd, Glasgow. 361 nhp. Speed 12½ knots. Single shaft.
Career Data:
28/12/33 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 345) as DUNDEE for the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co Ltd.
02/34 Completed.
18/04/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Amos & Smith Ltd at Hull.
08/08/43 Conversion completed.
09/08/43 Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 196 and over the next 2 years she escorted 26 Convoys and rescued 11 survivors from sunken ships.
06/45 Was returned to her owners on completion of her wartime service
1948 Tx to the British & Continental S.S. Co Ltd and renamed DOTTEREL
28/08/61 Arrived Bilbao for demolition.
EDDYSTONE
Official Number 160177
Signal Letters GNKJ
Tonnages 1550 grt 1140 nrt
Dimensions 270.5 ft x 37.1 ft x 17.2 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 33” by the shipbuilder. 180 nhp. Speed 12½ kts Single shaft.
Career Data:
12/07/27 Launched by D & W Henderson & Co Ltd, Meadowside (Y.N. 787m) as
EDDYSTONE for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
15/09/27 Completed.
22/04/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at London
22/10/43 Conversion completed.
23/10/43 Sailed from the Thames on her first voyage in Convoy FN 1159 and over the next 2 years she escorted 24 Convoys and rescued 61 survivors from a sunken American ship and 3 crashed aircrew from the MACship EMPIRE MACKAY.
10/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde after an independent passage from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
1948 Purchased by Belfast Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co Ltd and renamed BROOKMOUNT.
05/09/59 Arrived Barrow for demolition by T.W. Ward Ltd
EMPIRE COMFORT
Official Number 169519
Signal Letters GFZN
Tonnages 1333 grt
Dimensions 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.
Career Data
19/01/43 Ordered
20/09/44 Launched by Ferguson Bros Ltd, Port Glasgow (Y.N. 372) as YORK CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 537
12/44 Construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE COMFORT under management of Ellerman City Lines.
25/02/45 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 113/ KMS 87 and over the next few months she escorted 8 Convoys where she initially took part in the Gibraltar and North Atlantic Convoys before WW2 ended.
27/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 356 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and was laid up on the Gareloch. She then became an accommodation ship for the 3rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. After this she was utilised as a ferry on the U.K. / Hook of Holland service before proceeding to the Mediterranean where she transported personnel and refugees between Cyprus and Libya.
1954 Tx to the MoT and was laid up in the River Fal.
07/55 Was towed to Antwerp after sale for reconditioning for further service in the Belgian Congo.
10/55 Intended service never materialised so was broken up by Jos de Smedt at Ghent.
EMPIRE LIFEGUARD
Official Number 169421
Signal Letters GFZW
Tonnages 1333grt
Dimensions 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.
Career Data:
09/12/42 Ordered
08/06/44 Launched by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley (Y.N. 664) as MAIDEN CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 443
11/44 Construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE LIFEGUARD under management of Ellerman City Lines.
25/11/44 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde to Liverpool for inspection by the Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches.
28/11/44 Sailed Liverpool for the Clyde nand suffered a major boiler accident on passage which required lengthy repairs.
08/03/45 Repairs finally completed, she sailed from the Clyde in Convoy OS 115 / KMS 89 and over the next two months she escorted just 6 Convoys before WW2 ended..
25/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 355 from Halifax N.S.on completion of her wartime service.
11/06/45 Was laid up in the Gareloch
08/10/45 Became an Accommodation Ship for the 3rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. Afterwards reverted to the MoT and was employed as an Army Ferry on the U.K. / Hook of Holland service before being sent to the Mediterranean.
23/07/47 Was holed after an underwater explosion in Haifa Harbour of limpet mines which had been fixed to her hull in Famagusta. She listed and sank soon after disembarking Jewish immigrants who had been brought from detention camps in Cyprus.
08/08/47 Was refloated.
22/08/47 Was towed to Port Said and docked there.
09/47 Repairs were finally completed, and during repairs she suffered 3 fires.
1954 Laid up in the River Fal
22/07/55 Arrived Antwerp in tow of the tug MARINIA (392/55)
10/55 Broken up by Jos de Smedt at Burght.
EMPIRE PEACEMAKER
Official Number 169428
Signal Letters GJBT
Tonnages 1333 grt
Dimensions 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.
Career Data
23/01/43 Ordered
08/09/44 Launched by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley (Y.N. 665) as SCARBOROUGH CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes Pennant Nr K 536
01/45 Construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE PEACEMAKER under management of Ellerman City Line
18/01/45 Sailed from the builder’s yard.
10/02/45 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 110 / KMS 84 and over the next three months she escorted 8 Convoys and rescued 3 survivors from an aircraft which had overrun the flight deck of EMPIRE MACALPINE.
18/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 354 from Halifax N.S.on completion of her wartime service and was laid up off Rosneath shortly afterwards. She then proceeded to Archangel to bring home the RN Party from there and finally served as an Army transport.
1954 Laid up in the River Fal.
07/55 Sold to Belgian breakers and was towed to Antwerp
12/55 Broken up at Burght by Jos de Smedt.
EMPIRE REST
.
Official Number 169516
Signal Letters GJCW
Tonnages 1333 grt
Dimensions 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.
Career Data:
09/12/42 Ordered
19/06/44 Launched by Ferguson Bros Ltd, Port Glasgow (Y.N. 371) a RAYLEIGH CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 695
10/44 Construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE REST under management of Ellerman City Line
26/10/44 Sailed from the builder’s yard.
12/11/44 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 95 / KMS 69 and over the next seven months she escorted 11 Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.
21/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde after an independent passage from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and was laid up.
11/45 Proceeded to Kiel to embark naval personnel for disembarkation at Devonport and was then used as an Army transport.
07/48 Laid up in the River Fal.
10/49 Offered for sale by the MoT
10/51 Purchased by Lloyds Albert Yard & Motor Boat Packet Services Ltd (R.A. Beazeley, Managers)
06/06/52 Arrived Briton Ferry for demolition by T.W. Ward Ltd..
EMPIRE SHELTER
Official Number 169520
Signal Letters GJCZ
Tonnages 1333 grt
Dimensions 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.
Career Data
19/01/43 Ordered.
05/10/44 Launched by Geo.Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd, Greenock (Y.N. 230) as BARNARD CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 694
03/45 Construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE SHELTER under management of Ellerman City Line
12/03/45 Was registered at Greenock
27/03/45 Sailed from the builder’s yard.
17/04/45 Conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 123 / KMS 97 and over the next month she escorted 6 Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.
22/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS 101 on completion of her wartime service and was laid up for a short while before becoming an Accommodation Ship, along with her sister EMPIRE COMFORT for the 3rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. She afterwards served as an army transport in the Mediterranean. Laid up in the River Fal.
29/07/55 Arrived Antwerp in tow of MARINIA (392/55) after sale to Belgian breakers.
09/55 Broken up at Burght by Jos de Smedt.
FASTNET
Official Number 160191
Signal Letters GNRD
Tonnages 1415 grt 1045 nrt
Dimensions 249.8 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.2 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 20” 33” & 53” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 175 nhp. Speed 12½ kts.
Single shaft.
Career Data:
24/11/27 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 315) as FASTNET for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
02/28 Completed
14/06/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship
07/10/43 Conversion completed.
11/10/43 Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 206 and over the next 2 years she escorted 25 Convoys and rescued 35 survivors from one sunken ship, the Norwegian FJORDHEIM
01/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
1949 Offered for sale by her owners
1950 Tx to the Belfast, Mersey & Manchester Shipping Co Ltd , part of Coast Lines and renamed GREYPOINT.
28/08/57 Arrived Preston for demolition
02/09/57 Demolition commenced by T. W. Ward Ltd
GOODWIN
Official Number 137845
Signal Letters GFLX
Tonnages 1570 grt 1160 nrt
Dimensions 270.3 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.3 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12½ kts
Single shaft
Career Data
.
04/17 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 244) as GOODWIN for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
05/17 Completed
12/42 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Hull
12/03/43 Sailed from Hull for the Clyde in Convoys FN 975 and EN 209
12/04/43 Conversion completed as a CRS, she sailed from the Clyde in Convoy ON 188 and over the next 2 years she escorted 25 Convoys and rescued 133 survivors from 4 sunken ships plus 3 crashed aircrew from HMCS SHERBROOKE
21/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde after an independent passage from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
1946 Purchased by G Heyn & Sons Ltd and renamed NORTH TIPPERARY
1947 Purchased by Saorstat and Continental S.S. Co Ltd and renamed CITY OF CORK Owners became Palgrove Murphy Ltd
21/05/55 Arrived Dublin for demolition by the Hammond Lane Foundry Ltd
GOTHLAND
Official Number 161829
Signal Letters MJMS
Tonnages 1286 grt 968 nrt
Dimensions 251.5 ft x 38.2 ft x 15.9 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl212 34” & 56” – 39” by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd, Glasgow.196 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data:
09/02/32 Launched by H Robb Ltd, Leith (Y.N. 192) as GOTHLAND for the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co Ltd (J Currie & Co, Managers)
03/32 Completed
11/41 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Plymouth.
05/02/42 Conversion completed.
24/02/42 She sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 80 and over the next 3 years she escorted 41 Convoys and rescued 146 survivors from 7 sunken ships and also 3 crashed aircrew from the MACship RAPANA .
06/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 358 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners. Purchased by the Claymore Shipping Co and renamed ASRAR.
17/04/61 Arrived Perama for demolition
HONTESTROOM
Official Number
Signal Letters PRSY
Tonnages 1857 grt 1496 nrt
Dimensions 265.5 ft x 37.2 ft x 20.2 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 33” & 57” – 39” by Maats. Fyenoord, Rotterdam. 203 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
04/21 Completed by N.V. Haarlemsche Scheepsb. Mij, Haarlem (Y.N. 59) as HONTESTROOM for Hollandsche Stoomboot Mij
01/10/40 Requisioned at Fowey for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Bristol.
10/01/41 Conversion completed as a CRS, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 272 over the next four months she escorted 11 Convoys and rescued 69 survivors from 3 sunken ships.
27/05/41 Arrived Reykjavik and owing to deficiencies in accommodation and basic facilities she was withdrawn from service as a CRS and returned to her owners
15/03/43 Was wrecked on Skage Reef in Iceland.
MELROSE ABBEY
Official Number 160830
Signal Letters GSYW
Tonnages 1908 grt 1247 nrt
Dimensions 281.3 ft x 38.2 ft x 17.3 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21½” 37” & 64” – 42” by the shipbuilder 474 nhp. Speed 14 Kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
28/02/29 Launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 674) as MELROSE ABBEY for the Hull & Netherlands S.S. Co Ltd (London & North Eastern Railway Co)
04/29 Completed
23/04/29 Delivered and placed on her owner’s Hull – Rotterdam service
05/35 Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the Fleet.
02/41 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship
31/03/41 Ran aground on Newburgh Minch beach and due to a combination of weather delaying salvage and a drifting mine exploding alongside the stranded ship, she remained fast for the next 4 months.
26/07/41 Was finally refloated and was towed to Aberdeen for repairs.
11/02/43 Arrived on the Clyde for conversion by T. Tennerhill & Co.
12/05/43 Conversion completed she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 94 and over the next 2 years she escorted 46 Convoys and rescued 85 survivors from 5 sunken ships.
28/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS 102 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
01/01/48 Tx to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.
04/58 Was renamed MELROSE ABBEY 11 to release her former name for a new ship.
01/59 Was replaced by her new namesake and was laid up at Humber Dock in Hull.
04/59 Purchased by Typaldos Bros and rebuilt into a cruise ship renamed KRITI.
12/66 Following the HERAKLION disaster, she was laid up near Piraeus
1980 Was broken up at Perama
PERTH
Official Number 123346
Signal Letters GQXB
Tonnages 2208 grt 1370 nrt
Dimensions 280.2 ft x 40.2 ft x19.8 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 24½” 39” & 64” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 345 nhp. Speed 12½ kts.
Single shaft.
Career Data
15/02/15 Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 240) as PERTH for the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co
07/15 Completed. Was requisitioned for service as an Armed Boarding Vessel in the Red Sea.
1919 Was returned to her owners.
14/10/40 Requisitioned for service as an Accommodation Ship for shipyard workers at Rosyth who were engaged in finishing work on the battleship HMS KING GEORGE V.
05/05/41 On completion of the above she was allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 61. Over the next 3 years she escorted 60 Convoys and rescued 439 survivors from 12 sunken ships plus 3 crashed aircrew from HMS BITER and 3 from the MACship EMPIRE MACANDREW..
21/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy SC 175 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners
1946 Purchased by the Falkland Islands Co and renamed LAFONIA.
1950 Purchased by Lloyd Mediterraneo and renamed VALFIORITA.
08/11/62 Arrived Porto Nogaro for demolition
PINTO
Official Number 149659
Signal Letters GNJZ
Tonnages 1346 grt 1055 nrt
Dimensions 270.1 ft x 39.1. ft x 15.6 ft
Machinery 1 x 6 cyl 24 – 51 diesel engine by the shipbuilder. 356 nhp. Speed 12kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
22/11/27 Launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan (Y.N. 744g) as PINTO for MacAndrews & Co.
02/02/28 Completed
09/07/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow By Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.
08/12/43 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 61 / KMS 35. During the next 9 months she escorted 10 Convoys and rescued just 2 survivors from 1 sunken ship before being herself torpedoed the same day.
08/09/44 Having just rescued survivors from the torpedoed whale factory ship EMPIRE HERITAGE NNE of Tory Island, she herself was torpedoed and sunk by U-482 in position 55.27 N 08.01 W, while on passage from Halifax N.S. to Greenock in Convoy HXF 305 with the loss of 21 of her crew.
RATHLIN
Official Number 164098
Signal Letters MMBJ
Tonnages 1600 grt 1170 nrt
Dimensions 272.5 ft x 38.4 ft x 17.2 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12½ kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
03/09/36 Launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 55) as RATHLIN for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.
11/36 Completed.
28/07/41 Requisitioned for service as a Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd with the assistance of T. Tannerhill & Co.
03/10/41 Conversion completed, she sailed on her first voyage from the Clyde in Convoy ON 22 to Iceland. Over the next 4 years she escorted 47 Convoys and rescued 634 survivors from 13 sunken ships including 6 Russian Convoys including the infamous PQ 17.
30/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy RA 67 from the Kola Inlet on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners
1953 Purchased by Burns & Laird Lines Ltd and renamed LAIRDSCRAIG
1980 Purchased by British & Irish Steam Packet Co and renamed GLENGARIFF
30/12/63 Arrived Passage West for demolition by Haulbowline Industries Ltd after sale for £12,500.
ST CLAIR
Official Number 165247
Signal Letters MMFX
Tonnages 1637 grt 922 nrt
Dimensions 253.4 ft x 38.1 ft x 15.4 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 20” 35” & 59” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 348 nhp. Speed 14 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data:
29/12/36 Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Y.N. 742) as ST CLAIR for the North of Scotland, Shetland & Orkney Steam Nav Co.
27/04/37 Completed.
06/05/37 Maiden voyage from Leith – Aberdeen – Orkney – Shetland
21/07/40 Requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Base and Accommodation Ship and was renamed HMS BALDUR. She took part in the occupation of Iceland and was stationed at Reykjavik.
10/43 Relieved at Reykjavik and proceeded to Aberdeen for conversion into a Convoy Rescue Ship by her original builders and reverted to her previous name.
18/07/44 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 245 to Halifax N.S. and for the next few months she escorted 14 Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.
08/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy SC 177 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners
1960 Was renamed ST CLAIR 11 and then ST MAGNUS
1966 Was renamed ST MAGNUS 11
30/03/67 – 01/04/67 Completed her final voyage.
04/67 Arrived Bruges for demolition by Van Heyghen Freres.
ST SUNNIVA
Official Number 162280
Signal Letters GQTS
Tonnages 1368 grt 761 nrt
Dimensions 240.0 ft x 35.0 ft x 23.8 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 20” 33½” & 56” – 36” by the shipbuilder. 255 nhp. Speed 12 knots. Single shaft.
Career Data:
02/04/31 Launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Y.N. 723) as ST SUNNIVA for the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Nav Co Ltd.
05/31 Completed
29/08/39 Requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Accommodation Ship.
20/09/42 Allocated as a Convoy Rescue Ship to replace the lost ZAAFARAN (q.v.) and was converted by Amos & Smith Ltd at Hull.
07/12/42 Arrived on the Clyde.
03/01/43 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her one and only voyage in Convoy ON 158 to Halifax N.S.
22/01/43 Lost, cause unknown but probably icing due to the extreme cold causing her to capsize without warning just 2 days out of Halifax with the loss of all hands.
STOCKPORT
Official Number 132111
Signal Letters GRNL
Tonnages 1683 grt 1098 nrt
Dimensions 265.0 ft x 86.0 ft x 17.4 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
12/10 Ordered as a replacement for her sister BLACKBURN which had been lost on her maiden voyage.
15/05/11 Launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 577) as STOCKPORT for the Great Central Railway.
07/11 Completed
11/18 Was chartered to the Great Eastern Railway, along with her sisters ACCRINGTON and DEWSBURY for repatriation duties between Rotterdam and Harwich.
01/01/23 Tx to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name.
05/35 Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.
08/07/41 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Messrs J R Evans at Liverpool.
21/12/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 49 and over the next couple of years she escorted 16 Convoys and rescued 322 survivors from 9 known sunken ships plus a further 91 survivors from various ships which were sunk in Convoy ON 166 before she herself was sunk whilst trying to rejoin the remnants of that Convoy.
23/02/43 Torpedoed and sunk by U–604 in position 47.22 N 24.10W to the East of Cape Race whilst on passage from Greenock – St John’s NFL with the loss of all 164 persons aboard.
SYRIAN PRINCE
Official Number 165353
Signal Letters GZGZ
Tonnages 1990 grt 1432 nrt
Dimensions 296.5 ft x 44.2 ft x 16.4 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 19” 31” & 55” – 36” by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool. 315 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
30/03/36 Laid down
01/10/36 Launched by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill (Y.N. 262) as SYRIAN PRINCE for Prince Line Ltd (Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, Managers)
12/36 Completed at a cost of £65,000.
07/43 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Hull by Amos & Smith Ltd.
15/12/43 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ONS 25 and over the next 2 years she escorted 19 Convoys, including one to North Russia, but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.
16/05/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 353 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
1959 Purchased by D.T. Petropoulos and renamed SUNNY MED
1964 Purchased by Methinitis Bros and renamed DINOS
25/10/69 Arrived Savona for demolition
TJALDUR
Official Number 145024
Signal Letters GYSD
Tonnages 1130 grt 912 nrt
Dimensions 220.3 ft x 32.7 ft x 17.3 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 17” 27” & 45” – 30” by the shipbuilder. 166 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
08/06/16 Launched by Kjobnhvns Flydk & Skbs, Copenhagen (Y.N. 126) as ST THOMAS for Det Ostasiatiske Kompagni.
10/16 Completed
1920 Purchased by United Baltic Corp Ltd and renamed BALTANNIC
1925 Purchased by P/Skipafelagid Foroyar and renamed TJALDUR
16/06/41 Seized as a Prize in the Faroes
07/41 Released to the British Govt by the Prize Court and came under MoWT control under management of the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd. Was requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.
26/10/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 30 but was sent back the following day as it became apparent that she could only make less than half of the Convoy speed. Over the next 2 months she escorted just 3 Convoys but her deficiencies soon forced her withdrawal form the Service.
26/12/41 Returned to the Clyde with defects and was withdrawn as a CRS and returned to the MoWT and placed under management of the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Nav Co Ltdw.
27/06/46 Was wrecked in position 62.07 N 06.35 W.
TOWARD
Official Number 147862
Signal Letters GJVX
Tonnages 1571 grt 1164 nrt
Dimensions 270.2 ft x 37.2 ft x 172 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 30” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12½ kts Single shaft
Career Data.
29/05/23 Launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 502) as TOWARD for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd
06/23 Completed
14/12/40 Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship
26/01/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 51 and over the next two years she escorted 45 Convoys and rescued 337 survivors from 10 sunken ships before she herself was sunk
07/02/43 Torpedoed and sunk by U402 S.E. of Cape Farewell in position 54.55 N 26.05 W while on passage from Halifax N.S. to Greenock in Convoy SC 118 with the loss of 43 of her crew while 28 were rescued by the corvette HMS MIGNONETTE and were landed at Londonderry
WALMER CASTLE
Official Number 165337
Signal Letters GZDF
Tonnages 906 grt 681 nrt
Dimensions 236.2 ft x 39.3 ft x 12.5 ft
Machinery 1 x 8 cyl 19“– 35“ by the shipbuilder. 539 nhp. Speed 12½kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
17/09/36 Launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast (Y.N. 983) as WALMER CASTLE for the Union Castle Mail Steamship Co Ltd.
30/11/36 Completed
1940 Requisitioned for service as an Armed Supply Ship based at Scapa Flow
1941 Allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship to replace HONTESTROOM (q.v.)
12/09/41 Conversion completed.
13/09/41 Sailed from the Clyde on her first and only voyage in Convoy OG 74 and in the next week she rescued 81 survivors from 3 sunken ships before herself being sunk.
21/09/41 Was attacked and sunk by a FW200 aircraft about 700 miles West of Ushant in position 47.16 N 22.25 W which made several attacks and on the 4th attack the ship was heavily hit by bombs. 11 of her Crew and 20 of the survivors from other ships were lost whilst 64 other survivors were taken aboard the sloop HMS DEPTFORD and the corvette HMS MARIGOLD who then sank the stricken vessel with gunfire as she posed a danger to navigation..
ZAAFARAN
Official Number 146164
Signal Letters GLSG
Tonnages 1563 grt 1103 nrt
Dimensions 270.4 ft x 39.2 ft x 14.9 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 28” 37½ & 60” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 292 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft.
Career Data
24/02/21 Launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon (Y.N. 371) as PHILOMEL for the General Steam Navigation Co
11/21 Completed
1934 Purchased by the Khedivial Mail S.S. & Graving Dock Co Ltd (Lord E Hamilton, Manager) and renamed ZAAFARAN.
10/40 Purchased and requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Barry by Messrs Bailey.
23/03/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 301 and over the next 18 months or so she escorted 26 Convoys and rescued 220 survivors from 7 sunken ships before being herself sunk
05/07/42 Was attacked by an aircraft in position 75.00 N 43.40 E whilst escorting Convoy PQ 17 along with her sister ZAMALEK and RATHLIN and was straddled by a stick of 3 bombs which caused extensive damage but incredibly only 1 person was killed. The remaining 61 of her crew and the 36 survivors from other ships aboard were rescued by ZAMALEK.
ZAMALEK
Official Number 146134
Signal Letters BFWP
Tonnages 1566 grt 1105 nrt
Dimensions 270.4 ft x 39.2 ft x 14.9 ft
Machinery T 3 cyl 28” 37½ & 60” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 292 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft
Career Data
29/10/20 Launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon (Y.N. 370) as HALYCON for the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd
10/21 Completed
1934 Purchased by the Khedivial Mail S.S. & Graving Dock Co Ltd (Lord E Hamilton, manager) and renamed ZAMALEK
1939 Re-purchased by the MoT and placed under the management of General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, same name
03/40 Requisitioned by the Admiralty
10/40 Allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Govan by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.
26/02/41 Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 291 and over the next 4 years she escorted 68 Convoys and rescued a a total of 665 survivors (the highest number of rescues of all of the CRS’s) from 19 sunken ships, including 216 from 7 ships sunk in Convoy PQ 17 (also escorted by her sister ZAAFARAN and her consort RATHLIN) and even 4 from U–523 which had also been sunk.
03/06/45 Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 357 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.
05/11/56 She was scuttled by the Egyptians in Suez Harbour during the Suez Crisis as a blockship and was finally cut up during clearance operations the following year.
Bibliography
Greenway A A Century of North Sea Passenger Steamers
Hague A Convoy Rescue Ships 1940 – 1945
Haws D Britain’s Railway Steamers
Lenton H T British and Empire Warships of the Second World War
Lloyds Register Lloyds Registers of Shipping (various years)
Middlemiss N Coast Lines
Mitchell and Sawyer The Empire Ships
Robins N Birds of the Sea – 150 Years of the General Steam Navigation Company
Tennant A J British and Commonwealth Merchant Ship Losses to Axis Submarines 1939 - 1945
Periodical
World Ship Society Marine News (various years) |
