Convoy HGF 20 - warsailors.com (original) (raw)

Convoy HGF 20 Cruising Order
Departed Gibraltar on Febr. 22-1940 and arrived Liverpool on March 3 (Arnold Hague says 30 ships).

Received from Tony Cooper, England (his source: Public Records Office, Kew).

11
Ardeola
Valencia-Liverpool
(Br)

21
Cortes
Barcelona-Liverpool
(Br)

31
Automedon
Townsville-Liverpool
(Br)

41
Camito
Haifa-Glasgow
(Br)

61
Clan Macneil
Calcutta-London
(Br)

71
Raby Castle
Cairns-London
(Br)

81
Bencleuch
Hong Kong-London
(Br)

91
Clan Monroe
Cochin-London
(Br)

12
Clunepark
Bona-Liverpool
(Br)

22
British Tenacity
Abadan-Stanlow
(Br)

32
British Resolution
Abadan-Avonmouth
(Br)

42
Gartbrattan
Palermo-Glasgow
(Br)

52
Nagina
Calcutta-London
(Br)

~~City of Khios~~

Rangoon-Liverpool/London
(Br)

Lunula
Constantza-Liverpool
(Br)

72
Incemore
Constantza-Grimsby
(Br)

82
Nagpore
Calcutta-London
(Br)

92
City of Ripon
Calcutta-London
(Br)

13
Auk
Jaffa-Liverpool
(Br)

23
River Afton
Bona-Glasgow
(Br)

33
British Chemist
Abadan-Swansea
(Br)

43
Woodlark
Real Ville-Bristol
(Br)

53
Grodno
Dubrovnink-London

63
British Power
Abadan-London
(Br)

73
Vendémiaire
Tripoli-Le Havre
(Fr)

83
Horn Shell
Haifa-Rouen
(Br)

93
Runo
Genoa-London
(Br)

34
Sinnington Court
Vancouver
(Br)

44
Aslaug
Jaffa-Cardiff
(Da)

54
Baltrader
Susak-London
(Br)

64
Lisbon
Oporto-London
(Br)

Nagina later moved to station 51.
Grodno moved to station 52.
Baltrader moved to station 53.
Lisbon moved to station 73 when the French ship parted company.
Sinnington Court parted company for Vancouver at 19:00 on Febr. 24, via Panama.
The 2 cancelled ships joined Convoy HG 20

Notes:
Commodore was in Clan Macneil (Captain H. E. G. Scott Smith, Vice Commodore in Automedon.

With regard to his ship, the Commodore states: "Has suitable accomodation for Commodore and staff, and is a well run and efficient vessel. The Master is a charming host, and a very painstaking, careful and accurate navigator and a fine seaman".

Vendémiaire and Horn Shell parted company in the morning of Febr. 28.
Camito, River Afton, British Tenacity and Gartbrattan parted company for Clyde that afternoon, while British Resolution, British Chemist, Aslaug and Woodlark left for Bristol Channel ports.

At 08:05 on Febr. 25, Raby Castle hauled out of convoy and stopped, due to engine problems - rejoined at 16:50 same day, but again had to stop for the same reason at 11:40 on Febr. 29 - rejoined 15:20 same day.

Baltrader dropped out of sight astern during a gale in the forenoon of March 1. By daylight the following day, only 13 ships were present, widely dispersed.

Grodno stopped for "slight defects" at 08:52 on March 3. This ship was detached at 14:00 that same day to sink a mine - rejoined at 17:15.

Escorts:
Ocean: Panthere, armed trawler Merceditta (both French), HMS Velox - left Gibraltar with convoy.
Panthere and Merceditta parted company at 07:55 on Febr. 28 in 48 04N 10 00W, while Velox left with Sinnington Court at 19:00 on Febr. 24 in 37 14N 12 33W.
Local Escort: HMS Sandwich, Vanoc, Whirlwind - met in 48N 10 05W on Febr. 28. Vanoc and Whirlwind parted company with northbound ships at 17:15 on Febr. 28 in 48 30N 8 40W. Sandwich left at 11:15 on March 3 in 50 23N 0 24W - this left 13 ships completely unprotected until arrival Dungeness at 05:45 on March 4.

Air Escort: - None on the day of departure (fresh easterly gale blowing). At 12:48 the next day, Febr. 23, 1 flying boat was seen ahead, and a seaplane during the afternoon.
From 09:35 till 16:30 on Febr. 28 a flying boat was over and around the convoy.
At 08:20, 10:50 and 13:50 on Febr. 29 - 1 Anson plane, which remained for about 20 minutes on each occasion.
From 14:30 till 15:15, and from 16:00 till 17:00, March 3 - 1 Anson plane.

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