Convoy HG 38 - warsailors.com (original) (raw)
Notes:
Commodore, Vice Admiral B. Fairbairn was in Dundee, Vice Commodore was W. S. Hall, the captain of Polo.
The Commodore refers to his ship as City of Dundee throughout his report, however, the ship is listed as Dundee with tonnage 1541 gt in the Advance Sailing Telegram (City of Dundee was larger).
The convoy had 7 ships.
Average speed: 6 1/2 knots.
Kemi dropped astern and was last seen at 18:00 on July 11 in 35 35N 8 00W. The convoy zig-zagged at 5 knots all day to enable her to catch up, but she never did and had to be left behind.
Theseus was also far astern at daylight on July 11, but caught up during the forenoon. However, she was no longer in sight in the morning of July 12 and was not seen again.
Marie Mærsk parted company for Capetown at 21:00 on July 12 in 35 40N 11 33W.
Vae Victis and Johan left for Milford Haven at 11:43 on July 23 in 55 09N 5 45W.
Dundee and Polo anchored at Greenock at 19:00 on July 23.
Commodore Fairbairn says that "owing to the very long route laid down and the head winds and sea experienced, it was found that Dundee would not have sufficient coal or boiler water to adhere to the route ordered. The ship was full up on leaving Gibraltar and the water in the third boiler was used in the other two. Under these circumstances there was no alternative but to shorten the route. This was done by steering from position 35 50N 11 58W to the 4th position (47 00N 20 00W) and then following the route ordered".
Escorts:
Ocean escort (from Gibraltar): HMS Volunteer - parted company at 10:00 BST on July 18.
Local: HMS Gladiolus.
To the next HG convoy in my list HG 39