Convoy ON 145 - warsailors.com (original) (raw)

The escorts leaving the U.K. were USCG Campbell (not included in A. Hague's list), HMCS Rosthern, Trillium, Badger (not included in A. Hague's list), HMS Dianthus and the Polish destroyer Burza. Escort duties were transferred on Nov. 19 in 43 47N 48 11W.

British Valour had initially been in the convoy (escort oiler), but had to return to Clyde due to engine trouble (A. Hague has listed her again in ON 147 - See Ships in all ON convoys). Panama had also been among the ships, but straggled, also with engine trouble. A number of southbound vessels dispersed on the 17th, and it appears Panama was among them.

The convoy was attacked by U-518 on Nov. 21, 2 British ships were damaged, 1 sunk.

At the time of the attack on the 21st the following 19 ships were in the convoy (others having dispersed):

The British Empire Sailor in station 82 for St. John N.B - Torpedoed and sunk by U-518 with the loss of 22 lives - Ref. external link below. Alan says that included in her cargo was a quantity of phosgene gas rocket shells. Although all but 3 of the crew escaped from the ship a further 20 died within a few hours as a result of inhaling the phosgene gas. He adds, "I have even discovered that a dog mentioned as a footnote on a naval signal as being destined for Halifax had actually been left on board the Empire Sailor when she was torpedoed but was rescued the next day when a boarding party went back to see if salvage was possible. The dog had had the good sense to seek refuge on the top bridge and avoid the phosgene gas; however the ship's cat perished!"
The British British Promise in station 61, bound for New York for orders, but after having been torpedoed and damaged on Nov. 21 (U-518) diverted to Halifax. See also external link below.
The British British Renown in station 71, New York for Curacao, also diverted to Halifax after having been torpedoed and damaged on Nov. 21 (U-518). See external link below.

The British Boston City, for New York.
The British Comanchee in station 51 for New York, Commodore Magee.
The British Idomeneus in station 63, New York for Panama, Melbourne and Sydney.

The American Paul H. Harwood, New York for orders - not included in A. Hague's listing.
The American Pan-Rhode Island, New York for orders.
The American Esso Baywater, New York for Curacao - not included in A. Hague's list; instead he has Esso Bayway.
The American Gulf Hawk, New York for orders.
The American Gulf Gem, New York for Curacao.
The American White Plains, New York.
The American W.W. Bruce in station 72, New York for Curacao (not included in A. Hague's listing).
U.S.S. Laramie, Naval Oiler (not included by A. Hague).

The Dutch Aruba in station 81 - bound for Boston

The Norwegian Brant County in station 83, for St John N.B.
The Norwegian Mosli, New York for Curacao.
The Norwegian Skaraas in station 23, Halifax.
The Norwegian Thorhild, New York for orders. Vice Commodore Whitehorn.

Escorts at the time were HMS Wanderer and the Canadian Buctouche, Minas and Timmins.

Officers from various ships were interviewed on arrival in port. These included the following:
From Brant County listed as H. Moe, Chief Officer O. Granum, 2nd Officer (on watch at the time) Sub. Lt E. A. Yang? RNN and Sub Lt B. Stendal RNN. They had seen Empire Sailor being hit, start firing tracers and turning to port. They observed that she did not develop a list (actually listed 20 degrees to port), and could see her plainly for 40 minutes after she was hit. They assumed she had launched 3 boats as 3 lights were seen in the water (all 4 boats were launched). They had not sighted the sub and no shots were fired. The officers of this ship expressed the opinion that a small escort ought to be placed in the centre of the convoy at night from which position it would be able to deal more effectively with subs attacking from within the convoy.

S. Waage, listed as Master of Skaraas reported that his 2nd Officer had seen a periscope in the centre of the convoy shortly after the firing of tracers began.

Escorts were replaced again on Nov. 22 for the final leg to New York by HMS Caldwell (Lt. Commander E.M. Mackay RNR), HMCS Matapedia (Lt. R.J. Herman RCNR), HMCS Moncton (Lt. A.W. Ford RCNR), HMCS Granby (Mate J.R. Biggs RCNR).

It appears other ships joined the convoy for the final leg to New York, among them the Norwegian Askepot which was reported and reprimanded for straggling and failing to keep station. In the opinion of the Senior Officer Lt Commander Mackay RNR "she endangered both herself and the convoy as she never caught up with the main body till arrival in port". Alan says that there is also mention in signals of the American tanker Trontolite who also appears to have joined after Nov. 21 (listed as British by A. Hague - see table above). Like Askepot, this ship also became a straggler.

According to Uboat.net, the Dutch Polydorus was sunk by U-176 on Nov. 27, after having been dispersed from the convoy on Nov. 15.

Additionally, Uboat.net says that the Dutch Tjileboet had been in this convoy, but was dispersed and was sunk by U-161 on Nov. 29. See external links below. (The latter ship is not included in A. Hague's listing for ON 145).

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To the next convoy in my list ON 146
will be added, as will ON 147 through ON 151
In the meantime, see Ships sailing in all ON convoys
The next available ON convoy is ON 152