Convoy ON 33 - warsailors.com (original) (raw)

Convoy ON 33 Cruising Order
Departed Liverpool on Nov. 3-1941, dispersed on the 23rd (Arnold Hague says 49 ships).

Transcribed from several documents received from Roger Griffiths (his source: Public Records Office, Kew).

This table shows the formation as per Nov. 6 - some ships had parted company by then and, therefore, are not included in this table. More ships are named in Notes below, as well as in Arnold Hague's listing for this convoy at ships in all ON convoys.

Please note that the document showing the cruising order is rather blurry, and some of the names have been hard to decipher (added to that, I believe a few of them are mis-spelt). I've typed them up the way they look to me.

See also Convoy SC 48 and SC 59.

Br=British, Am=American, Pan=Panamanian, Norw=Norwegian, Sw=Swedish, Da=Danish, Fr=French, Gr=Greek, Po=Polish, Bel=Belgian, Ru=Russian
MOWT=Ministry of War Transport.

11
Helencrest
Halifax
(Br)
CAM

21
Cantal
Sydney C.B.
(Fr / MoWT 1941)

31
Oakworth
Boston
(Br)

41
Empire Sun
Halifax
(Br)
CAM

51
Framlington Court
Halifax
(Br)

61
Antigone
New York
(Br)

71
Picotee
Baltimore
(Br)

81
Empire Selwyn
Halifax
(Br)

91
Gitano
Sydney C.B.
(Br)

101
Empire Moon
Halifax
(Br)
CAM

12
Eastmoor
New York
(Br)

22
New York City
New York
(Br)

32
Baltara
Sydney C.B.
(Br)

42
Spero
New York
(Norw)

52
British Corporal
New York
(Br)

62
Kirkpool
New York
(Br)

72
Baron Erskine
Tampa
(Br)

82
Bosworth
New York
(Br)

92
Rudby
Halifax
(Br)

102
Peterton
(Peterston?)
Fernandino
(Br)

13
Iron Baron
Sydney C.B./Clarke City
(Norw)

23
Snar
St. John's, N.F.
(Norw)

33
Senta
Sydney C.B.
(Norw)

43
Peder Bogen
New York
(Br)

53
Scottish Heather
Curacao
(Br)

63
Birgit*
Clarkville

73
Innerton
Savannah
(Br)

83
Dalby
(mis-spelling of Danby)
Philadelphia
(Br)

93
Fidelio
Sydney C.B
(Norw)

103
Cydonia
Sydney C.B.
(Br)

14
Modlin
St. John's
(Po)

24
Macbeth
Boston
(Pan)

34
Varand
Aruba
(Br)

44
President Francqui
Reykjavik
(Bel)

54
Ragnhildsholm
St. Pierre Miquelon
(Sw)

64
Teneke?
Sydney C.B.

74
Baron Tweedsmuir
Sydney C.B
(Br)
See note below

84
Tredinnick
Sydney C.B.
(Br)
See note below

94
Monocacy
Hvalfjord
(Am)

104
Aelybryn*
(Dan-y-Bryn?*)
Hvalfjord
(Br)

15
Baron Vernon
Havana
(Br)

25
Rodina*
Reykjavik
(Ru)

35
Alma Ata*
Reykjavik
(Ru)

45
Budenni*
Hvalfjord
(Ru)

55
Tomsk
Reykjavik
(Br)

65
Perth
Rescue Ship
Reykjavik
(Br)

85
Lancastrian Prince
Reykjavik
(Br)

105
Mount Pindus
Reykjavik
(Gr)

16
Sagona*
Hvalfjord

46
Volitha?*
Reykjavik

106

Modlin had previously returned to port from Convoy ON 31, as had the Norwegian Senta.

* The ship in station 63 is listed as Birgit. The Danish Birgit had already been seized by Vichy France (1940) and renamed St. Etienne, then German Birgit in 1941. This should probably be the Danish Birgitte, which was taken over by MoWT in 1940. The ship in station 104 is given as Al-y-Bryn; this should probably be Dan-y-Bryn. The ship in station 46 is probably the Norwegian Bollsta.

* For info, Rodina is listed in Convoy PQ 4, which left Hvalfjord on Nov. 17-1941 and arrived Archangel on the 28th. See this external site. The ship in station 35 was spelt Alamata in the original document for ON 33, this is a mis-spelling of the Russian Alma Ata, which is also listed in PQ 4. There's a Sagona in station 16, but it might be a mis-spelling of the Russian Sukahona in PQ 4. It could not have been the Norwegian Sagona, as this ship arrived Port Said on Nov. 3-1941. Arnold Hague, however, does have a British Sagona in ON 33 (808 gt, built in 1912), and a ship that he spells Sukhona (Russian), giving them both station 16, the latter, carrying stores, detached for Reykjavik on Nov. 9. Sukahona and Sukhona might be the same ship, one being mis-spelt. Dan-y-Bryn and Budenni are also included in PQ 4.

As already mentioned, the original document for this convoy shows the formation as per Nov. 6, by which time some ships had parted company. When comparing the information in this table with Arnold Hague's listing (again, see ON 33 at ships in all ON convoys), it'll be noticed that he has also included the following:
The British, Ex Danish Anneberg - returned to port (see also Commodore's notes below) - listed in ON 35.
The British Baron Graham, with a note saying "put back with leaks" - listed in ON 35.
The British Cordelia, voyage Milford Haven to Belfast.
The American Eagle.
The British Empire Meteor, station 76 (detached for Iceland Nov. 9 - see also Commodore's notes) - listed in PQ 4 to Russia.
The British Frumenton, station 95 - returned to port (see also Commodore's notes) - listed in ON 35.
The British Hengist, station 66, general cargo for Reykjavik, detached Nov. 9.
The Norwegian Lista - returned to port (see also Commodore's notes) - listed in ON 35.
The British Modesta - returned (see also Commodore's notes) - listed in ON 37.
The Russian Mossovet, stores for Reykjavik, station 96, detached Nov. 9 - also listed in Convoy PQ 4 to Russia.
The American Sapelo, but no station or destination is given.

He does not mention Tredinnick at all in this convoy. In fact, this ship shows up again in ON 35, so it looks like she did not sail in ON 33(?)

Some of his other info differs slightly in some cases, or has additional details:
Instead of Baron Tweedsmuir in station 74, he has Baron Tweedmouth.
He has Bollsta in station 47 (instead of 46), cargo of cement.
He says Budenni joined from Iceland, carrying stores (from the convoy document it looks like she was bound to Iceland, and this is probably correct, since she proceeded with Convoy PQ 4 on Nov. 7).
He has Cydonia in station 95 (instead of 103)
He has Dan-y-Bryn in station 106, saying she was detached for Reykjavik on Nov. 9, cargo of stores
Danby's destination is given as Halifax.
Ragnhildsholm's destination is given as Calcutta (see also Commodore's notes).
Macbeth has been given destination St. John's, N.F. (see also Commodore's notes)
The American Monocacy is also said to have joined from Iceland.
The ship in station 102 is Peterston.
Rodina carried Government stores; Alma Ata also carried stores, as did Lancastrian Prince.
For Scottish Heather he says "requiring bunkers, detached Nov. 14" (see also Commodore's notes).
Fidelio became a straggler on Nov. 13 (see also Commodore's notes).

Perth was on her 10th voyage as Rescue Vessel, joining from Clyde on Nov. 4, remaining with the convoy until detachment off Iceland. Later returned to Clyde with Convoy HX 158 (Nov. 13-Nov. 18).

Notes:
Commodore E. O. Cochrane was in Framlington Court, Vice Commodore was the captain of Oakworth.

The convoy had 60 ships - 6 were present at time of dispersal, the convoy having become scattered in gales and fog between Nov. 17 and Nov. 20, so that at sunset on Nov. 20 only the following ships were in company: Framlington Court, Empire Moon, Empire Selwyn, Senta, Kirkpool and Spero. These remained together until the convoy dispersed on the 23rd.

Average speed: 5.7 knots.

Daily positions of convoy are available on request via contact address provided at the bottom of this page. (These positions have also been sent to Mike Holdoway, who in turn has made a chart of the convoy's progress, - it can be reached through this external page).

The Commodore says:
"A complete list of ships that were supposed to join from Aultbea with destinations was never obtained. Three versions all differing were received from Beagle. After Iceland ships left endeavour was made to get this information by hoisintg signal letters and destinations, but many ships hoisted signal letters which were not shown in merchant ship index code. Others hoisted destinations differing from those given on forms supplied from Liverpool and Clyde. In the end after several days nearly all ships were identified with their destinations. Ragnhildsholm remained a mystery to the end" (differing destinations given).

He adds:
Kirkpool, Master Kennington(?), kept good station and was smart at repeating and answering signals.
However, Innerton, Master Cumming, "burnt navigation lights contrary to orders from 18:20 to 19:00 Nov. 16. Refused to answer signals from Commodore. Primrose later eventually got lights put out by opening fire with a machine gun". Also, Norwegian Snar "took 1 1/2 hours to answer and obey signal to part company and join convoy for Newfoundland".

Anneberg (not included on A 1 form) parted company on Nov. 5 with engine trouble - proceeded to Loch Ewe (listed in ON 35), and HMS Dorade II(?) parted company on account of gale warning - went to Stornoway.

Frumenton returned to Loch Ewe (engine defects), as did Modesta and Norw. Lista - time and date unknown due to low visiblity and moderate gale. Lista left because of shortage of lub. oil, having only 10 days' supply on board (Frumenton and Lista are listed in ON 35, Modesta in ON 37). Also, the Commodore says that Empire Meteor, Oilreliance, Hengist , Flowergate and Parkdoan? (Parklaan?) "were never sighted to my knowledge". None of these ships are included in the table above.

Ragnhildsholm was missing from convoy at daylight on Nov. 10 - brought back by a corvette the following day, having been found ahead of the convoy.
Fidelio was missing at daylight of Nov. 14, approx. position 51 00N 30 00W.

Ships bound for St. John's left at 13:00 on Nov. 17.
Scottish Heather was also sent to St. John's, being short of boiler ? (Commodore's handwriting hard to decipher).
Macbeth left with defective heater(?) coils, and had only 3-4 days fuel left when parting company with the St. John's portion. She subsequently broke down completely, with no fuel left, when about 400 miles east of Cape Race?
Modlin*, Snar, Birgit (should be Birgitte) and Ragnhilsdholm left on the same date - Ragnhildsholm was then believed to be bound for Rangoon via Trinidad, Capetown, Port Elizabeth and ? (looks like Durban). She had given her destination as St. Pierre Miquelon on one ocassion, Trinidad at another time

* Another note states that Modlin stopped with engine defects, but regained convoy - this may have been at another time (?). Framlington Court also had 2 breakdowns in the course of the voyage, but defects were remedied and she was able to regain the convoy.

Escorts:
From U.K. to Iceland: HMS Beagle, Roxborough, Heather, Lobelia, Narcissus, Lady Madeleine, Norwich City, Arab. Roxborough procceded to Iceland with defects at 11:00 on Nov. 8 in 59 13N 16 24W. Beagle parted company with Iceland portion at 08:00 Nov. 9
From Iceland to dispersal: HMCS St. Laurent, Trail, Snowberry, Primrose, Polyanthus, Chilliwack, Collingwood. The latter left in 46 2N 40 38W - approx. 500 miles from St. John's, Nov. 17.

Air Escort:
Fairly continuous Nov. 4, 5 and 6. "Aircraft kept their distance and did not fly over convoy".

A. Hague lists the following (extracted from this list of ON convoy escorts, based on Arnold Hague's database, received from D. Kindell; dates are European style, day/month/year):
Arab - From 04/11/41 to 09/11/41
Beagle - From 04/11/41 to 09/11/41
Chilliwack - From 11/11/41 to 19/11/41
Collingwood - From 11/11/41 to 17/11/41
Commandant Detroyat - From 04/11/41 to 11/11/41
Heather - From 04/11/41 to 11/11/41
Lady Madeleine - From 04/11/41 to 11/11/41
Lobelia - From 04/11/41 to 11/11/41
Narcissus - From 04/11/41 to 11/11/41
Norwich City - From 04/11/41 to 09/11/41
Polyanthus - From 15/11/41 to 17/11/41
Primrose - From 11/11/41 to 22/11/41
Roxborough - From 04/11/41 to 08/11/41
Snowberry - From 10/11/41 to 21/11/41
St. Laurent - From 10/11/41 to 13/11/41
Stella Capella - From 04/11/41 to 09/11/41
Trail - From 10/11/41 to 18/11/41

*********

The Commodore's narrative of passage is available to me, but the handwritten document is so hard to decipher in places that I'll just add some excerpts from it here, as follows:

Convoy sailed from Clyde at 00:30 on Nov. 4-1941, 12 ships in company. Joined up with Liverpool, Belfast and Milford portions - 17 ships at 11:00. Weather bright and clear, formed 4 columns. North? going tide in Minches running about 3 Knots. South going tide apparently didn't run? at all. In consequence, passed Aultbea rendezvous at 11:00 on Nov. 5 instead of 17:00. Formed convoy at 09:20. Weather which had been very fine up till 13:00 deteriorated very suddenly. Aultbea portion sighted ahead at 14:30 and later came into station. They appeared to have been unformed and straggling with no Commodor in charge. Another group straggling about 10 miles astern. Convoy steaming at 6 knots all night.

At daylight on Nov. 6 visibility was poor - 46 ships. All balloons blown away or exploded. 4 more ships joined during the day.

50 ships in sight Nov. 7, 4 returned to Loch Ewe, 5 unaccounted for. Weather continued to deteriorate until a southwesterly gale blew up on Nov. 8(?), with heavy rain and low visibility. After the Iceland portion had parted company at 08:00 on Nov. 9 (59 30N 21 20W, Commodore, Captain Shaw of Lancastrian Prince), 38 ships remained in company. Wind veered 16 points from southeast to northwest between 14:00 and 20:00. The next day(? most of the dates are missing in the left margin of the document), the escorts St. Laurent, Snowberry and Trail joined. Heather and U.K. Escort left at 07:00 (possibly on the 11th?) and Primrose, Chilliwack and Collingwood joined. St. Laurent parted company at noon on Nov. 13(?) in 51 34N 29 46W, having been ordered to Halifax. 37 ships in company Nov. 14 (Fidelio missing, as mentioned further up on this page). The wind was blowing hard all day Nov. 15. HMS Polyanthus joined (position looks like 48 35N 34 21W). Making good about 4 knots. Convoy route was changed on the 16th at 11:15 to pass through (A) 45N 42W, altered 18° to port.

Ships bound for Newfoundland parted company at 13:00 on Nov. 17 in 46 2N 40 38W. Gale increasing in strength all day, speed made good that afternoon was only about 2 knots. Opened columns to 8 cables apart. A number of ships unmanageable, hoisting N.U.C. lights (not under control). Framlington Court fell off to port out of center at 10:00 - stopped for half an hour to get clear of convoy. Heavy rain squalls that night. 17 ships were in sight at daylight Nov. 18. 21 ships by nightfall. Still blowing moderate gale, making good 2 1/2 knots.

Not under control at 06:30 Nov. 19 (I believe this refers to Framlington Court?). 21 ships in sight at daylight, 1 escort. Blowing hard all day, but possible to form convoy, ships only partially under control making good about 2 1/2 knots. 66 miles run at noon. 9 ships in sight at daylight Nov. 20. Weather improving. 5 ships in company at sunset (Empire Selwyn, Senta, Kirkpool, Empire Moon and Spero), and escort Primrose. 8 ships about 7 miles ahead with Snowberry. Speed 8 knots at 17:00, course 270°. Course and speed passed to portion ahead by R/T. Thick fog from about 04:00 to 10:00 (21st), continuing patchy all day. Baron Vernon joined at 10:30 from northward, ordered to part company to destination. Same 6 ships in company, but the portion ahead with Snowberry was not sighted again.

Primrose parted company at 06:00, Nov. 22(?) in 44 25?N 51 30W. Weather clear and fine. Dispersed convoy at 08:00 on Nov. 23, in 43 30N 55 00W.

Back to Convoy Index

To the next ON convoy in my list ON 34