Allied Warships
HMS Comorin (F 49)
Armed Merchant Cruiser
Comorin at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia on 25 March 1926.
Photograph with thanks to Mick Hickson, Australia.
Navy | The Royal Navy |
Type | Armed Merchant Cruiser |
Class | [No specific class] |
Pennant | F 49 |
Built by | Barclay, Curle & Co. Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland) |
Ordered | |
Laid down | |
Launched | 31 Oct 1924 |
Commissioned | 30 Dec 1939 |
Lost | 6 Apr 1941 |
Loss position | 54° 34'N, 21° 20'W |
History | On 5 September 1939 the passenger ship Comorin of the P. & O. Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to an armed merchant cruiser. Conversion was completed on 30 December 1939. Displacement: 15116 BRT Career: On 6 April 1941 HMS Comorin (Capt. John Ignatius Hallett, DSO, RN (retired)) caught fire in heavy weather in the North Atlantic and had to be abandoned. 20 dead and 455 survivors. The wreck was shelled and sunk in position 54º34'N, 21º20'W the next day by the British destroyer HMS Broke (Cdr. B.G. Scurfield, RN). |
Commands listed for HMS Comorin (F 49)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
Commander | From | To | |
1 | Capt. (retired) John Ignatius Hallett, DSO, RN | 14 Sep 1939 | 6 Apr 1941 |
2 | A/Capt. (retired) Christopher Henry Petrie, RN | 30 Sep 1939 | Oct 1939 |
You can help improve our commands section
Click here to Submit events/comments/updates for this vessel.
Please use this if you spot mistakes or want to improve this ships page.
Notable events involving Comorin include:
15 May 1940
Convoy BHX 43
This convoy departed Bermuda on 15 May 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Ahamo (British, 8621 GRT, built 1926), Athelcrest (British (tanker), 6825 GRT, built 1940), Athelprince (British (tanker), 8782 GRT, built 1926), Baxtergate (British, 5531 GRT, built 1925), Bhima (British, 5280 GRT, built 1939), British Courage (British (tanker), 6952 GRT, built 1928), British Hussar (British (tanker), 6944 GRT, built 1923), British Loyalty (British (tanker), 6993 GRT, built 1928), Chama (British (tanker), 8077 GRT, built 1938), Dallas City (British, 4952 GRT, built 1935), Daytonian (British, 6434 GRT, built 1922), Ensis (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Inverilen (British (tanker), 9456 GRT, built 1938), Iroquois (British (tanker), 8937 GRT, built 1907), Laurits Swenson (Norwegian, 5725 GRT, built 1930), Napier Star (British, 10116 GRT, built 1927), Neion (Greek, 5241 GRT, built 1918), Opalia (British (tanker), 6195 GRT, built 1938), Sildra (Norwegian (tanker), 7313 GRT, built 1927), Sinnington Court (British, 6910 GRT, built 1928), Standella (British (tanker), 6197 GRT, built 1936), Victor Ross (British (tanker), 12247 GRT, built 1933), Vivi (Norwegian (tanker), 6546 GRT, built 1932) and Yarraville (British (tanker), 8627 GRT, built 1928).
On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).
HMS Penzance was to part company at sunset on the 16th and return to Bermuda.
Around 1100P/21, convoy BHX 43 joined convoy HX 43 in position 41°31'N, 42°32'W. HMS Comorin was then detached to proceed to Halifax. (1)
28 May 1940
Convoy HX 46.
This convoy departed Halifax on 28 May 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Antonios Chandris (Greek, 5866 GRT, built 1918), Asbjorn (British, 4387 GRT, built 1935), Athelchief (British (tanker), 10000 GRT, built 1939), Balmoralwood (British, 5834 GRT, built 1937), Camito (British, 6611 GRT, built 1915), Chr. J. Kampmann (Canadian, 2281 GRT, built 1924), Eastern Star (Norwegian, 5658 GRT, 1920), Geraldine Mary (British, 7244 GRT, built 1924), Holmbury (British, 4566 GRT, built 1925), Indochinois (French, 6966 GRT, built 1939), Ingerfem (British, 3987 GRT, built 1912), Kajak (Estonian, 3234 GRT, built 1902), Leikanger (Norwegian, 4003 GRT, built 1923), Melmore Head (British, 5273 GRT, built 1918), Nailsea Court (British, 4946 GRT, built 1936), Rajahstan (British, 6391 GRT, built 1929), Randa (British, 1555 GRT, built 1930), Trefusis (British, 5299 GRT, built 1918) and Vapper (Estonian, 4543 GRT, built 1913).
The Balmoralwood immediately returned to Halifax when the convoy was forming up due to furnace trouble.
On departure from Halifax the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN) and the destroyer HMCS Saguenay (Cdr. G.R. Miles, RCN).
HMCS Saguenay was to part company with the convoy around 1800Q/29 and then return to Halifax.
Around 1430P/2, in position 41°19'N, 42°55'W, HMS Comorin parted company to return to Halifax. The convoy then continued eastwards without escort.
Around 0800P/3, in position 42°21'N, 39°57'W, Convoy BHX 46 joined convoy HX 46. The following merchant vessels joined the convoy; Adula (British (tanker), 8040 GRT, built 1937), Alfred Olsen (Norwegian (tanker), 8807 GRT, built 1934), Baron Herries (British, 4574 GRT, built 1940), Bassano (British, 4843 GRT, built 1937), Beatus (British, 4885 GRT, built 1925), British Endurance (British (tanker), 8406 GRT, built 1936), British Officer (British (tanker), 6990 GRT, built 1922), Clea (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1938), Diala (British (tanker), 8106 GRT, built 1938), Emma Bakke (Norwegian, 4721 GRT, built 1929), Fenris (Norwegian, 9804 GRT, built 1936), G.C. Brovig (Norwegian (tanker), 9718 GRT, built 1930), Henri Desprez (French, 9805 GRT, built 1932), James J. Maguire (British (tanker), 10525 GRT, built 1939), King John (British, 5228 GRT, built 1928), Mexico (Norwegian (tanker), 3013 GRT, built 1920), Narragansett (British (tanker) 10389 GRT, built 1936), Otina (British (tanker), 6217 GRT, built 1938), Pecten (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Rotorua (British, 10899 GRT, built 1911), San Demetrio (British (tanker), 8073 GRT, built 1938), Saranac (British (tanker), 12049 GRT, built 1918), Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939), Statesman (British, 7939 GRT, built 1923), Tascalusa (British (tanker), 6499 GRT, built 1913), West Isleta (British, 5763 GRT, built 1919) and Winamac (British (tanker), 8621 GRT, built 1926).
The ocean escort of convoy BHX 46, the armed merchant cruiser HMS Aurania (A/Capt. I.W. Whitehorn, RN) also joined convoy HX 46.
During the night of 4/5 June the following merchant vessels dropped out of the convoy, being unable to maintain the convoy's speed; Beatus (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), Mexico (arrived at Weymouth on 13 June) and Vapper (arrived at Liverpool on ?? June).
Around 0700Z/9, in position 49°50'N, 12°35'W, HMS Aurania parted company with the convoy to return to Halixax. Shortly before the local A/S escort had joined. This was made up of the corvette HMS Clarkia (Lt.Cdr. F.J.G. Jones, RNR) and the A/S trawler HMS Huddersfield Town (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) J.G.C. Gibson, RN).
Around 1600A/9, the convoy was split into two sections.
The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Adula (arrived at Swansea on 11 June), Antonios Chandris (arrived at Dublin on 11 June), Asbjorn (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), Camito (arrived in the Clyde on 12 June), Chr. J. Kampmann (arrived at Milford Haven on 10 June), Diala (arrived at Swansea on 11 June), Emma Bakke (arrived in the Clyde on 12 June), Fenris (arrived at Swansea on 12 June), G.C. Brovig (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), Holmbury (arrived at Avonmouth on 11 June), Ingerfem (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), James J. Maguire (arrived at Milford Haven on 11 June), Kajak (arrived at Sharpness on 11 June), Melmore Head (arrived at Dublin on 11 June), Otina (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), Pecten (arrived in the Clyde on 12 June), Randa (arrived at Barrow in Furness on 11 June), San Demetrio (arrived in the Clyde on 12 June), Solfonn (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), Statesman (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June), West Isleta (arrived at Liverpool on 11 June) and Winamac (arrived at Scapa Flow on 13 June). They were escorted by HMS Huddersfield Town which arrived at Milford Haven on 12 June.
The Irish Sea / west coast section was made up of the following merchant vessels; Alfed Olsen (arrived at Weymouth on 12 June), Athelchief (arrived at Brest on 10 June), Baron Herries (arrived at Portsmouth on 12 June), Bassano (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), British Endurance (arrived at Southampton 12 June), British Officer (arrived at Plymouth on 10 June), Clea (arrived at Pauillac on 12 June), Eastern Star (arrived at Weymouth on 12 June), Geraldine Mary (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), Henri Desprez (arrived at Brest on 10 June), Indochinois (arrived at St. Nazaire on 11 June), King John (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), Leikanger (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), Nailsea Court (arrived at Weymouth on 12 June), Narragansett (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), Rajahstan (arrived in the Downs on 12 June), Rotorua (arrived at Weymouth on 12 June), Saranac (arrived at Southampton on 12 June), Tascalusa (arrived at Portsmouth on 12 June) and Trefusis (arrived in the Downs on 12 June). They were escorted by HMS Clarkia which arrived at Dover on 12 June. (2)
24 Jun 1940
Convoy BHX 53
This convoy departed Bermuda on 24 June 1940.
It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arthur F. Corwin (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Athelempress (British (tanker), 8941 GRT, built 1930), Empire Gannet (British, 5630 GRT, built 1919), Katy (Norwegian (tanker), 6825 GRT, built 1931), Maria Stathatos (Greek, 6303 GRT, built 1922), Mataroa (British, 12390 GRT, built 1922), Severn Leigh (British, 5242 GRT, built 1919), Sommerstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5923 GRT, built 1926), Taranaki (British, 10534 GRT, built 1928), Thistlegarth (British, 4747 GRT, built 1929), Thorshavn (Norwegian (tanker), 6869 GRT, built 1930) and Whitford Point (British, 5026 GRT, built 1928).
On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).
Around 1430Q/24, HMS Penzance returned to Bermuda after having been detached from the convoy earlier in the day.
The Arthur F. Corwin arrived at Halifax on 29 June 1940 after having been detached from the convoy [detachement date unknown.]
Around 0800P/30, in position 41°30'N, 44°35'W, convoy BHX 53 merged with convoy HX 53. HMS Comorin did not join convoy HX 53 but set course to proceed to Halifax where she arrived on 2 July 1940.
18 Feb 1941
Convoy SL 66.
This convoy departed Freetown on 18 February 1941 and arrived in U.K. waters on 14 March 1941.
On departure from Freetown the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amberton (British, 5377 GRT, built 1928), Ardenvohr (British, 5025 GRT, built 1940), Benlomond (British, 6630 GRT, built 1922), Benvenue (British, 5920 GRT, built 1927), Berbery (British, 5248 GRT, built 1919), Berhala (Dutch, 6622 GRT, built 1927), Bothnia (British, 2407 GRT, built 1928), Bradglen (British, 4741 GRT, built 1930), British Colony (British (tanker), 6917 GRT, built 1927), British Desteny (British (tanker), 8470 GRT, built 1937), British Power (British (tanker), 8451 GRT, built 1936), British Pride (British (tanker), 7106 GRT, built 1931), British Resolution (British (tanker), 8408 GRT, built 1937), Cape Wrath (British, 4512 GRT, built 1940), Darlington Court (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Egba (British, 4989 GRT, built 1914), Esneh (British, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Etrib (British, 1943GRT, built 1919), Glendene (British, 4412 GRT, built 1929), Glenpark (British, 5136 GRT, built 1939), Gold Shell (British (tanker), 8208 GRT, built 1931), Harpasa (British, 5082 GRT, built 1934), Hjalmar Wessel (British, 1742 GRT, built 1935), Hoogkerk (British, 5132 GRT, built 1911), Kerma (British, 4333 GRT, built 1928), Kingbury (British, 4898 GRT, built 1937), Lord Cochrane (British, 4157 GRT, built 1934), Lynton Grange (British, 5029 GRT, built 1937), Marita (Norwegian, 1931 GRT, built 1919), Meropi (Greek, 4181 GRT, built 1911), Norman Monarch (British, 4718 GRT, built 1937), O.A. Kundsen (Norwegian (tanker), 11007 GRT, built 1938), Ornefjell (British, 1334 GRT, built 1937), Peterston (British, 4680 GRT, built 1925), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), River Afton (British, 5479 GRT, built 1935), Salamis (Norwegian (tanker), 8286 GRT, built 1939), Salvus (British, 4815 GRT, built 1928), Serbino (British, 4099 GRT, built 1919), Sir Ernest Cassel (British, 7739 GRT, built 1910), Sobo (British, 5353 GRT, built 1937), Somme (British, 5265 GRT, built 1919), South Wales (British, 5619 GRT, built 1929), Temple Yard (British, 5205 GRT, built 1937), Toward (British (rescue ship), 1571 GRT, built 1923), Trevorian (British, 4599 GRT, built 1920), Ulla (British, 1575 GRT, built 1930) and Warfield (British, 6070 GRT, built 1917).
[It is possible some of these ships did not sail from Freetown but joined the convoy at sea.]
On departure from Freetown the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Comorin (Capt.(Retd.) J.I. Hallett, DSO, RN).
Around 1345N/3, the light cruiser HMS Kenya (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, RN, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral H.M. Burrough, CB, RN) joined the convoy coming from Gibraltar.
Around 0700N/8, the destroyers HMCS Ottawa (Cdr. E.R. Mainguy, RCN), HMCS Assiniboine (A/Lt.Cdr. J.H. Stubbs, RCN), HMS Churchill (Cdr.(Retd.) G.R. Cousins, RN) and ORP Garland (Lt.Cdr. K.F. Namiesniowski) joined.
Around 1800N/9, the destroyers HMS Wanderer (Cdr. A.F.St.G. Orpen, RN), HMS Witch (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Barnes, RN), escort destroyer HMS Vivien (Lt.Cdr. S.H. Beattie, RN) and the corvettes HMS Nasturtium (Lt.Cdr. J.F.C. Bartley, DSC, RNR), HMS Periwinkle (Lt.Cdr. P.G. MacIver, RNR) and HMS Primrose (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) A. Ayre, RNR).
At 1915Z/9, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy but she rejoined it at 2000A/10 after having been ordered to do so. While absent from the convoy HMS Kenya sighted and engaged a German Focke Wulf aircraft but it was not damaged and disappeared to the east.
At 2000A/11, HMS Kenya parted company with the convoy to proceed to Plymouth.
The convoy arrived in U.K. waters on 14 March 1941.
Sources
- ADM 199/54
- ADM 53/111481 + ADM 53/111482 + ADM 199/49 + ADM 199/53
ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London.