uboat.net

  Front page - Fighting the U-boats - Allied Warships

Follow us on Twitter
@uboatnet

Notable events involving Penzance include:

8 Feb 1940
HMAS Perth (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, RAN) and HMS Dundee (Capt. C.C.A. Allen, RN) are order to remain on patrol near Curacao as information had been received that the German merchant vessels Seattle (7369 GRT, built 1928) and Vancouver (8269 GRT, built 1930) were expected to leave within the next week.

HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN) was also ordered to the Curacao area as was the French armed merchant cruiser Barfleur. The RFA tanker War Brahmin (5545 GRT, built 1921) was ordered to proceed to the Bonaire area so as to be in position to fuel the ships on patrol if needed. (1)

7 May 1940

Convoy BHX 41

This convoy departed Bermuda on 7 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Anglo Norse (British (tanker), 7988 GRT, built 1914), British Reliance (British (tanker), 7000 GRT, built 1928), Brittany (British, 4772 GRT, built 192), Bulysses (British, 7519 GRT, built 1927), Charles Pratt (Panamanian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1916), Conch (British (tanker), 8376 GRT, built 1931), Dalcairn (British, 4608 GRT, built 1927), Daphnella (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1938), Edwy R. Brown (British (tanker), 10455 GRT, built 1938), El Grillo (British (tanker), 7264 GRT, built 1922), Elona (British (tanker), 6192 GRT, built 1936), Eulima (British (tanker), 6207 GRT, built 1937), Housatonic (British (tanker), 5559 GRT, built 1919), Huntingdon (British, 11849 GRT, built 1920), Indianan (British, 5775 GRT, built 1919), Kent (British, 8697 GRT, built 1918), La Estancia (British, 5185 GRT, built 1940), Lacklan (British (tanker), 8670 GRT, built 1929), Middleton (British, 4297 GRT, built 1935), Oropesa (British, 14118 GRT, built 1920), Port Saint John (British, 5668 GRT, built 1938), San Casimiro (British (tanker), 8046 GRT, built 1936), San Conrado (British (tanker), 7982 GRT, built 1936), Scottish Chief (British, 7006 GRT, built 1928) and Trojan Star (British, 9037 GRT, built 1936).

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) tanker Cairndale (8129 GRT, built 1939) was also part of the convoy.

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (A/Capt. E.S.F. Fegen, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was to escort the convoy until sunset on the 7th and then return to Bermuda.

Around 0100Q/10, in position 36°26'N, 55°49'W, the Port Saint John dropped out of the convoy with engine defects. She did not rejoin the convoy and arrived independently at Milford Haven on 19 May.

Around 1900P/13, HMS Jervis Bay parted company with the convoy to return to Bermuda. The ships of the convoy joined convoy HX 41 the following morning around 0830P/14. (2)

11 May 1940

Convoy BHX 42

This convoy departed Bermuda on 11 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Adellen (British (tanker), 7984 GRT, built 1930), Atheltemplar (British (tanker), 8992 GRT, built 1930), Brandanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1924), British Resource (British (tanker), 7209 GRT, built 1931), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), Davisian (British, 6433 GRT, built 1925), Inversuir (British, 9456 GRT, built 1938), King Arthur (British, 5224 GRT, built 1928), Kumasian (British, 4992 GRT, built 1930), Llanover (British, 4959 GRT, built 1928), Pacific Exporter (British, 6734 GRT, built 1928), Pacific Ranger (British, 6865 GRT, built 1929), Petter (Norwegian (tanker), 9109 GRT, built 1935), Pomella (British (tanker), 6766 GRT, built 1937), Rapana (British (tanker), 8017 GRT, built 1935), San Ambrosio (British (tanker), 7410 GRT, built 1935), San Roberto (British (tanker), 5890 GRT, built 1922), Scherazade (French (tanker), 13467 GRT, built 1935), Solstad (Norwegian (tanker), 5952 GRT, built 1927), Sticklestad (Norwegian (tanker), 9349 GRT, built 1938), Strategist (British, 6255 GRT, built 1937) and Vancouver (British (tanker), 5729 GRT, built 1928).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by HMS Rajputana (Capt.(Retd.) F.H. Taylor, DSC, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

Around 2245Q/11, HMS Penzance was detached to return to Bermuda.

Around 1015Q/12, the merchant vessel Calgarolite (British (tanker), 11941 GRT, built 1929) overtook and joined the convoy, having sailed late from Bermuda.

Around 1235P/17, in position 41°46'N, 42°55'E, HMS Ranpura parted company to return to Bermuda. No contact with convoy HX 42 had been made at that time.

Convoy BHX 42 joined convoy HX 42 in the afternoon of the 18th in position 42°57'N, 39°30'W. (3)

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. (4)

19 May 1940

Convoy BHX 44

This convoy departed Bermuda on 19 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Acavus (British (tanker), 8010 GRT, built 1935), Arakaka (British, 2379 GRT, built 1933), Charles Racine (Norwegian (tanker), 9957 GRT, built 1937), Cordelia (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), Dramatist (British, 5443 GRT, built 1920), Europe (Norwegian (tanker), 8371 GRT, built 1934), Goldmouth (British (tanker), 7402 GRT, built 1927), H.H. Rogers (Panamanian (tanker), 8807 GRT, built 1916), Invershannon (British (tanker), 8154 GRT, built 1938), Norman Monarch (British, 7005 GRT, built 1943), Polarsol (Norwegian (tanker), 10022 GRT, built 1939), Pontfield (British (tanker), 8319 GRT, built 1940), Port Melbourne (British, 9142 GRT, built 1914), San Arcadio (British (tanker), 7419 GRT, built 1935) and San Ernesto (British (tanker), 8078 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (A/Capt. E.S.F. Fegen, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was to escort the convoy until sunset on the 19th and then return to Bermuda.

Around 0830P/25, convoy BHX 44 joined convoy HX 44. HMS Jervis Bay then parted company to return to Bermuda. (2)

23 May 1940

Convoy BHX 45

This convoy departed Bermuda on 23 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Beth (Norwegian, 6852 GRT, built 1930), Bradglen (British, 4741 GRT, built 1930), British Commander (British (tanker), 6901 GRT, built 1922), British Dominion (British (tanker), 6983 GRT, built 1928), British Prudence (British (tanker), 8620 GRT, built 1939), Brumaire (French (tanker), 7638 GRT, built 1930), Caprella (British (tanker), 8230 GRT, built 1931), Cliona (British (tanker), 8375 GRT, built 1931), Coya (British, 4954 GRT, built 1919), Cressington Court (British, 4971 GRT, built 1929), Donax (British (tanker), 8036 GRT, built 1938), Edward F. Johnson (British (tanker), 10452 GRT, built 1937), Evoikos (Greek, 4792 GRT, built 1922), Hallanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1928), Hoegh Scout (Norwegian (tanker), 9924 GRT, built 1939), Houston City (British, 4935 GRT, built 1934), Inanda (British, 5985 GRT, built 1925), Inventor (British, 6210 GRT, built 1935), Krossfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9323 GRT, built 1935), Litiopa (Norwegian (tanker), 5311 GRT, built 1917), Lunula (British (tanker), 6363 GRT, built 1927), Lylepark (British, 5186 GRT, built 1929), Moveria (British, 4867 GRT, built 1935), Rangitiki (British, 16698 GRT, built 1928), Ruth Kellogg (British (tanker), 5543 GRT, built 1920), Saintonge (French (tanker), 9386 GRT, built 1936), San Cipriano (British (tanker), 7966 GRT, built 1937), San Eliseo (British (tanker), 8042 GRT, built 1939), San Gabriel (British, 4943 GRT, built 1920), Schuylkill (British (tanker), 8965 GRT, built 1928), Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928), Scottish Standard (British (tanker), 6999 GRT, built 1921), Solsten (Norwegian (tanker), 5379 GRT, built 1929), South America (Norwegian (tanker), 6246 GRT, built 1931), Tamaroa (British, 12405 GRT, built 1922), Thelma (Norwegian (tanker), 8297 GRT, built 1937), Torvanger (Norwegian, 6564 GRT, built 1920), Varanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9305 GRT, built 1925) and Waban (British, 6038 GRT, built 1919).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Rajputana (Capt.(Retd.) F.H. Taylor, DSC, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was to escort the convoy until sunset on 23 May and then return to Bermuda.

At 1912Q/25, in position 35°57'N, 56°50'W, the Scottish Standard dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin and arrived at Portsmouth on 9 or 10 June.

At 1520P/28, in position 40°41'N, 46°08'W, the Saintonge dropped out of the convoy with engine trouble. She did not rejoin and arrived at Brest on 6 June.

By 0830P/29, convoy BHX 45 had joined up with convoy HX 45. HMS Rajputana parted company around 0915P/29 to return to Bermuda. (5)

31 May 1940

Convoy BHX 47

This convoy departed Bermuda on 31 May 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
British Captain (British (tanker), 6968 GRT, built 1923), British Faith (British (tanker), 6955 GRT, built 1928), Capsa (British (tanker), 8229 GRT, built 1931), Diplomat (British, 8240 GRT, built 1921), Egda (Norwegian (tanker), 10050 GRT, built 1939), El Aleto (British (tanker), 7203 GRT, built 1927), Elax (British (tanker), 7403 GRT, built 1927), F.J. Wolfe (British (tanker), 12190 GRT, built 1932), Hoyanger (Norwegian, 4624 GRT, built 1926), Italia (Norwegian (tanker), 9973 GRT, built 1939), Northumberland (British, 11558 GRT, built 1915), Ocatavian (Norwegian, 1345 GRT, built 1938), Regent Panther (British (tanker), 9556 GRT, built 1937), Salacia (British, 5495 GRT, built 1937), San Adolfo (British (tanker), 7365 GRT, built 1935), Saturnus (Swedish, 9964 GRT, buil 1940), Storanger (Norwegian (tanker), 9223 GRT, built 1930), Temple Inn (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Theodoros Coumantaros (Greek, 5875 GRT, built 1917), Thiara (British (tanker), 10364 GRT, built 1939), Ulysses (Dutch, 2655 GRT, built 1918) and Vinemoor (British, 4359 GRT, built 1924).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania (Capt.(Retd.) C.H. Ringrose-Wharton, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

Around 1910Q/31, HMS Penzance parted company with the convoy to return to Bermuda.

Around 1120P/7, HMS Ascania parted company with the convoy after contact with convoy HX 47 had been made.

Convoy BHX 47 then joined convoy HX 47. This was completed around 1430P/7 in position 41°21'N, 42°36'W. (6)

4 Jun 1940

Convoy BHX 48

This convoy departed Bermuda on 4 June 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Benjamin Franklin (Norwegian, 7034 GRT, built 1927), Bente Maersk (British (tanker), 5772 GRT, built 1928), Caledonia (British (tanker), 9892 GRT, built 1936), Capulet (British (tanker), 8190 GRT, built 1932), D.L. Harper (British (tanker), 12223 GRT, built 1933), Eclipse (British (tanker), 9767 GRT, built 1931), G.S. Walden (British (tanker), 10627 GRT, built 1937), Miralda (British (tanker), 8013 GRT, built 1936), Nicolaou Georgios (Greek, 4108 GRT, built 1930), Patella (British (tanker), 7468 GRT, built 1927), Politician (British, 7939 GRT, built 1923), Refast (British (tanker) 5189 GRT, built 1914), Robert F. Hand (British (tanker), 12197 GRT, built 1933), Sourabaya (British (tanker / whale factory ship), 10107 GRT, built 1915) and W.B. Walker (British (tanker), 10468 GRT, built 1935).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay (A/Capt. E.S.F. Fegen, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

Around 1900Q/4, HMS Penzance was detached to return to Bermuda.

Around 1400P/10, Convoy BHX 48 joined convoy HX 48. HMS Jervis Bay parted company around 1520P/4 to proceed to Halifax. (7)

8 Jun 1940

Convoy BHX 49

This convoy departed Bermuda on 8 June 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Athelfoam (British (tanker), 6554 GRT, built 1931), Athellaird (British (tanker), 8999 GRT, built 1930), Augvald (Norwegian, 4811 GRT, built 1920), Barrdale (British, 5072 GRT, built 1925), British Fidility (British (tanker), 8465 GRT, built 1938), British Cincerity (British (tanker), 8538 GRT, built 1939), Cadillac (British (tanker), 12062 GRT, built 1917), Charles F. Meyer (British (tanker), 10516 GRT, built 1938), Collegian (British, 7886 GRT, built 1923), Confield (British, 4956 GRT, built 1940), Cromarty (British, 4974 GRT, built 1936), Director (British, 5107 GRT, built 1926), Eli Knudsen (Norwegian (tanker), 9026 GRT, built 1925), Gallia (Norwegian (tanker), 9974 GRT, built 1939), Glarona (Norwegian (tanker), 9912 GRT, built 1928), Jhelum (British, 4038 GRT, built 1936), Moordrecht (Dutch (tanker), 7493 GRT, built 1930), Port Huon (British, 8021 GRT, built 1927), Regent Lion (British (tanker), 9551 GRT, built 1937), San Felipe (British, 5626 GRT, built 1919), Solarium (British, 6239 GRT, built 1936), Strinda (Norwegian (tanker), 10973 GRT, built 1937), Suderholm (Norwegian (tanker), 4908 GRT, built 1917) and Torborg (Norwegian (tanker), 6042 GRT, built 1921).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Rajputana (Capt.(Retd.) F.H. Taylor, DSC, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was to part company around sunset on the 8th and then return to Bermuda.

Around 1320P/13, 40°01'N, 46°54'W, HMS Rajputana parted company with the convoy to return to Bermuda.

Convoy BHX 49 joined convoy HX 49 later that afternoon. (8)

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.

22 Jul 1940

Convoy BHX 60.

This convoy departed Bermuda on 22 July 1940.

It was made up of the following merchant vessels; Amastra (British (tanker), 8031 GRT, built 1935), Anglo Peruvian (British, 5457 GRT, built 1926), Athelviscount (British (tanker), 8882 GRT, built 1929), Boka (Panamanian, 5399 GRT, built 1920), Catrine (British, 5218 GRT, built 1940), Clea (British (tanker), 8028 GRT, built 1938), Custodian (British, 5881 GRT, built 1928), Dalfonn (British (tanker), 9860 GRT, built 1928), Davila (British (tanker), 8053 GRT, built 1938), El Mirlo (British (tanker), 8092 GRT, built 1930), Explorer (British, 6235 GRT, built 1935), Indora (British, 6622 GRT, built 1938), Rosewood (British (tanker), 5989 GRT, built 1931), Scottish Heather (British (tanker), 7087 GRT, built 1928) and Solfonn (Norwegian (tanker), 9925 GRT, built 1939).

On departure from Bermuda the convoy was escorted by the armed merchant cruiser HMS Alaunia (Capt.(Retd.) H.J. Woodward, DSO and Bar, RN) and the sloop HMS Penzance (Cdr. A.J. Wavish, RN).

HMS Penzance was only with the convoy briefly and soon returned to Bermuda presumably arriving on 23 July.

Around 1000P/27, in position 40°53'N, 46°17'W, the convoy merged with convoy HX 60 coming from Halifax. HMS Alaunia then parted company to return to Bermuda where she arrived around 0900Q/30. (9)

As an Amazon Associate uboat.net earns a commission from qualifying purchases.