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Notable events involving Fitzroy (ii) include:

27 Mar 1944

Convoy JW 58.

This convoy departed Loch Ewe on 27 March 1944 and arrived in the Kola Inlet on 4 April 1944.

On departure the convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; Andrew Carnegie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Arunah S. Abell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Barbara Frietchie (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Benjamin H. Latrobe (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Benjamin Schlesinger (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Charles Gordon Curtis (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Charles Henderson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Dolabella (British, 8142 GRT, built 1939), Edward P. Alexander (American, 7201 GRT, built 1943), Empire Prowess (British, 7058 GRT, built 1943), Fort Columbia (British, 7155 GRT, built 1942), Fort Hall (British, 7157 GRT, built 1943), Fort Kullyspell (British, 7190 GRT, built 1943), Fort Vercheres (British, 7128 GRT, built 1942), Fort Yukon (British, 7153 GRT, built 1943), Francis Scott Key (American, 7191 GRT, built 1941), Francis Vigo (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George Gale (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), George M. Cohan (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), George T. Angell (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944), Grace Abbott (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Hawkins Fudske (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Henry Villard (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), James Smith (American, 7181 GRT, built 1942), John B. Lennon (American, 7198 GRT, built 1943), John Carver (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John Davenport (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), John McDonogh (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joseph N. Nocollet (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joshua Thomas (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Joyce Kilmer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Julien Poydras (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), Lacklan (British (tanker), 8670 GRT, built 1929), Morris Hillquit (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), Nicholas Biddle (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Noreg (Norwegian (tanker), 7605 GRT, built 1931), Pierre S. Dupont (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), Thomas Sim Lee (American, 7191 GRT, built 1942), Townsend Harris (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), W.R. Grace (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William D. Byron (American, 7210 GRT, built 1944), William Matson (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943), William McKinley (American, 7200 GRT, built 1943), William Moultrie (American, 7177 GRT, built 1942), William Pepper (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and William S. Thayer (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943).

The rescue vessel Rathlin (British, 1600 GRT, built 1936) was also with the convoy.

On departure from Loch Ewe the convoy was escorted by the destroyers HMS Westcott (Cdr.(Retd.) H. Lambton, RN), HMS Whitehall (Lt.Cdr. P.J. Cowell, DSC, RN), HMS Wrestler (Lt.Cdr. R.W.B. Lacon, DSC, RN), HMS Inconstant (Lt.Cdr J.H. Eaden, DSC and Bar, RN), minesweepers Rattlesnake (Lt.Cdr. A.E. Coles, RD, RNR), Orestes (Lt.Cdr. A.W.R. Adams, RN), HMS Onyx (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C.C.L. Gaussen, RNVR) and the corvettes HMS Bluebell (Lt. G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR), HMS Honeysuckle (T/Lt. J.A. Wright, RNR), HMS Lotus (Lt. C.S. Thomas, RNR), HMS Rhododendron (T/Lt. O.B. Medley, RNVR) and HMS Starwort (Lt. A.H. Kent, RNR).

On 28 March 1944, the light cruisers HMS Diadem (Capt. E.G.A. Clifford, RN, flying the flag of flying the flag of Rear-Admiral F.H.G. Dalrymple-Hamilton, CB, RN), USS Milwaukee (T/Capt. C.F. Fielding, USN), escort carriers HMS Activity (Capt. G. Willoughby, RN), HMS Tracker (A/Capt. J.H. Huntley, RN) and the destroyers HMS Venus (Cdr. J.S.M. Richardson DSO, RN), HMS Scorpion (Lt.Cdr. W.S. Clouston, RN), HMS Serapis (Lt.Cdr. E.L. Jones, DSC, RN) and HNoMS Stord (Lt.Cdr. S.V. Storheill) departed Scapa Flow to join the convoy which they did on 29 March.

The sloops HMS Starling (Capt. F.J. Walker, CB, DSO and 2 Bars, RN), HMS Wild Goose (Lt.Cdr. D.E.G. Wemyss, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Whimbrel (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Moore, DSC, RNR), HMS Wren (Lt.Cdr. S.R.J. Woods, RNR) and HMS Magpie (Lt.Cdr. R.S. Abram, RN) departed Scapa Flow also on 28 March to join the convoy which they too did on 29 March.

On 29 March 1944, the destroyers HMS Saumarez (Capt. P.G.L. Cazalet, DSC, RN), HMS Onslow (Capt. J.A. McCoy, DSO, RN), HMS Oribi (Lt.Cdr. J.C.A. Ingram, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Offa (Lt.Cdr. R.F. Leonard, RN), HMS Obedient (Lt.Cdr. H. Unwin, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Opportune (Cdr. J. Lee-Barber, DSO and Bar, RN), HMS Orwell (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Hodges, DSO, RN), HMS Impulsive (Lt.Cdr. P. Bekenn, RN), HMS Beagle (Lt.Cdr. N.R. Murch, RN), HMS Boadicea (Lt.Cdr. F.W. Hawkins, RN), HMS Keppel (Cdr. I.J. Tyson, DSC, RD, RNR) and HMS Walker (Lt.Cdr. A.N. Rowell, RN) departed Skaalefiord, Iceland and joined the convoy.

On 29 March 1944, the German submarine U-961 was sunk near the convoy by HMS Starling.

Also on 29 March, two more merchant ships joined the convoy, these were the Gilbert Stuart (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) and John T. Holt (American, 7176 GRT, built 1943) coming from Reykjavik, Iceland. The merchant vessel Eloy Alfaro (American, 7176 GRT, built 1944) had also sailed with them but had to return and proceeded to Seidisfjord before she could join the convoy due to ice damage. She arrived at Seidisfjord on the 30th. These ships were escorted by the frigate HMS Fitzroy (Lt. C.D.C. McNeil, RNVR) and the minesweepers HMS Chamois (T/A/Lt.Cdr. D.P. Richardson, RNVR) and HMS Chance (T/Lt. P.P. Lees, RNVR). These escorts did not join the convoy.

Also on 29 March the minesweepers HMS Rattlesnake, HMS Onyx, HMS Orestes and the corvette HMS Starwort parted company with the convoy. The minesweepers proceeded to Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands arriving there later the same day. HMS Starwort proceeded to Londonderry arriving the on the 30th.

On 30 March four German shadowing aircraft were shot down by fighters from the escort carriers which themselves lost two aircraft.

On 31 March the German submarine U-673 was damaged by HMS Beagle and aircraft from HMS Tracker.

On 2 April two German shadowing aircraft were shot down by fighters from the escort carriers. Also the German submarine U-360 was sunk by Hedgehog attack from HMS Keppel.

On 3 April the German submarine U-288 was sunk by aircraft from the escort carriers.

ON 4 April, the convoy (39 ships) was split into two sections, one proceeded to the Kola Inlet arriving later the same day with the original escort. The other (with 10 ships), with a local escort which joined on this day to the White Sea where it arrived on the 6th. This local escort was made up of the Russian destroyers Gremyashchiy, Razumniy, Razyarenniy and Valerian Kyubishev.

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Distant cover for this convoy was provided by a battleforce known as ' Force 1 ', it departed Scapa Flow around 1200A/30 and was made up of the battleships HMS Duke of York (Capt. G.H.E. Russell, RN, flying the flag of Admiral B.A. Fraser, GCB, KBE, RN), HMS Anson (Capt. E.D.B. McCarthy, DSO and Bar, RN flying the flag of Vice-Admiral H.R. Moore, KCB, DSO, CVO, RN), aircraft carrier HMS Victorious (Capt. M.M. Denny, CB, CBE, RN), light cruiser HMS Belfast (Capt. F.R. Parham, DSO, RN) and the destroyers HMS Onslaught (Cdr. the Hon. A. Pleydell-Bouverie, RN), HMS Javelin (Lt.Cdr. P.B.N. Lewis, DSC, RN), ORP Piorun (Kmdr.ppor. (Cdr.) T. Gorazdowski), HMCS Algonquin (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Piers, DSC, RCN) and HMCS Sioux (A/Lt.Cdr. E.E.G. Boak, RCN).

Around 0250A/31, the destroyers HMS Milne (Capt. I.M.R. Campbell, DSO, RN), HMS Marne (Lt.Cdr. P.A.R. Withers, DSO, RN), HMS Matchless (Lt.Cdr. E.N. Walmsley, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Meteor (Lt.Cdr. D.J.B. Jewitt, RN), HMS Undaunted (Lt.Cdr. A.A. Mackenzie, RD, RNR) and HMS Ursa (Cdr. D.B. Wyburd, DSC, RN) joined coming from Skaalefjord, Faeroer Islands.

Around 0340A/31, the original destroyer screen were detached to Skaalefjord arriving there later the same day.

On 2 April ' Force 1 ' proceeded to join ' Force 2 ' coming from Scapa Flow for the upcoming Operation Tungsten. (1)

12 Sep 1944
Around 1545B/12, HMS Rodney (Capt. R.O. Fitzroy, RN), departed Plymouth for Scapa Flow. She is being escorted by the destroyers HMS Skate (Lt. J.H. Macalister, RNVR), HMS Scimitar (Lt. P. Archer-Shee, RNVR) and HMS Saladin (T/A/Lt.Cdr. P.G.C. King, RNVR).

At 0740B/13, the escort was relieved by the frigates HMS Fitzroy (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Deane (Lt. V.A. Hickson, DSO, RN).

HMS Rodney arrived at Scapa Flow around 1445B/14. Before entering gunnery exercises had been carried out. (2)

10 Oct 1944
HMS Torbay (Lt. C.P. Norman, DSO, RN) proceeded from the Clyde area to Larne where she conducted A/S exercises off Larne with ships from the 21st Escort Group which was made up of the frigates HMS Byron (Lt.Cdr. K.G.L. Southcombe, RN), HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN, Senior Officer of the group), HMS Deane (Lt. V.A. Hickson, DSO, RN), HMS Fitzroy (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).

On completion of the exercises HMS Torbay entered Larne harbour while the frigates arrived at Belfast later the same day. (3)

4 Dec 1944
HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with HMS Fitzroy (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR). (4)

5 Dec 1944
HMS Ultimatum (Lt. W.H. Kett, DSC, RNR) conducted A/S exercises off Fishguard with HMS Fitzroy (A/Lt.Cdr. A.J. McCullogh Miller, DSC, RNVR). (4)

5 Feb 1945

Convoy CU 57.

This convoy departed New York on 5 February 1945.

On departure it was made up of the following ships (New York Section);
Alden Besse (American, 8258 GRT, built 1944), Arawa (British, 14462 GRT, built 1922), Athos II (French, 15276 GRT, built 1927), Cape Corwin (American, 5124 GRT, built 1943), Cape Nome (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Carnifex Ferry (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1945), Chatterton Hill (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Chickamauga (American (tanker), 10195 GRT, built 1943), Esso Camden (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Examiner (American, 6737 GRT, built 1942), Fort Fetterman (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Fort Stevens (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Grand River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Hubbardton (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Java (Dutch, 9250 GRT, built 1939), Karsten Wang (Norwegian (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944), Marine Eagle (American, 11500 GRT, built 1943), Marine Panther (American, 11758 GRT, built 1944), Mobile Bay (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Ocala Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Pit River (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1945), Rangitata (British, 16737 GRT, built 1929), Raphael Semmes (American, 6165 GRT, built 1942), Rosemont (Panamanian, 4956 GRT, built 1938), Sandy Creek (American (tanker), 10297 GRT, built 1944), Santa Rosa (American, 9135 GRT, built 1932), The Yakima (American (tanker), 10172 GRT, built 1944), Yellow Tevern (American (tanker), 10296 GRT, built 1944) and York (American (tanker), 10448 GRT, built 1943).

The following ships were also part of the convoy; escort carrier (in an aircraft ferry role) HMS Pursuer (A/Capt. H.R. Graham, DSO, DSC, RN) and naval troop transport USS Hermitage (23254 GRT, built 1925) (T/Capt. J.T. Talbert, USN).

On departure from New York the convoy was escorted by the destroyers USS McDougal (T/Cdr. E.W. Logsdon, USN, with COMTASKGR 61.5, T/Capt. E.D. Poole, USN, on board), USS Simpson (Lt.Cdr. L.W. Sedgwick, USNR) and the destroyer escorts USS Robert E. Peary (Lt. D. McKinlay, Jr., USNR), USS Blair (Lt. W. Gadsby, Jr., USNR) and USS Sturtevant (Lt.Cdr. J.M. Mertz, USNR).

On 6 February the Boston Section of the convoy departed that place, it was made up of the following ship;
Brazil (American, 20614 GRT, built 1929), Cape Borda (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Cape Race (American, 5124 GRT, built 1944), Excelsior (American, 6737 GRT, built 1943), Kokomo Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1945), Oneida Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Pachaug Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944), Sea Tiger (American, 7886 GRT, built 1944) and Thomas H. Barry (American, 11250 GRT, built 1930).

On departure from New York this section was escorted by the escort destroyers USS Jacob Jones (Lt. Frank L. Sullivan, USNR, with COMCORTDIV 3, T/Cdr. C.W. Musgrave, USN, on board), USS Brough (Lt. M.A. Stein, USNR), USS Roy O. Hale (Lt. H.C. Pogue, Jr., USNR) and USS Dale W. Peterson (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Bigelow, USNR).

Around 1015Q/7, the Boston Section of the convoy joined the main convoy. USS Simpson then parted company to proceed to Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Around 1800O/9, the merchant vessel Waiwera (British, 12435 GRT, built 1934) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal.

Around 0950O/10, the destroyer escorts USS Hammann (Lt.Cdr. C.L. Gould, USNR) and USS Martin H. Ray (Lt. H.V. Tucker, Jr., USNR), which had been delayed in sailing with the convoy due to the need for repairs, joined the convoy.

Around 1915N/11, the merchant vessels Hororata (British, 13945 GRT, built 1942) and Westerley Victory (American, 7607 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from the Panama Canal and Horta, Azores respectively.

Around 1530N/12, the merchant vessel Empire Rawlinson (British, 9912 GRT, built 1944) joined the convoy coming from Ascension.

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Around 1700N/12, the Irish Sea / west coast section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vessels;
Arawa, Carnifex Ferry, Chatteron Hill, Empire Rawlinson, Esso Camden, Fort Stevens, Grand River, Hororata, Mobile Bay, Pit River, Rangitata, Sandy Creek, The Yakima, Waiwera and York. HMS Pursuer was also part of this section. They were escorted by USS Jacob Jones, USS Hammann, USS Robert E. Peary, USS Brough and USS Roy O. Hale.

Around 1245Z/13, the merchant vessel Empire Grace (British, 13478 GRT, built 1942) joined the Irish Sea / west coast section. She came from the Panama Canal.

Around 1645A/15, ' Force 33 ' (21st Escort Group) reinforced the escort. This were the frigates HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Byron (Lt. J.B. Burfield, DSC, RN), HMS Deane (T/Lt.Cdr. F. Brock, RCNVR), HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN).

Around 1730A/15, HMS Redmill was detached for other escort duties.

Around 1945A/15, ' Force 37 ' (31st Escort group) joined and took over from ' Force 33 ' which then parted company. ' Force 37 ' was made up of the corvettes HMS Berkeley Castle (Cdr. N.W. Duck, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Carisbrooke Castle (T/Lt. W.H. Forster, RNR), HMS Dumbarton Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. R.C. Heron, RNVR) and HMS Lancaster Castle (T/A/Lt.Cdr. W.S. Joliffe, RNR).

Around 2140A/15, the Esso Camden parted company to proceed to the Clyde. USS Brough went with her as escort. They arrived in the Clyde the following morning.

Around 2225A/15, HMS Pursuer was detached to Belfast Lough where she arrived around an hour later.

Around 0200A/16, ' Force 37 ' parted company having been relieved by the 19th Escort Group which was made up of the frigate HMS Loch Shin (Cdr. J.P. de W. Kitcat, RN), HMS Loch Insh (T/A/Lt.Cdr. E.W.C. Dempster, RNVR), HMS Anguilla (T/A/Lt.Cdr. C. Morrison-Payne, RNVR), HMS Cotton (Lt.Cdr. I.W.T. Beloe, RN) and HMS Goodall (Lt.Cdr. J.V. Fulton, RNVR).

Around 0300A/16, the Bristol Channel section of the convoy parted company. This was made up of the following merchant vessels; Arawa, Chatterton Hill, Empire Grace, Fort Stevens and Pit River. They all arrived at Avonmouth on 16 / 17 February 1945. USS Robert E. Peary and USS Roy O. Hale went with them as escorts and they arrived at Cardiff in the evening of 16 February. This section of the convoy was supported by ships of the ' 25th Escort Group ' from 0700A/16 until the vicinity of Milford Haven. The 25th Escort Group was made up of the frigates HMCS Orkney (A/Cdr. V. Browne, RCNR), HMCS La Hulloise (Lt.Cdr. J. Brock, RCNVR), HMCS Strathadam (A/Lt.Cdr. H.L. Quinn, DSC, RCNVR) and HMCS Thedford Mines (Lt. J.A.R. Allan, DSC, RCNVR).

The remaining ships of the Irish Sea / west coast section arrived off the Bar light ship off Liverpool around 1030A/16 and the ships then started to enter the harbour.

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The remaining ships made up the Channel / east coast section.

Around 1200A/15, the destroyers HMS Faulknor (Cdr. D.E. Holland-Martin, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN), HMCS Iroquois (Capt. K.F. Adams, RCN) and escort destroyers HMS Tanatside (Cdr. B.J. de St. Croix, DSC, RN) and HMS Brissenden (Lt. D.D.E. Vivian, DSC, RN) joined.

Around 0355A/16, the Java suffered a steering defect and collided with the Westerly Victory. HMS Tanatside was ordered to standby them. They arrived at Plymouth later on the 16th. Java being towed into port by the rescue tug HMRT Allegiance.

Around 0730A/16, the Fort Fetterman and Yellow Tavern were detached to Weymouth Bay where they arrived later the same day.

Around 1000A/16, HMS Faulknor, HMCS Iroquois and HMS Brissenden parted company after the destroyer HMS Vidette (T/A/Lt.Cdr. G.S. Wooley, RNVR), frigates HMS Hargood (Cdr. P.G. MacIver, DSO, RD, RNR), HMS Kingsmill (Lt. G.H. Cook, RN) and L'Escarmouche joined.

Around 1400A/16, the ' London ' Section of the convoy parted company. This section was made up of the following merchant vesssels;
Chicamauga, Hubbardton and Karsten Wang. HMS Vidette went with them as escort.

The remaining ships arrived in Le Havre Roads in the evening of 16 February. (5)

27 Mar 1945
German U-boat U-722 was sunk in the North Atlantic near the Hebrides, in position 57°09'N, 06°55'W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Byron (Lt. J. Burfield, DSC, RN).

8 Apr 1945
German U-boat U-1001 was sunk in the Atlantic south-west of Land's End, in position 49°19'N, 10°23'W, by depth charges from the British frigates HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), and HMS Byron (Lt. J. Burfield, RN).

23 Apr 1945
At Loch Alsh, HMS Trespasser (Lt. L.E. Herrick, DSC, RN) and HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. L.N.A. Jewell, DSC, MBE, RN) conducted A/S exercises with HMS Philante (Cdr. M.J. Evans, OBE, RN) and ships from Escort Group 23 which were most likely the following; HMS Conn (Lt.Cdr. R. Hart, DSC and Bar, RN), HMS Byron (Lt. J. Burfield, RN), HMS Deane (A/Lt.Cdr. E.L. Cook, DSC, RN), HMS Fitzroy (Lt.Cdr. O.G. Stuart, RCNVR), HMS Redmill (Lt. J.R.A. Denne, RN) and HMS Rupert (Lt. P.C.S. Black, RN). (6)

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