HMS BERMUDA 1939 - 1943
This new Royal Navy cruiser is brought to life by her Ship's Company when she commissions on Wednesday 5th of August 1942 at John Browns Clydebank Shipyard
This new Royal Navy cruiser is brought to life by her Ship's Company when she commissions on Wednesday 5th of August 1942 at John Browns Clydebank Shipyard
The 'Crown Colony' (aka 'Colony'/'Fiji') Class cruisers were designed to comply with the 8000 tons limit defined by the 1935 London Naval Treaty.
When, on Thursday the 30th of November 1939, the first piece of steel of this one - Yard Number 568 - was placed on the blocks at John Brown's winter was setting in and so too was the now 12 weeks old Second World War. As if the usual shipbuilding hazards and weather were not enough the Clydeside shipbuilders and their families would now have the added risk of enemy air attacks. Aircraft overhead always caused disruption but on the night of the 13th/14th of March 1941 Clydebank was 'Blitzed'. When daylight came it became apparent that virtually all the town's buildings were either destroyed or damaged. More than 500 people were reportedly killed and some 40,000 of the towns total estimated 47,000 population had to be moved elsewhere on the 14th. Despite that work on the ship progressed and she was launched by HRH Princess Elizabeth on Thursday the 11th of September 1941. Ninety-three weeks had passed since the keel was laid.
A further 47 weeks work made her ready for the transition from Yard Number 568 to Her Majesty's Ship BERMUDA and she commissioned into the Royal Navy on Wednesday the 5th of August 1942.
HMS BERMUDA was now the 'home' of almost 1000 sailors who were going to war and each one of them had to get the ship's equipments and idiosyncrasies under their skin and quickly - their lives depended upon it!
AUGUST 1942
Wednesday 5th: HMS BERMUDA commissioned
Harbour Trials had progressed well before Captain T H Back, Commanding Officer, HMS BERMUDA first wrote in his Night Order Book (NOB):-
Friday 14th: 4 Hours notice (for steam to get underway). If Air Raid ring me and send boat to pick me up at Helensburgh
Friday 21st: ASDIC, No paravanes after Gate out
Monday 24th: Vickers Rep. expected, 0845 Shorten in (cable ready to weigh anchor), One Aircraft may fly
Tuesday 25th: Make sure I awake when called as I often go to sleep again. (Ship bound Scapa Flow)
The record to and including February 1943 here relies substantially upon Admiralty 'Pink Lists'. They - 'Secret' when compiled of course - record the location of each ship at intervals of approximately four days. That said, it is reasonable to expect that where the listed location remains unchanged an active ship may have departed and returned, perhaps a number of times, within the intervening days. Supplementary information obtained elsewhere is added in parenthesis.
Additionally the first-hand account from Sub Lieutenant (Engineer) Edwin (Eddie) Drew describes life in HMS BERMUDA from commissioning to mid-1944 including the North African invasion. See Index above ('A Lt(E)'s War 1942-44')
21 August 1942 CLYDE*
24 August 1942 Clyde
28 August 1942 Arr Scapa 26/8 (US Task Force 99 (Incl USS MISSOURI) arrived Scapa Flow on temporary attachment to Home Fleet
04 September 1942 Scapa (BERMUDA spent September in and out of Scapa Flow training and exercising the ship's company)
07 September 1942 Scapa
11 September 1942 Scapa .
14 September 1942 Scapa
18 September 1942 Scapa
21 September 1942 Scapa
25 September 1942 Scapa
28 September 1942 Scapa
02 October 1942 Scapa
05 October 1942 Scapa
09 October 1942 Scapa
12 October 1942 Scapa
16 October 1942 Left Scapa 14/10* (Formally accepted into 10th Cruiser Sqdn then detached - arrived Clyde Greenock 15th)
19 October 1942 Clyde
23 October 1942 Clyde (22nd (NOB) - High Angle 4", Bombardment 6" (guns), Both aircraft Navigation exercise, No Officers, Ratings, Boats to be left behind in case we don't return)
26 October 1942 Clyde
30 October 1942 Arr Gibraltar 29/10
(October 1942. Support for Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch). Other ships of the Home Fleet that sailed from Scapa Flow to Gibraltar included Battleships HMS NELSON, RODNEY, Battlecruiser RENOWN, Aircraft Carriers VICTORIOUS, FORMIDABLE, FURIOUS, Cruisers ARGONAUT, BERMUDA, SIRIUS and a screen of 17 Destroyers)
(3rd November - (NOB) - From Gibraltar follow FORMIDABLE 5 cables (0.5nm), NELSON in company)
06 November 1942 Arr Gib 29/10
09 November 1942 W Med Force H
13 November 1942 W Med Force H (11th (NOB) - Watch for UBoats, with VICTORIOUS)
16 November 1942 W Med Force H
20 November 1942 W Med Force H (NOB) - Be ready to slip 0600 21st
23 November 1942 W Med Force H
27 November 1942 W Med Force H
29 November 1942 W Med Force H
30 November 1942 W Med Force H (30th & 1st (NOB) - Keep 4 cables astern of STRATHAIRD (Troopship))
07 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
14 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
18 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
21 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12 (During Christmas period BERMUDA was at sea on 23rd and 27th)
25 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
28 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
Wednesday 5th: HMS BERMUDA commissioned
Harbour Trials had progressed well before Captain T H Back, Commanding Officer, HMS BERMUDA first wrote in his Night Order Book (NOB):-
Friday 14th: 4 Hours notice (for steam to get underway). If Air Raid ring me and send boat to pick me up at Helensburgh
Friday 21st: ASDIC, No paravanes after Gate out
Monday 24th: Vickers Rep. expected, 0845 Shorten in (cable ready to weigh anchor), One Aircraft may fly
Tuesday 25th: Make sure I awake when called as I often go to sleep again. (Ship bound Scapa Flow)
The record to and including February 1943 here relies substantially upon Admiralty 'Pink Lists'. They - 'Secret' when compiled of course - record the location of each ship at intervals of approximately four days. That said, it is reasonable to expect that where the listed location remains unchanged an active ship may have departed and returned, perhaps a number of times, within the intervening days. Supplementary information obtained elsewhere is added in parenthesis.
Additionally the first-hand account from Sub Lieutenant (Engineer) Edwin (Eddie) Drew describes life in HMS BERMUDA from commissioning to mid-1944 including the North African invasion. See Index above ('A Lt(E)'s War 1942-44')
21 August 1942 CLYDE*
24 August 1942 Clyde
28 August 1942 Arr Scapa 26/8 (US Task Force 99 (Incl USS MISSOURI) arrived Scapa Flow on temporary attachment to Home Fleet
04 September 1942 Scapa (BERMUDA spent September in and out of Scapa Flow training and exercising the ship's company)
07 September 1942 Scapa
11 September 1942 Scapa .
14 September 1942 Scapa
18 September 1942 Scapa
21 September 1942 Scapa
25 September 1942 Scapa
28 September 1942 Scapa
02 October 1942 Scapa
05 October 1942 Scapa
09 October 1942 Scapa
12 October 1942 Scapa
16 October 1942 Left Scapa 14/10* (Formally accepted into 10th Cruiser Sqdn then detached - arrived Clyde Greenock 15th)
19 October 1942 Clyde
23 October 1942 Clyde (22nd (NOB) - High Angle 4", Bombardment 6" (guns), Both aircraft Navigation exercise, No Officers, Ratings, Boats to be left behind in case we don't return)
26 October 1942 Clyde
30 October 1942 Arr Gibraltar 29/10
(October 1942. Support for Allied landings in North Africa (Operation Torch). Other ships of the Home Fleet that sailed from Scapa Flow to Gibraltar included Battleships HMS NELSON, RODNEY, Battlecruiser RENOWN, Aircraft Carriers VICTORIOUS, FORMIDABLE, FURIOUS, Cruisers ARGONAUT, BERMUDA, SIRIUS and a screen of 17 Destroyers)
(3rd November - (NOB) - From Gibraltar follow FORMIDABLE 5 cables (0.5nm), NELSON in company)
06 November 1942 Arr Gib 29/10
09 November 1942 W Med Force H
13 November 1942 W Med Force H (11th (NOB) - Watch for UBoats, with VICTORIOUS)
16 November 1942 W Med Force H
20 November 1942 W Med Force H (NOB) - Be ready to slip 0600 21st
23 November 1942 W Med Force H
27 November 1942 W Med Force H
29 November 1942 W Med Force H
30 November 1942 W Med Force H (30th & 1st (NOB) - Keep 4 cables astern of STRATHAIRD (Troopship))
07 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
14 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
18 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
21 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12 (During Christmas period BERMUDA was at sea on 23rd and 27th)
25 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
28 December 1942 Arr Scapa 4/12
The naval 6" gun of which BERMUDA had twelve. (Top) Breech mechanism with barrel rifling illustrated. (Bottom) The other end of the barrel with a shell and propellant.
JANUARY 1943
01 January 1943 Left Scapa 31/12 (Response to German HIPPER and LUTZOW + attack on Convoy JW51B). (See HMS OBDURATE pages for details of Battle of Barents Sea). 04 January 1943 At sea (Support cover Convoy RA51 for Loch Ewe)
08 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
11 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
16 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
18 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
22 January 1943 At sea (Cover Convoy JW52 to Kola Inlet - Murmansk with GLASGOW)
25 January 1943 At sea (Cover Convoy JW52 to Kola Inlet - Murmansk with GLASGOW)
30 January 1943 Murmansk (with Glasgow)
FEBRUARY 1943
01 February 1943 Left Murmansk 30/1 Cover Convoy RA52 for Loch Ewe
05 February 1943 Arr Scapa 4/2
08 February 1943 At sea for Hvalfiord
12 February 1943 Scapa
15 February 1943 Scapa
19 February 1943 Scapa
22 February 1943 Scapa
26 February 1943 Scapa
01 January 1943 Left Scapa 31/12 (Response to German HIPPER and LUTZOW + attack on Convoy JW51B). (See HMS OBDURATE pages for details of Battle of Barents Sea). 04 January 1943 At sea (Support cover Convoy RA51 for Loch Ewe)
08 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
11 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
16 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
18 January 1943 Arr Scapa 4/1
22 January 1943 At sea (Cover Convoy JW52 to Kola Inlet - Murmansk with GLASGOW)
25 January 1943 At sea (Cover Convoy JW52 to Kola Inlet - Murmansk with GLASGOW)
30 January 1943 Murmansk (with Glasgow)
FEBRUARY 1943
01 February 1943 Left Murmansk 30/1 Cover Convoy RA52 for Loch Ewe
05 February 1943 Arr Scapa 4/2
08 February 1943 At sea for Hvalfiord
12 February 1943 Scapa
15 February 1943 Scapa
19 February 1943 Scapa
22 February 1943 Scapa
26 February 1943 Scapa
Cheerful, Cold and Icy sums up the above pictures sent by Alan Broughton (see An AB/LS's war 42-46). Top left: (L-R) C.O. Captain Back, OOW Lieutenant Kidd and Navigating Officer Lt Cdr J Stirling in the Arctic c.1943
MARCH 1943
Monday 1st: At Anchor A2 Berth Scapa Flow, 0750 HMS CARLISLE out, AM Action Damage Control Parties (DCP), 1000 Walrus aircraft hoisted out, 1035 Weighed starboard anchor, 1330 Supply stores and ammunition arrived, 1545 HMS Kenya in, 1840 Darken ship, Anchor watches overnight in SW 7-8 wind.
Tuesday 2nd: 1230 Special Sea Dutymen (SSD), 1300 Action Director Control Party (DCP), 1339 Passed Hoxa Gate out, 1804 Passed Gate in 2230, CARLISLE and NEWFOUNDLAND in.
Wednesday 3rd: 0630 Carrier FURIOUS out, 0925 Walrus hoisted in, 1015 Cable party mustered and underway, 1115 RDF calibration firings 1315 Cable Party mustered, 1400 Anchored, 2000 FURIOUS out.
Thursday 4th: No's 1 & 2 Platoons draw equipment, 0805 NEWFOUNDLAND and UGANDA out, AM Provisioning ship, 1145 Captain to FURIOUS, 1650 Embarked Walrus, Platoons returned to ship, 1830 Assumed Anti-aircraft guardship, 2100 Rounds.
Friday 5th: 0725 SSD closed up, 0830 Action DCP, 0908 Passed Hoxa Gate out, 1225 Opened fire to port to 1240, 1340 1st Walrus launched, 1405 2nd Walrus launched, 1500 One 'enemy' shadower shot down, 1700 2nd Part of Port Watch to AA Cruising Stations, 1900 Zig-zagging in 1.5 mls visibility, 2100 Exercises with CARLISLE
Saturday 6th: 0115 Sole Skerry Light Bearing 270°, 0215 Zig-Zag No15 Mean Course 335° Speed 16 kts, 0741 Passed Gate in and to anchor, 0850 KENYA underway out, 1130 Vice Admiral 2 aboard to 1155, 1200 Storeship ROVER alongside, 1430 Diver down Port side - Recovered 1615, 1825 Battleship KING GEORGE VI in
Sunday 7th: 1005 Draught: Forward 19'5"; Aft 21'11", 1020 Action DCP, 1046 Passed Gate out, 1050 Streamed Paravanes, AM/PM Day Action Stations exercised, 1436 Cape Wrath abeam, O/N Night Action Stations exercised
Monday 8th: 0700 Dawn Action Stations, AM/PM Low Angle Defence exercises
Tuesday 9th: 0200 Vis 1.5 mls Speed 17, Various exercises incl ZZ Speed 14-18 kts
Wednesday 10th: 0630 Call the hands, 1045 Took station on Battleship ANSON - Special ZZ, 1743 Passed Gate at Hvalfiord to anchor in A3, 1905 Oiler BELCOL alongside, 2200 Close Range weapons at 10 minutes notice
Thursday 11th: 0850 Both Watches on Quarterdeck for Physical Training, 1200 Dinner, 1300 Landed Libertymen
Friday 12th: 0915 Both Watches plus Gunnery & Torpedo training, 1830 Roman Catholic Chaplain onboard for Mass, 2345 At 10 minutes notice for sea
Saturday 13th: 0425 At 1 hours notice for sea, 0520 Anchor watch set, 0850 AA Lookouts closed up, 0900 Assumed AA Lookout ship, 1515 Minelaying Flotilla out
Sunday 14th: Divisions and Church, 1100 Up Spirits, 1730 Commander broadcast to Ship's Company
Monday 15th: 0250 MAYFLOWER in, 0630 HOUND out, 0745 BERWICK out, 0910 Gun and Torpedo Classes, 1100 Captain HMS VULCAN onboard to 1230, PM Gunnery Drills, Warrant No. 26 read, 1950 Embarked fish, 2010 BERWICK & KENT in
Tuesday 16th: To sea
Wednesday 17th: At sea
Thursday 18th: 1130 Reykjavik Leave party left ship, 1330 Leave to 1830 (C&PO's 1900), 2300 Reykjavik Leave party returned
Friday 19th: As Thursday
Saturday 20th: 0800 Underway to sea, 0855 Paravanes streamed, 0900 Course 260° Speed 24kts, 1530 Dropped Depth Charge for exercise, Anti-Submarine exercises ZZ with CS10 flagship KENT, BERMUDA Fleet Guide
Sunday 21st: Continuing exercises at sea, 1740 Paravanes recovered, 1850 Anchored A1 in Scapa Flow, Oiler PESTO alongside
Monday 22nd: 0400 CHARYBDIS in, 0835 DUKE OF YORK out, AM/PM Harbour training
Tuesday 23rd: AM/PM Harbour Training
Wednesday 24th: AM/PM Harbour Training
Thursday 25th: 0730 Ammunition ship, AM, JAMAICA, NEWCASTLE, SCYLLA & D of YORK out, 1915 D of YORK in, 2315 SCYLLA in
Friday 26th:1630 Leave to 1830, 2320 Chief and Petty Officers return from Smoking Concert
Saturday 27th: 0630 AA Lookouts closed up to 0800, AM KING GEORGE V out, 1505 Walrus returned and hoisted in, 2041 Underway to sea with ATHERBASKAN - Patrol Speed 19kts
Sunday 28th: Patrol (Blockade) between Faeroes and Iceland after reports of German ships TIRPITZ, SCHARNHORST and LUTZOW being at sea
Monday 29th: Patrol continued
Tuesday 30th: GLASGOW reported action with a Blockade runner
Wednesday 31st: Unable to contact BRECON, 2330 Signal received BRECON damaged and returning Scapa.
(Distance in March - 3221nm)
Monday 1st: At Anchor A2 Berth Scapa Flow, 0750 HMS CARLISLE out, AM Action Damage Control Parties (DCP), 1000 Walrus aircraft hoisted out, 1035 Weighed starboard anchor, 1330 Supply stores and ammunition arrived, 1545 HMS Kenya in, 1840 Darken ship, Anchor watches overnight in SW 7-8 wind.
Tuesday 2nd: 1230 Special Sea Dutymen (SSD), 1300 Action Director Control Party (DCP), 1339 Passed Hoxa Gate out, 1804 Passed Gate in 2230, CARLISLE and NEWFOUNDLAND in.
Wednesday 3rd: 0630 Carrier FURIOUS out, 0925 Walrus hoisted in, 1015 Cable party mustered and underway, 1115 RDF calibration firings 1315 Cable Party mustered, 1400 Anchored, 2000 FURIOUS out.
Thursday 4th: No's 1 & 2 Platoons draw equipment, 0805 NEWFOUNDLAND and UGANDA out, AM Provisioning ship, 1145 Captain to FURIOUS, 1650 Embarked Walrus, Platoons returned to ship, 1830 Assumed Anti-aircraft guardship, 2100 Rounds.
Friday 5th: 0725 SSD closed up, 0830 Action DCP, 0908 Passed Hoxa Gate out, 1225 Opened fire to port to 1240, 1340 1st Walrus launched, 1405 2nd Walrus launched, 1500 One 'enemy' shadower shot down, 1700 2nd Part of Port Watch to AA Cruising Stations, 1900 Zig-zagging in 1.5 mls visibility, 2100 Exercises with CARLISLE
Saturday 6th: 0115 Sole Skerry Light Bearing 270°, 0215 Zig-Zag No15 Mean Course 335° Speed 16 kts, 0741 Passed Gate in and to anchor, 0850 KENYA underway out, 1130 Vice Admiral 2 aboard to 1155, 1200 Storeship ROVER alongside, 1430 Diver down Port side - Recovered 1615, 1825 Battleship KING GEORGE VI in
Sunday 7th: 1005 Draught: Forward 19'5"; Aft 21'11", 1020 Action DCP, 1046 Passed Gate out, 1050 Streamed Paravanes, AM/PM Day Action Stations exercised, 1436 Cape Wrath abeam, O/N Night Action Stations exercised
Monday 8th: 0700 Dawn Action Stations, AM/PM Low Angle Defence exercises
Tuesday 9th: 0200 Vis 1.5 mls Speed 17, Various exercises incl ZZ Speed 14-18 kts
Wednesday 10th: 0630 Call the hands, 1045 Took station on Battleship ANSON - Special ZZ, 1743 Passed Gate at Hvalfiord to anchor in A3, 1905 Oiler BELCOL alongside, 2200 Close Range weapons at 10 minutes notice
Thursday 11th: 0850 Both Watches on Quarterdeck for Physical Training, 1200 Dinner, 1300 Landed Libertymen
Friday 12th: 0915 Both Watches plus Gunnery & Torpedo training, 1830 Roman Catholic Chaplain onboard for Mass, 2345 At 10 minutes notice for sea
Saturday 13th: 0425 At 1 hours notice for sea, 0520 Anchor watch set, 0850 AA Lookouts closed up, 0900 Assumed AA Lookout ship, 1515 Minelaying Flotilla out
Sunday 14th: Divisions and Church, 1100 Up Spirits, 1730 Commander broadcast to Ship's Company
Monday 15th: 0250 MAYFLOWER in, 0630 HOUND out, 0745 BERWICK out, 0910 Gun and Torpedo Classes, 1100 Captain HMS VULCAN onboard to 1230, PM Gunnery Drills, Warrant No. 26 read, 1950 Embarked fish, 2010 BERWICK & KENT in
Tuesday 16th: To sea
Wednesday 17th: At sea
Thursday 18th: 1130 Reykjavik Leave party left ship, 1330 Leave to 1830 (C&PO's 1900), 2300 Reykjavik Leave party returned
Friday 19th: As Thursday
Saturday 20th: 0800 Underway to sea, 0855 Paravanes streamed, 0900 Course 260° Speed 24kts, 1530 Dropped Depth Charge for exercise, Anti-Submarine exercises ZZ with CS10 flagship KENT, BERMUDA Fleet Guide
Sunday 21st: Continuing exercises at sea, 1740 Paravanes recovered, 1850 Anchored A1 in Scapa Flow, Oiler PESTO alongside
Monday 22nd: 0400 CHARYBDIS in, 0835 DUKE OF YORK out, AM/PM Harbour training
Tuesday 23rd: AM/PM Harbour Training
Wednesday 24th: AM/PM Harbour Training
Thursday 25th: 0730 Ammunition ship, AM, JAMAICA, NEWCASTLE, SCYLLA & D of YORK out, 1915 D of YORK in, 2315 SCYLLA in
Friday 26th:1630 Leave to 1830, 2320 Chief and Petty Officers return from Smoking Concert
Saturday 27th: 0630 AA Lookouts closed up to 0800, AM KING GEORGE V out, 1505 Walrus returned and hoisted in, 2041 Underway to sea with ATHERBASKAN - Patrol Speed 19kts
Sunday 28th: Patrol (Blockade) between Faeroes and Iceland after reports of German ships TIRPITZ, SCHARNHORST and LUTZOW being at sea
Monday 29th: Patrol continued
Tuesday 30th: GLASGOW reported action with a Blockade runner
Wednesday 31st: Unable to contact BRECON, 2330 Signal received BRECON damaged and returning Scapa.
(Distance in March - 3221nm)
HMS DUKE OF YORK (1940-1958) and HMS BERWICK (1920-1948)
APRIL 1943
Thursday 1st: 0815 Increased speed to 15kts, HMCS ATHERBASCAN Guide, 0900 Altered course to 175°, ceased ZigZag. 2nd of Port on Focsle for in Paravanes, 0915 Reduced speed to 8kts, Altered Course to 070, 0917 Paravanes clear of the water, 0920 Increased speed to 12kts, Altered course to 235, 0923 Increased speed to 14kts, 0928 Two men overboard (Commander and Gunnery Officer), 1005 Gunnery Officer (Lt Cdr R P S Grant)recovered, ATHERBASCAN closed to help, 1033 Finished searching (Commander R W Griffith lost), Altered course to resume Patrol, 1049 Increased speed to 16kts, 1300 Ordered to return to Scapa
Friday 2nd: 0900 Catapult Walrus - cancelled due fog, 1401 Passed Hoxa Gate to anchor A at 1418, 1505 Cdr Bratt, Surg Lt Cdr Nasworthy & 19 ratings joined, Hands muster for payment, PM. ANSON & KENT in
Saturday 3rd: Store ship
Sunday 4th: Church & pipe down, 1300 Leave to 1800
Thursday 1st: 0815 Increased speed to 15kts, HMCS ATHERBASCAN Guide, 0900 Altered course to 175°, ceased ZigZag. 2nd of Port on Focsle for in Paravanes, 0915 Reduced speed to 8kts, Altered Course to 070, 0917 Paravanes clear of the water, 0920 Increased speed to 12kts, Altered course to 235, 0923 Increased speed to 14kts, 0928 Two men overboard (Commander and Gunnery Officer), 1005 Gunnery Officer (Lt Cdr R P S Grant)recovered, ATHERBASCAN closed to help, 1033 Finished searching (Commander R W Griffith lost), Altered course to resume Patrol, 1049 Increased speed to 16kts, 1300 Ordered to return to Scapa
Friday 2nd: 0900 Catapult Walrus - cancelled due fog, 1401 Passed Hoxa Gate to anchor A at 1418, 1505 Cdr Bratt, Surg Lt Cdr Nasworthy & 19 ratings joined, Hands muster for payment, PM. ANSON & KENT in
Saturday 3rd: Store ship
Sunday 4th: Church & pipe down, 1300 Leave to 1800
Monday 5th: 1600 Board of Enquiry into Loss of Ship's Executive Officer, Cdr Griffith, sitting onboard to 2220
Tuesday 6th: Harbour training
Wednesday 7th: Harbour training
Thursday 8th: Hospital Ship ST JULIAN out
Friday 9th: 1135 To sea, sighted and passed ANSON, SCYLLA &JAMAICA.
(NOB - 'Operation Regulation' Call me if St Kilda not abeam 0200. Avoiding Torpedoes: Turn toward if between Right Ahead and 60 Degrees Green or Red, Abaft this turn away Full Speed. If submarine sighted outside 3000yds (2742m) turn away immediately. If inside 3000yds act as for sighting torpedo. Speed may be reduced to 18kts AFTER the ship is heading towards the Bearing of the Sub to help in Depth Charge attack. Watch Officers listed Lt's Gilchrist, Kidd, Bryan, Newman, Thompson, Woolley)
Saturday 10th: Sighted fast convoy returning from Algiers
Sunday 11th: BERMUDA bound for Devonport
Monday 12th: 0800 Increased speed to 24kts working up to full power, 0905 Increased to full power, 0909 Starboard paravane backhaul carried away, 1055 Sunderland aircraft passed overhead, 1100 Commenced work down, 1120 Sighted Bishops Rock, 1730 Passed Boom into Plymouth Sound, 1815 Alongside Devonport
Tuesday 13th: De-ammunitioning and & de-fuelling. Long Leave (including CO) to 1605 21st, 24 hour Upper Deck Sentries instigated
Wednesday 14th: Preparing to Dock
Thursday 15th: Docked down in No8 Dock (Dock flooded to 2' overnight against incendiary bombs). Maintenance & painting in Dock
Friday 16th: Docked down
Saturday 17th: Docked down, Gunnery Officer, Lt Cdr Grant, returned to ship (Ex Hospital/Recovery leave. See 1 April above)
Sunday 18th: Docked down
Monday 19th: Docked down
Tuesday 20th: Docked down
Wednesday 21st: 1515 Out of Dock - Maintenance continuing.
Thursday 22nd: 0855 Royal Marine Guard fell-in, 0900 Lord Knollys (HM Governor of the Colony of Bermuda) onboard. (See 1942-44 An EO's Story webpage)
Friday 23rd: Maintenance & storing continuing
Saturday 24th: Moved to G Buoys for Ammunitioning etc.
Sunday 25th: 2000 Chief of Staff onboard to 2200
Monday 26th: 1000 Slipped and to sea, 1030 Polish destroyer ORKAN stationed 1 mile ahead, AM/PM Main armament exercises
Tuesday 27th: AM/PM Main armament exercises
Wednesday 28th: Action and Defence exercises continuing
(NOB) - Cover convoy (MKF 13) ORKAN 3 cables astern
Thursday 29th: Object in water investigated and Depth Charge dropped
(NOB) - We pass West of Convoy about 25 miles at 0100. 273 (Radar) continue sweeps, 284 (Radar) 3 or 4 times an hour)
Friday 30th: Action and Defence exercises continuing
(Distance in April - 3897)
MAY 1943
Saturday 1st: Passed Hoxa Gate in to anchor Scapa Flow 1929
Sunday 2nd: Underway to sea to cover minelaying operations, 2300 Paravanes out
Monday 3rd: Hostile aircraft sighted, 1400 Faroes radar contact Bearing 290 at 45nm, 2340 Convoy sighted to Port
Tuesday 4th: Continuing M/L Ops cover
Wednesday 5th: As 4th
Thursday 6th: Passed Hoxa Gate in to anchor 'A' Berth
Friday 7th: 1540 Hockey and Football teams landed, 2300 Gale Warning issued
Saturday 8th: 0930 Clear Lower Deck for ONSLOW flying flag of Admiral Tovey out.
Sunday 9th: Harbour routine, Church and Afternoon Leave
Monday 10th: Harbour routine
Tuesday 11th: Harbour routine - maintenance and drills
Wednesday 12th; 0715 SUFFOLK out, 0850 MALAYA out, 1620 MALAYA in, 1740 SUFFOLK in, 2215 MALAYA out
Thursday 13th: 0800 Underway to sea for 6" shoot, Walrus launched, PM Gun firing, 1848 Passed New Skene Gate in to anchor
Friday 14th: Harbour training
Saturday 15th: Harbour routine
Sunday 16th: Sunday harbour routine
Monday 17th: EMERALD out, DUKE OF YORK, MALAYA and ANSON, VALIANT in
Tuesday 18th: Harbour routine
Wednesday 19th: 2215 USS SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, RODMAN, EMMONDS, MACOMBE and FITCH in (Ships of US Task Force 99)
Thursday 20th: 0925 Underway to sea, 1030 Sub-calibre shoot, PM Dive bombing exercise (EMERALD 'attacked' instead of BERMUDA which must have frayed a few nerves), Submarine exercise
Friday 21st: 1741 Passed Hoxa Boom in, CUMBERLAND and VALIANT in
Saturday 22nd: Captain's Messdeck Rounds
Sunday 23rd: Church and harbour routine, BELFAST in
Monday 24th: 0845 USS SOUTH DAKOTA, ALABAMA, HMS DUKE OF YORK, MALAYA with escorting destroyers out, 2330 Above in
Tuesday 25th: 0903 Underway to exercise area, Torpedo firings with recovery by Motor Cutter and 1st Whaler, Anti-submarine exercise, Battle practice Target 6" shoot
Wednesday 26th: 0523 Passed Hoxa Gate in to anchor 'A', 1900 LONDON in
Thursday 27th: 0415 Underway to sea, Paravanes out, passage to the Clyde
Friday 28th: 1253 Passed Clyde Gate in, 1320 anchored Greenock, 1430 Starboard watch Libertymen landed to 0730/29th, 1530 ECHO and MIDDLETON in, 1705 INDOMITABLE in
Saturday 29th: Storing of every sort including NAAFI, Libertymen
Sunday 30th: Church, storing and Libertymen
Monday 31st: 0729 Underway on passage to Akureyri, Iceland, 0905 Catapulted Walrus to starboard, 1205 Recovered Walrus aircraft.
(Distance in May - 3451)
JUNE 1943
Tuesday 1st: With FURIOUS and CUMBERLAND, Checks of 'Deck Cargo' being made regularly, 1132 anchored Eyla Fjord (Akureyri)
Wednesday 2nd: Washing down and cleaning
Thursday 3rd: As 2nd
Friday 4th: Paintship, Catapult launches and recovery of Walrus
Saturday 5th: Continuing painting and Walrus launch and recovery, Evening Quarters Warrant No 49 read
Sunday 6th: Church, painting and Make and Mend, 'Deck Cargo' checks continuing
Monday 7th: 1900 With FURIOUS and CUMBERLAND sailed (Spitzbergen Garrison Re-supply)
Tuesday 8th: - 1510 Snow storm
Wednesday 9th: Submarine echo detected and Depth Charge dropped, Hostile aircraft - Hands to repel aircraft stations
Thursday 10th: Courses and speeds as required for patrol off Barentsburg, 1515 Landed 1st Flight of passengers and Working Parties, ('Deck Cargo' landed during this stop) 1925 Anchored off Barentsburg, 2110 ECLIPSE alongside for fuelling, 2345 Underway
Friday 11th: Visibility 1000 yards, 1203 Jan Mayen Island visible at 3000 yds
Saturday 12th: On passage
Sunday 13th: On passage
Monday 14th: AM 6" gun throw-off shoot and dummy torpedo attack with CUMBERLAND, 1400 AA firings in practice area to 1604, 1803 Anchored in Scapa Flow
Tuesday 15th: 0630 BELFAST, GLASGOW, LONDON, SHEFFIELD, EMERALD passed out, 0720 INDOMITABLE,NELSON, RODNEY, VALIANT out, 0800 Ammunitioning, 1830 Underway to sea, 2015 6" shoot at BPT, 2300 Cape Wrath Light abeam
Wednesday 16th: 1407 anchored Greenock and refuelling, 1500 13 officers joined for passage
Thursday 17th: 1225 Underway to sea, 1221 Cleared Clyde Gate, 1750 Exercise Action Stations, 2400 Port watch to Defence Stations
Friday 18th: Survivors in sea reported, 1533 Altered course 085 at 23kts, 1630 Ceased zigzag in area none recovered, 1800 Speed 25kts-26kts overnight
Saturday 19th: On passage
Sunday 20th: 1003 Entered Gibraltar H & S Buoys, 1100 Oiler on Port side to 1140, embarked 14 ratings for passage, 1715 Slipped
Monday 21st: 0730 Passed a convoy of LCT's, 1020 Entered Algiers Harbour to anchor, 1150 Hands to bathe, PM Unloading Stores, 1610 Hands to bathe,1807 Underway, AA Defence stations
Tuesday 22nd: 1500 head and Stern buoys in Gibraltar, PENELOPE in
Wednesday 23rd: 0705 Slipped, 1940 Passed convoy with BATTLER, 2359 decreased to 25kts
Thursday 24th: On passage, 1600 Passed SCYLLA
Friday 25th: 1649 Eddystone Light sighted, 1930 Alongside No5 Wall Devonport, officers on passage disembarked. (Distance run since departing Scapa Flow on 15th 4,422 nautical miles). Air Raid Warnings, Sentries, Repel aircraft and Fire Stations all continued 24 hours a day whilst alongside
Saturday 26th: Lt White, RCNVR left ship
Sunday 27th: Church and Pipe down, Libertymen
Monday 28th: Maintenance and storing, Libertymen
Tuesday 29th: As 28th
Wednesday 30th: 1711 Slipped for sea, 1819 Cleared Gate, out Paravanes, Zigzag commence, AA Action Stations, 2237 Wolf Rock Light 318 Degrees, 2400 Scillies abeam Starboard 16mls
(Distance in June - 8109)
Tuesday 1st: With FURIOUS and CUMBERLAND, Checks of 'Deck Cargo' being made regularly, 1132 anchored Eyla Fjord (Akureyri)
Wednesday 2nd: Washing down and cleaning
Thursday 3rd: As 2nd
Friday 4th: Paintship, Catapult launches and recovery of Walrus
Saturday 5th: Continuing painting and Walrus launch and recovery, Evening Quarters Warrant No 49 read
Sunday 6th: Church, painting and Make and Mend, 'Deck Cargo' checks continuing
Monday 7th: 1900 With FURIOUS and CUMBERLAND sailed (Spitzbergen Garrison Re-supply)
Tuesday 8th: - 1510 Snow storm
Wednesday 9th: Submarine echo detected and Depth Charge dropped, Hostile aircraft - Hands to repel aircraft stations
Thursday 10th: Courses and speeds as required for patrol off Barentsburg, 1515 Landed 1st Flight of passengers and Working Parties, ('Deck Cargo' landed during this stop) 1925 Anchored off Barentsburg, 2110 ECLIPSE alongside for fuelling, 2345 Underway
Friday 11th: Visibility 1000 yards, 1203 Jan Mayen Island visible at 3000 yds
Saturday 12th: On passage
Sunday 13th: On passage
Monday 14th: AM 6" gun throw-off shoot and dummy torpedo attack with CUMBERLAND, 1400 AA firings in practice area to 1604, 1803 Anchored in Scapa Flow
Tuesday 15th: 0630 BELFAST, GLASGOW, LONDON, SHEFFIELD, EMERALD passed out, 0720 INDOMITABLE,NELSON, RODNEY, VALIANT out, 0800 Ammunitioning, 1830 Underway to sea, 2015 6" shoot at BPT, 2300 Cape Wrath Light abeam
Wednesday 16th: 1407 anchored Greenock and refuelling, 1500 13 officers joined for passage
Thursday 17th: 1225 Underway to sea, 1221 Cleared Clyde Gate, 1750 Exercise Action Stations, 2400 Port watch to Defence Stations
Friday 18th: Survivors in sea reported, 1533 Altered course 085 at 23kts, 1630 Ceased zigzag in area none recovered, 1800 Speed 25kts-26kts overnight
Saturday 19th: On passage
Sunday 20th: 1003 Entered Gibraltar H & S Buoys, 1100 Oiler on Port side to 1140, embarked 14 ratings for passage, 1715 Slipped
Monday 21st: 0730 Passed a convoy of LCT's, 1020 Entered Algiers Harbour to anchor, 1150 Hands to bathe, PM Unloading Stores, 1610 Hands to bathe,1807 Underway, AA Defence stations
Tuesday 22nd: 1500 head and Stern buoys in Gibraltar, PENELOPE in
Wednesday 23rd: 0705 Slipped, 1940 Passed convoy with BATTLER, 2359 decreased to 25kts
Thursday 24th: On passage, 1600 Passed SCYLLA
Friday 25th: 1649 Eddystone Light sighted, 1930 Alongside No5 Wall Devonport, officers on passage disembarked. (Distance run since departing Scapa Flow on 15th 4,422 nautical miles). Air Raid Warnings, Sentries, Repel aircraft and Fire Stations all continued 24 hours a day whilst alongside
Saturday 26th: Lt White, RCNVR left ship
Sunday 27th: Church and Pipe down, Libertymen
Monday 28th: Maintenance and storing, Libertymen
Tuesday 29th: As 28th
Wednesday 30th: 1711 Slipped for sea, 1819 Cleared Gate, out Paravanes, Zigzag commence, AA Action Stations, 2237 Wolf Rock Light 318 Degrees, 2400 Scillies abeam Starboard 16mls
(Distance in June - 8109)
HMS INDOMITABLE (1940-1955) and HMS ORWELL (1942-1965)
JULY 1943
Thursday 1st: Continuing convoy cover patrol Biscay
Friday 2nd: As 1st
Saturday 3rd: 0210 Action Stations, aircraft illuminated ship with searchlight then dropped two depth charges off Starboard quarter, 0305 Action Stations secured, 0825 Anti Aircraft Action Stations, 0840 Radar echo faded
(NOB) - Bay of Biscay Patrol 2300 Co(urse) 140 ZZ 198 Call me 10' before Dawn Action Stations which must be laid on by PCO. There are submarines reported in the area through which we pass after 0300. Report weather at 0330
Sunday 4th: Patrol continuing
Monday 5th: 0925 Depth charge attack on ASDIC echo, 1130 Aircraft dropped two depth charges
Tuesday 6th: 2025 Wellington aircraft sighted and again at 2230, 2300 Approximately 15 aircraft - believed friendly - passed ship
Wednesday 7th: 0303 Bishop's Rock sighted, 0950 Secured on 'G' Buoy Plymouth Sound, AM Warrants No's 55, 56, 58 & 60 read, 1400 Hands to bathe, 1515 Both Watches fall-in, 1700 Ammunitioning, 2000 Cable Party on Focsle, 2048 Slipped, 2109 Passed Gate out at Action Stations, AA Cruising Stations and Zigzag at 19kts, 2400 Port Watch to Defence Stations
Thursday 8th: HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH Bearing 324 at 17,500yds, 1311 Distress Signal picked up,
Friday 9th: Biscay Patrol
Saturday 10th: 1718 Opened fire on vessel (10 Degree throw-off) using 14 shells - found to be a Spanish Fishing Vessel,
Sunday 11th: Church & Patrol
Monday 12th: Patrol
Tuesday 13th: 2230 Circled small dinghy 1 occupant recovered, 2310 Depth charge used to destroy aircraft wreckage
Wednesday 14th: Patrol
Thursday 15th: 1820 Passed Gate into Plymouth Sound and to Buoy 'G'
Friday 16th: Leave to Port Watch 1315-0715 C&PO's 0745
Saturday 17th: 1340 Slipped for sea
Sunday 18th: Passage
Monday 19th: Passage
Tuesday 20th: 0855 Coming up on Convoy (MKF18 about 800nm SW of Lands End) and to Station astern of SCYLLA, 1550 SCYLLA leaving convoy, 1750 Destroyer Convoy screen carried out 7 Depth Charge attack on Port Wing
Wednesday 21st: Convoy scree
Thursday 22nd: Convoy screen and to Scapa Flow
(NOB) - If Vis(ibility) is good I want QM (Quartermaster) to steer from Aft from 1445 to 2100
Friday 23rd: 1326 Passed Hoxa Gate to Scapa Flow anchorage, Leave 1250-1830
Saturday 24th: 0615 Racing Whaler crew away for practice, SHROPSHIRE, SHEFFIELD AND ISLE OF JERSEY in
Sunday 25th: 0430 MALAYA out, 0700 DANAE in, 0750 Assumed AA Lookout ship 1st Starboard closed-up, 1100 Hands to Church, 1200 Torpedo nets secured alongside, 2205 AA Cruising Stations closed-up overnight
Monday 26th: 0600 AA Cruising Stns stood-down, 1100 Military Barrage exercised, 1830 UNICORN in
Tuesday 27th: 1525 Weighed and proceeding sea with HF ships for Diversionary action towards Norway whilst Operation Governor - Sicily invasion commenced
(NOB) - 'Operation Governor' Abeam of ONSLOW
Wednesday 28th: 0830 Returned to Scapa 'A' Berth
Thursday 29th: Harbour routine and Leave PM
Friday 30th: As 29th
Saturday 31st: 1040 Muster for Payment, Lecture in Hangar by Mr Graeme Sutherland
(Distance in July - 9601)
AUGUST 1943
Sunday 1st: 0630 Call the Hands, 0700 Clean ship, 0930 Divisions Fall-in for Presentation of Medals 1015 Church in Starboard Hangar, 1200 Dinner, Leave 1300-1830 (1930), 1620 SOUTH DAKOTA and ALABAMA in, 2200 Pipe down
Monday 2nd: Cleanship, 1545 PHOEBE in, 1810 SHROPSHIRE in, 2150 SHROPSHIRE out
Tuesday 3rd: 0715 CEYLON in, 0750 Both Watches Paintship, 1330 Lt Cdr Roe joined ship,1700 Stokers Evening Quarters, 1815 DUKE OF YORK in, 2015 ILLUSTRIOUS out, 2200 Assumed AA Guardship
Wednesday 4th: Paintship, Midshipman J A Ridell RNVR joined ship
Thursday 5th: 0502 Passed Hoxa Gate out, 0630 Passed ORWELL, 2152 Sighted RMS QUEEN MARY, Increased to 25kts, 2305 Course 268 Sp 30kts Visibility 2 miles to escort (QM From Clyde 5th - Almost 3500 Passengers/Crew - For New York)
Friday 6th: 1722 Sighted RMS QM escort continuing
Saturday 7th: 0925 Escort broken-off ship returning to Scapa Flow
Sunday 8th: Passage
Monday 9th: AA firings, 1557 Passed Gate and to anchor 'A', Oiling
Tuesday 10th: 1315 Diving Party exercise Port side, 1737 Underway to sea
Wednesday 11th: Passage
Thursday 12th: 0515 Trevose Head abeam
(NOB) - To cover OS53 Convoy No ships and weather makes it doubtful any S/L Wellingtons will be out
Friday 13th: 2000 Position 350mls SW Lands End
Saturday 14th: 1412 Convoy in sight, 1439 Took station astern of Convoy, 1913 Ship passing through Convoy Course 360
Sunday 15th: Closing and circling Convoy
Monday 16th: Convoy screening and Passage
Tuesday 17th: 0907 Passed Gate Plymouth Sound to 'G' Buoy, Ship to 4 hours notice for steam (sea), Up harbour to No 8 Wharf Devonport, Leave Port Watch 1545-0730 and 2nd Starboard 1630-0730
Wednesday 18th: Storing, Fuelling, Ammunitioning and Cleaning with Dockyard Essential Maintenance help
Thursday 19th: As 18th
Friday 20th: 0615 Hands fall-in, 0915 Slipped, Action Stations on clearing Boom out
Saturday 21st: Atlantic/Biscay Patrol
Sunday 22nd: As 21st, west of Corunna
Monday 23rd: As 22nd
Tuesday 24th: Continuing Patrol
Wednesday 25th: Continuing Patrol
Thursday 26th: As 25th
Friday 27th: 2015 Secured 'G' Buoy Plymouth, Refuelling
Saturday 28th: 0110 Provisions Lighter alongside, 0140 Fuelling completed, 0515 Both Watches of Hands securing for sea, 0657 Slipped,
Sunday 29th: 1035 Action Stations unknown vessel sighted, 1145 Identified as Naval MFV23 bound Gibraltar, 1150 Action Stations secured
Monday 30th: Patrol
Tuesday 31st: Patrol
(Distance in August - 10680)
SEPTEMBER 1943Wednesday 1st: 1235 Secured No 8 Buoy Devonport, 1615 Midshipman E Stevenson/E Lewis/J Golding joined shipThursday 2nd: Storing, maintenance and Leave overnight
Friday 3rd: As 2nd
Saturday 4th: 1452 Underway, 1540 Ship photograph,
Sunday 5th: Blind Barrage, Torpedo firings both sides, 4" High Angle firings, 6" BPT shoot
Monday 6th: Biscay Patrol
Tuesday 7th: Biscay Patrol, X Turret fired single round at smoke float
Wednesday 8th: Continuing patrol
Thursday 9th: Patrol
Friday 10th: Patrol
Saturday 11th: Patrol
Sunday 12th: 1607 Passed Gate in to No8 Devonport. Leave 1720-0730
Monday 13th: Storing and maintenance
Tuesday 14th: Storing and maintenance
Wednesday 15th: Storing and maintenance
Thursday 16th: 2000 Three Councillors from West Bromwich arrived onboard
Friday 17th: Long Leave parties landed
Saturday 18th: Maintenance
Sunday 19th: Maintenance
Monday 20th: Maintenance
Tuesday 21st: Maintenance
Wednesday 22nd: Port watch returned from Leave
Thursday 23rd: 0930 Disciplinary Court convened onboard - Adjourned 1030, Leave returns
Friday 24th: Last Leave returns
Saturday 25th: 1325 Slipped for sea and Patrol West of Biscay (Operation Stonewall - Speed throughout 18-20kts)
Sunday 26th: Patrol
Monday 27th: Patrol
Tuesday 28th: Patrol
Wednesday 29th: Patrol
Thursday 30th: Patrol, Noon position c1000nm WSW of Lands End/600nm West of Corunna.
(Distance in September - 2542)
OCTOBER 1943
Friday 1st: Patrol
Saturday 2nd: Patrol
Sunday 3rd: 1325 Passed Breakwater in to Plymouth Sound, 1500 Libertymen, Midshipmen away under sail in Whalers
Monday 4th: 1500 RM's mustered for reading of Warrants No's 83-85, 1700 Evening Quarters with respirators, Port No 1 4" gun fired for test
Tuesday 5th: Hand employed Part of Ship, Libertymen
Wednesday 6th: 1130 Underway to sea
Thursday 7th: Patrol (Stonewall Area)
Friday 8th: Patrol
Saturday 9th: 2000 Position NE of Azores
Sunday 10th: Patrol
Monday 11th: Patrol
Tuesday 12th: Patrol
Wednesday 13th: Patrol
Thursday 14th: 1120 Secured to 'G' Buoy Plymouth Sound (Patrol Distance 3685nms)
Friday 15th: Maintenance, storing and overnight Leave
Saturday 16th: As Friday
Sunday 17th: Preparing for sea. 1015 Slipped for sea and Patrol
Monday 18th: Patrol
Tuesday 19th: Patrol
Wednesday 20th: 2000 Position 500 mls West of Lisbon
Thursday 21st: Continuing Patrol
Friday 22nd: Patrol
Saturday 23rd: Passage
Sunday 24th: 1200 Passed Hoxa Gate into Scapa Flow 'A6' Berth
Monday 25th: Harbour Routine, Storing, Maintenance, Training etc
Tuesday 26th: Harbour Routine etc
Wednesday 27th: Harbour Routine etc
Thursday 28th: Harbour Routine etc
Friday 29th: Harbour Routine etc, HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in
Saturday 30th: Harbour Routine etc
Sunday 31st: Harbour Routine etc
(Distance in October - 8677)
Friday 3rd: As 2nd
Saturday 4th: 1452 Underway, 1540 Ship photograph,
Sunday 5th: Blind Barrage, Torpedo firings both sides, 4" High Angle firings, 6" BPT shoot
Monday 6th: Biscay Patrol
Tuesday 7th: Biscay Patrol, X Turret fired single round at smoke float
Wednesday 8th: Continuing patrol
Thursday 9th: Patrol
Friday 10th: Patrol
Saturday 11th: Patrol
Sunday 12th: 1607 Passed Gate in to No8 Devonport. Leave 1720-0730
Monday 13th: Storing and maintenance
Tuesday 14th: Storing and maintenance
Wednesday 15th: Storing and maintenance
Thursday 16th: 2000 Three Councillors from West Bromwich arrived onboard
Friday 17th: Long Leave parties landed
Saturday 18th: Maintenance
Sunday 19th: Maintenance
Monday 20th: Maintenance
Tuesday 21st: Maintenance
Wednesday 22nd: Port watch returned from Leave
Thursday 23rd: 0930 Disciplinary Court convened onboard - Adjourned 1030, Leave returns
Friday 24th: Last Leave returns
Saturday 25th: 1325 Slipped for sea and Patrol West of Biscay (Operation Stonewall - Speed throughout 18-20kts)
Sunday 26th: Patrol
Monday 27th: Patrol
Tuesday 28th: Patrol
Wednesday 29th: Patrol
Thursday 30th: Patrol, Noon position c1000nm WSW of Lands End/600nm West of Corunna.
(Distance in September - 2542)
OCTOBER 1943
Friday 1st: Patrol
Saturday 2nd: Patrol
Sunday 3rd: 1325 Passed Breakwater in to Plymouth Sound, 1500 Libertymen, Midshipmen away under sail in Whalers
Monday 4th: 1500 RM's mustered for reading of Warrants No's 83-85, 1700 Evening Quarters with respirators, Port No 1 4" gun fired for test
Tuesday 5th: Hand employed Part of Ship, Libertymen
Wednesday 6th: 1130 Underway to sea
Thursday 7th: Patrol (Stonewall Area)
Friday 8th: Patrol
Saturday 9th: 2000 Position NE of Azores
Sunday 10th: Patrol
Monday 11th: Patrol
Tuesday 12th: Patrol
Wednesday 13th: Patrol
Thursday 14th: 1120 Secured to 'G' Buoy Plymouth Sound (Patrol Distance 3685nms)
Friday 15th: Maintenance, storing and overnight Leave
Saturday 16th: As Friday
Sunday 17th: Preparing for sea. 1015 Slipped for sea and Patrol
Monday 18th: Patrol
Tuesday 19th: Patrol
Wednesday 20th: 2000 Position 500 mls West of Lisbon
Thursday 21st: Continuing Patrol
Friday 22nd: Patrol
Saturday 23rd: Passage
Sunday 24th: 1200 Passed Hoxa Gate into Scapa Flow 'A6' Berth
Monday 25th: Harbour Routine, Storing, Maintenance, Training etc
Tuesday 26th: Harbour Routine etc
Wednesday 27th: Harbour Routine etc
Thursday 28th: Harbour Routine etc
Friday 29th: Harbour Routine etc, HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH in
Saturday 30th: Harbour Routine etc
Sunday 31st: Harbour Routine etc
(Distance in October - 8677)
NOVEMBER 1943
Monday 1st: Harbour Routine continued
Tuesday 2nd: Harbour Routine and Training
Wednesday 3rd: Harbour Routine and Training
Thursday 4th: Harbour Routine and Training
Friday 5th: To sea for gun firing all day and return (119nms)
Saturday 6th: Harbour Routine & Training
Sunday 7th: 0955 Presentation of Regatta Trophies
Monday 8th: Harbour Routine and preparing for sea
Tuesday 9th: 0927 Sailed for day exercises and return 1757 (127nms)
Wednesday 10th: Harbour Routine
Thursday 11th: Harbour Routine
Friday 12th: 0940-1130 VIRAGO, TUSCAN, BELLONA in, 1300 BIRMINGHAM out, 1440 ARIADNE in, 1740 USS RANGER + 2 US destroyers in, 2325 GAMBIA out
Saturday 13th: 0825 KENT out, 1005 NORFOLK out, 1845 KING GEORGE V in
Sunday 14th: Church and Libertymen
Monday 15th: Topping up supplies
Tuesday 16th: 0455 2nd Part of Port Watch, Cable Party and Special Sea Dutymen called and Closed-up at 0520, 0601 Underway to sea 4 Cables astern of KENT, Paravanes out and Speed 20kts on clearing Gate
Wednesday 17th: 1448 Passed Boom and to anchor in Seidisfjord, Iceland (661nms)
Thursday 18th: 1805 Underway Convoy (JW54A 19 Ship) Distant Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls) with ANSON, KENT and JAMAICA.
Friday 19th: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Saturday 20th: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Sunday 21st: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Monday 1st: Harbour Routine continued
Tuesday 2nd: Harbour Routine and Training
Wednesday 3rd: Harbour Routine and Training
Thursday 4th: Harbour Routine and Training
Friday 5th: To sea for gun firing all day and return (119nms)
Saturday 6th: Harbour Routine & Training
Sunday 7th: 0955 Presentation of Regatta Trophies
Monday 8th: Harbour Routine and preparing for sea
Tuesday 9th: 0927 Sailed for day exercises and return 1757 (127nms)
Wednesday 10th: Harbour Routine
Thursday 11th: Harbour Routine
Friday 12th: 0940-1130 VIRAGO, TUSCAN, BELLONA in, 1300 BIRMINGHAM out, 1440 ARIADNE in, 1740 USS RANGER + 2 US destroyers in, 2325 GAMBIA out
Saturday 13th: 0825 KENT out, 1005 NORFOLK out, 1845 KING GEORGE V in
Sunday 14th: Church and Libertymen
Monday 15th: Topping up supplies
Tuesday 16th: 0455 2nd Part of Port Watch, Cable Party and Special Sea Dutymen called and Closed-up at 0520, 0601 Underway to sea 4 Cables astern of KENT, Paravanes out and Speed 20kts on clearing Gate
Wednesday 17th: 1448 Passed Boom and to anchor in Seidisfjord, Iceland (661nms)
Thursday 18th: 1805 Underway Convoy (JW54A 19 Ship) Distant Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls) with ANSON, KENT and JAMAICA.
Friday 19th: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Saturday 20th: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Sunday 21st: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Bluenose Certificate of Signalman James Stewart, D/JX199567 on crossing the Arctic Circle off Norway on the 20 November 1943. Thanks to his son Gordon in April 2012
Monday 22nd: Convoy Cover (Visibility 1-2.5mls)
Tuesday 23rd: 1037 Anchored in 28 Berth Vaenga Bay, Kola Inlet (2100nms), Leave 1st Part of Port watch 1330-1630.
Wednesday 24th: Leave 2nd Starboard 1300-1600
Thursday 25th: Leave 1st Starboard 0930-1115, 1125-1143 Divers down Starboard side, Leave 2nd Port 1300-1600, 1745 Russian Concert party onboard to 2315
Friday 26th: 1452 Underway with KENT, ORWELL and ONSLOW
Saturday 27th: Convoy (RA54B 10 Ship) Cover
Sunday 28th: Convoy Cover
Monday 29th: Convoy Cover
Tuesday 30th: Convoy Cover
(Distance in November - 4142)DECEMBER 1943
Wednesday 1st: Convoy Cover
(NOB) - MLA 255 Sp 22kts No8 ZZ follow KENT. Speed will increase after 2400 by Signal. We pass through UBoat area during Middle (0000-0400) / Morning (0400-0800) German Forces might be met during same Watches DC Officers to be at their stations during the night. Action Director Crew to Close up 0400 until daylight, Action Breakfast for 6" and 4"
Thursday 2nd: Convoy Cover
Friday 3rd: Convoy Cover
Saturday 4th: Anchored 'A4' Scapa Flow (Convoy cover = 3206nms)
Sunday 5th: Harbour Routine
Monday 6th: Surgeon Lt Cdr Nosworthy admonished
'Surgeon Lieutenant Commander L R Norsworthy was admonished by me for having an excessive wine bill in the month of November and for failing to keep the Wardroom Wine Book in a satisfactory manner . Sgd: L R Norsworthy/T H Back(Captain)'
Tuesday 7th: 0823 Underway for Clyde
Wednesday 8th: 0954 Anchored Greenock, 1230 Port Watch Long Leave Party landed
Thursday 9th: 0926 Underway to go alongside KGV Dock (Passage from Scapa = 438nms)
Friday 10th: Preparation for Docking
Saturday 11th: Dockyard Routine, Ship's Executive Officer Commander T L Bratt departed on Leave, Local Sea Rangers visited ship, Libertymen
Sunday 12th: Preparation for Docking, Leave
Monday 13th: 1120 From KGV to Dock down in No 3 Dock Govan
Tuesday 14th: No 3 Dock Govan
Wednesday 15th: }
Thursday 16th: }Bottom Clean, Asdic Dome, Underwater fittings
Friday 17th: }Propellors and shafts maintenance
Saturday 18th: }
Sunday 19th: }
Monday 20th: }
Tuesday 21st: } Long Leave Party returning
Wednesday 22nd: 0505 Dock flooding commenced, 0620 Call the Hands, 0928 Floated out, 0928 Testing main engines, 1200 Fall in for Leaving Harbour, 1230 Passed Boom outwards
Thursday 23rd: 1407 Anchored in Scapa Flow (467.9nms)
Friday 24th: Storing, Ammunitioning, Cleaning
Saturday 25th: CHRISTMAS DAY. Wind NW 25-30kts - Air Temperature 47F. 0200, Drifter alongside to land Roman Catholic Church Party, 0615 Gale Warning Issued, 0715 Duty Hands stand by Oiler, 0745 Oiler caste off, 0755 Motor Boat hoisted in, 0800 Both Watches of Hands Clean Ship, 1000, Colours, 1005 Church, 1340 Set Anchor watch, 1700 Reverted to 2 hours for steam, 1930 Anchor watch secured, 2100 No Rounds tonight, 2300 Pipe down
Sunday 26th: Boxing Day - Harbour Routine
Monday 27th: 1410 French Ship RICHELEIU out
Tuesday 28th: 1035 AJAX in
Wednesday 29th: 0905 BLACK PRINCE out
Thursday 30th: Harbour Routine
Friday 31st: Harbour Routine
(Distance in December - 2859)
1st pub 2009
Tuesday 23rd: 1037 Anchored in 28 Berth Vaenga Bay, Kola Inlet (2100nms), Leave 1st Part of Port watch 1330-1630.
Wednesday 24th: Leave 2nd Starboard 1300-1600
Thursday 25th: Leave 1st Starboard 0930-1115, 1125-1143 Divers down Starboard side, Leave 2nd Port 1300-1600, 1745 Russian Concert party onboard to 2315
Friday 26th: 1452 Underway with KENT, ORWELL and ONSLOW
Saturday 27th: Convoy (RA54B 10 Ship) Cover
Sunday 28th: Convoy Cover
Monday 29th: Convoy Cover
Tuesday 30th: Convoy Cover
(Distance in November - 4142)DECEMBER 1943
Wednesday 1st: Convoy Cover
(NOB) - MLA 255 Sp 22kts No8 ZZ follow KENT. Speed will increase after 2400 by Signal. We pass through UBoat area during Middle (0000-0400) / Morning (0400-0800) German Forces might be met during same Watches DC Officers to be at their stations during the night. Action Director Crew to Close up 0400 until daylight, Action Breakfast for 6" and 4"
Thursday 2nd: Convoy Cover
Friday 3rd: Convoy Cover
Saturday 4th: Anchored 'A4' Scapa Flow (Convoy cover = 3206nms)
Sunday 5th: Harbour Routine
Monday 6th: Surgeon Lt Cdr Nosworthy admonished
'Surgeon Lieutenant Commander L R Norsworthy was admonished by me for having an excessive wine bill in the month of November and for failing to keep the Wardroom Wine Book in a satisfactory manner . Sgd: L R Norsworthy/T H Back(Captain)'
Tuesday 7th: 0823 Underway for Clyde
Wednesday 8th: 0954 Anchored Greenock, 1230 Port Watch Long Leave Party landed
Thursday 9th: 0926 Underway to go alongside KGV Dock (Passage from Scapa = 438nms)
Friday 10th: Preparation for Docking
Saturday 11th: Dockyard Routine, Ship's Executive Officer Commander T L Bratt departed on Leave, Local Sea Rangers visited ship, Libertymen
Sunday 12th: Preparation for Docking, Leave
Monday 13th: 1120 From KGV to Dock down in No 3 Dock Govan
Tuesday 14th: No 3 Dock Govan
Wednesday 15th: }
Thursday 16th: }Bottom Clean, Asdic Dome, Underwater fittings
Friday 17th: }Propellors and shafts maintenance
Saturday 18th: }
Sunday 19th: }
Monday 20th: }
Tuesday 21st: } Long Leave Party returning
Wednesday 22nd: 0505 Dock flooding commenced, 0620 Call the Hands, 0928 Floated out, 0928 Testing main engines, 1200 Fall in for Leaving Harbour, 1230 Passed Boom outwards
Thursday 23rd: 1407 Anchored in Scapa Flow (467.9nms)
Friday 24th: Storing, Ammunitioning, Cleaning
Saturday 25th: CHRISTMAS DAY. Wind NW 25-30kts - Air Temperature 47F. 0200, Drifter alongside to land Roman Catholic Church Party, 0615 Gale Warning Issued, 0715 Duty Hands stand by Oiler, 0745 Oiler caste off, 0755 Motor Boat hoisted in, 0800 Both Watches of Hands Clean Ship, 1000, Colours, 1005 Church, 1340 Set Anchor watch, 1700 Reverted to 2 hours for steam, 1930 Anchor watch secured, 2100 No Rounds tonight, 2300 Pipe down
Sunday 26th: Boxing Day - Harbour Routine
Monday 27th: 1410 French Ship RICHELEIU out
Tuesday 28th: 1035 AJAX in
Wednesday 29th: 0905 BLACK PRINCE out
Thursday 30th: Harbour Routine
Friday 31st: Harbour Routine
(Distance in December - 2859)
1st pub 2009
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This HMS BERMUDA 1939-1943 section first published online 2009 and since revised.