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CONVOY CRUISE LTD

Private limited company (Ltd.)

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CONVOY CRUISE LTD is a Private limited company (Ltd.) company based in 150 OLD LODGE LANE PURLEY, United Kingdom, which employs 2 people. The company started trading on 9 July 2012. The company registration number is 08135313, It’s main line of business activity is Tour operator activities, and the company is listed as Inactive. According to the latest confirmation statements submitted on the 2021-07-31, there are currently 2 directors.

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150 OLD LODGE LANE PURLEY , CR8 4AL , United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Financial statements of CONVOY CRUISE LTD

According to CONVOY CRUISE LTD latest financial report submitted on 2021-07-31, the company has a Total-Assets of £2.00 , Net-Worth of £2.00 . Compared with the previous year, the company reported a Total-Assets increase of 0.0% , which is an equivalent of 0 . At the same time, the Net-Worth went down by 0.0% , or by 0 .

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CONVOY CRUISE LTD Directors and key executives

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There are currently 2 people with significant control at CONVOY CRUISE LTD . One of of major shareholders of CONVOY CRUISE LTD is ALTAF SHARIF , which owns 1 ORDINARY shares, with a total value of 1 GBP and KHALIL SHARIF , which owns 1 ORDINARY shares, with a total value of 1 GBP .

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Monarch holidays limited, iglu.com limited, der touristik uk limited, rwh travel limited, frequently asked questions regarding convoy cruise ltd, where is convoy cruise ltd registered office.

CONVOY CRUISE LTD is located at 150 OLD LODGE LANE PURLEY, United Kingdom.

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According to the latest account statement, there are currently 2 of employees working for CONVOY CRUISE LTD.

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Registered address: Artisans' House, 7 Queensbridge, Northampton, Northamptonshire, United Kingdom, NN4 7BF, All rights reserved

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CONVOY CRUISE LTD

Company number 08135313

• Company Overview for CONVOY CRUISE LTD (08135313)
• Filing history for CONVOY CRUISE LTD (08135313)
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Filter officers

Officers: 3 officers / 1 resignation, sharif, khalil, sharif, altaf zubayr.

Welcome to the Historical RFA

Supported by the rfa association, the historical rfa, historical rfa, rfa history.

Convoy Rescue Ships Service

The Background to the Requirement for Convoy Rescue Ships:

James R. Smith

 RFA Historical Society consultant

During WW2 the British Merchant Navy suffered enormous losses in both ships and personnel – a total of 32,952 registered seamen which equated to a 17.8% loss of the total strength.

This is put in perspective when one considers that the Royal Navy lost just 9.7% of its personnel!  Between September and December 1939, 126 British merchant ships were lost as a result of enemy action and whilst these figures dropped to 66 in the first quarter of 1940, the Admiralty’s prediction of higher losses bore fruit when 216 British ships were sunk in the third quarter of that year which rose to a staggering 263 vessels lost in the final quarter of that year. After the fall of France, this was mainly due to the increased effectiveness of submarines and the presence of long range bomber aircraft which were now based on the French Atlantic Coast. During this same period, numerous Allied vessels were also lost.

With the introduction of the Convoy system, where ships sailed together in a number of rows, the rear end ship of each row was designated as a Rescue Ship should a ship ahead of her be hit. If the rear end ship itself were hit, then it fell upon one of the Convoy Escort warships to conduct rescue operations. Despite the incipient reaction of seamen to rescue others whose ship had been lost whatever the circumstances, in wartime this sometimes became difficult to enforce as some merchant ships refused to stop to conduct rescue operations as this meant leaving the protection of the Convoy System especially in the cases of heavily-laden ships where they became a potential further loss with the concurrent loss of valuable and desperately needed cargoes. Furthermore, merchant ships, especially when in ballast, were not particularly manoeuvrable or well-suited to conduct such operations and nor were they fitted with suitable rescue equipment or additional accommodation to accommodate any rescued survivors.

This drain on experienced Merchant Navy personnel was of grave concern to the Admiralty, as although lost ships could be replaced by new-builds or acquisition from other sources, loss of personnel drew upon a finite resource. Moreover, the effect on morale amongst merchant seamen can also be imagined and obviously this state of affairs could not be allowed to continue.

On 22 September 1940, the Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches, Admiral Sir Martin Dunbar-Nasmith V.C., K.C.B., K.C.M.G., wrote to the Admiralty expressing his grave concerns at these unsatisfactory arrangements and he advocated the acquisition and introduction of enhanced specialised “Picking Up” ships, to follow astern of Convoys and to transfer from an outbound to an inbound Convoy along with the Convoy escorts. Initially the CRS accompanied an outbound Convoy for 3 – 5 days before then transferring to an inbound one. In the early days this involved the CRS loitering at the meeting point and during one such case, the first CRS was sunk.

The Admiralty acted with alacrity after the C-in-C’s letter and began requisitioning vessels through the offices of the Ministry of Shipping (which later became the Ministry of War Transport) and their Sea Transport Department. As far as possible, the aim was to have them commanded by Masters familiar with them and were mostly requisitioned from companies who were engaged in coastal work around the U.K. coastline and many were passenger carrying vessels too with a speed of 11-12 knots which enabled them to catch up with 10-knot Convoys after any rescue work.. Retaining their mercantile crews, these vessels nonetheless flew the Blue Ensign as non-commissioned Mercantile Fleet Auxiliaries (NOT Royal Fleet Auxiliaries as sometimes erroneously stated) . The ships were initially based at Greenock but this was soon after changed to the Principal Sea Transport Officer’s (PSTO) offices in Glasgow as this initial arrangement proved to be less than satisfactory. All eleven ships of the 1939 Clyde Shipping Co fleet were requisitioned, seven becoming Rescue Ships under the Sea Transport Division of the MoWT, four former London & North Eastern Railway Co steamers whilst two former General Steam Navigation Co vessels were re-acquired by the MoWT and placed under management of their former owners along with another four ships. All in all twenty nine vessels were taken up and whilst the earlier ships had minimal work done before being pressed into service, as the War progressed more facilities were added. They carried additional rescue boats and Carley floats, extra basic accommodation was added, water capacity was increased by the use of double bottoms, ships’ ranges were increased, scrambling nets were fitted, booms with nets rigged outboard at right angles to the ship could pick up seamen on drifting rafts, medical facilities were added which included a sick bay and separate operating theatre if space permitted and a naval surgeon and sick berth attendant(s) as well.

The first dedicated Rescue Ship sailed in her first Convoy on 9 October 1940, less than three weeks after the letter was received. This was the Clyde Shipping Co’s coastal steamer BEACHY which had but a swift alteration, with the provision of mattresses on gratings secured to the deck to accommodate any survivors and limited additional ablution and latrine facilities installed. This applied to all of the earlier conversions. BEACHY also undertook trials of special signal apparatus which was possibly a prototype HF/DF receiver. Certainly effective models of this equipment, known as HUFF-DUFF, became available in 1941 and with the later Rescue Ships’ size and displacement, this could also be fitted to them thus enabling cross bearings to be taken and passed to the Escorts, of the shortest transmissions on HF frequencies, usually by submarines. In this way valuable reinforcement of Convoy protection was obtained. BEACHY was sunk by aerial bombing nine months later. The small Dutch vessel HONTESTROOM came next, sailing on her first voyage on 10 January 1941, but numerous deficiencies led to her being returned to her owners as unsuitable for the task just over four months later. At the end of January 1941, after minimal work which involved the removal of her cattle fittings and the provision of mattresses on gratings on the deck, another unit in the Clyde Shipping Co’s fleet, the steamer TOWARD became the third Rescue Ship, sailing in her first Convoy on 26 January 1941. She was sunk by a U-boat just over twelve months later. Her sister COPELAND too joined the Rescue service, sailing in her first Convoy on 31 January 1941 but unlike her sister, she survived the War. The General Steam Navigation Co’s-managed sister ships ZAMALEK and ZAAFARAN which had in fact been owned by that Company until sold in 1934. Re-purchased by the MoWT in 1940, they were ready for service as Rescue Ships under management of their former owners on 26 February and 23 March 1941 respectively. ZAMALEK went on to claim the record for the highest number of rescues conducted and then had a sad ending, being sunk as a block ship in the Suez Canal during the 1956 Suez Crisis whilst her sister became another wartime casualty. The next early but larger conversion was the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co’s steamer PERTH which had already been requisitioned for service as an Accommodation Ship for workers at Rosyth Dockyard who were engaged in finishing work on the battleship KING GEORGE V. After completion of these duties, she was converted for her new role and sailed in her first Convoy on 05 May 1941. She survived the War.

Formation of the Rescue Service

The success of these six early Rescue Ships and the increase in the number of Convoys requiring escort, necessitated further requisition to provide the numbers needed. In June 1941 the PSTO for Scottish ports, the Head of the Rescue Ship organisation, appointed one of his Staff as Rescue Ship Officer to devote his whole time to the administration of the ships. He was later joined by a Technical Officer also. These later acquisitions benefited from the earlier experiences of rescue work and from the preparation of their conversion plans and direct control of the refits by the Rescue Service Staff. Despite active opposition from the MoWT, the Admiralty’s case for additional tonnage prevailed and further vessels were requisitioned for conversion. The Union Castle Line’s WALMER CASTLE was next. She had been used on her owner’s Southampton-Bremen-Hamburg feeder service and had already been requisitioned in 190 for use as an armed supply vessel based at Scapa Flow. She was taken up for conversion into a Rescue Ship in June 1941 to replace HONTESTROOM which had been retuned to her owners as being unsuitable and sailed in her first and only Convoy on 13 September 1941. Sadly she was bombed just a week later by a Focke Wulf Kondor operating out of Bordeaux and was badly damaged and set on fire with the loss of thirteen of her crew. After sixty four survivors had been rescued by the sloop HMS DEPTFORD and the corvette HMS MARIGOLD, the former feeder ship was sunk by gunfire from HMS MARIGOLD as she posed a danger to navigation. A sister to BEACHY, named RATHLIN, was also taken in hand for conversion, and sailed in her first Convoy on 3 October 1941. During the period of hostilities she rescued no fewer than six hundred and thirty four survivors before being handed back to her owners on completion of her wartime service. The small Faroese-registered steamer named TJALDUR, which had been seized as a Prize in June 1941 and allocated to the British Government a month later, was pressed into service despite the advice of PSTO Staff that she was really too small for the Rescue Service which she entered in October 1941 as the tenth Rescue Ship. Their misgiving proved to be correct and after just two months she was discarded as being unsuitable for the tasks involved. The former London & North East Railway steamer DEWSBURY was next to join the ever-growing Rescue Ship Fleet and sailed in her first Convoy on 1 December 1941. She was joined by her two sisters STOCKPORT, a replacement for her sister BLACKBURN which was lost on her maiden voyage, which sailed in her first Convoy on 21 December 1941 and BURY which sailed in her first Convoy on 31 December that year. The next acquisition was the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co Ltd steamer GOTHLAND which sailed in her first Convoy on 24 February 1942 followed by the Hull & Netherlands S.S. Co Ltd vessel MELROSE ABBEY which sailed in her first Convoy on 12 May that year. Both of these vessels served with distinction and survived the War. Next came a fourth former L & NER steamer ACCRINGTON, a sister to the earlier three acquisitions and she sailed in her first Convoy on 31 August 1942. All four ships were elderly ladies and leaked considerably in heavy weather with the consequent flooding of accommodation and working areas and even the machinery spaces, but constant work during their lay-over periods on the Clyde gradually eliminated these problems. STOCKPORT became a wartime casualty but the other three were returned to the owners on cessation of hostilities. The next steamer to sail in her first Convoy after conversion was the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland  Steam Navigation Co Ltd ST SUNNIVA which departed on 3 January 1943 only to founder on her first voyage.. Another sister to both TOWARD and COPELAND named GOODWIN she sailed in her first Convoy on 12 March 1943. She too survived the war. It was not until 9 August that year that another Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co Ltd steamer, DUNDEE, sailed in her first Convoy. FASTNET, the eigth steamer to be requisitioned for service as a Rescue Ship from the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd, sailed in her first Convoy on 11 October 1943 and became the twenyth Rescue Ship. She was returned to her owners on cessation of hostilities. She was quickly followed by her sister EDDYSTONE which sailed in he first Convoy on 23 October. The Aberdeen, Newcastle & Hull Steam Co Ltd steamer ABOYNE came next and sailed in her first Convoy on 13 November 1943. She had a long career which spanned twenty six years in total. Just under a month later the MacAndrew & Co steamer PINTO sailed in her first Convoy on 8 December and was lost when she was torpedoed and sunk in 1944. A week later the Prince Line steamer SYRIAN PRINCE sailed in her first Convoy on 15 December. Another North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Navigation Co vessel named ST CLAIR, a former running mate to the ill-fated ST SUNNIVA, sailed in her first Convoy on 18 July 1944. The final ships acquired had originally been designed as units of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes, orders for which commenced in December 1942. The lessening tempo of the submarine assault in late 1943 led to large order cancellations at the same time that the Admiralty wished to increase the Rescue Ship fleet so five were completed as Rescue Ships. The first of these conversions, renamed EMPIRE REST sailed in her first Convoy on 12 November 1944, followed by EMPIRE LIFEGUARD on 25 November, EMPIRE PEACEMAKER on 10 February 1945, EMPIRE COMFORT on 25 February and finally EMPIRE SHELTER on 17 April. All five ships saw service post-war as troop transports before all being scrapped by December 1955.

These little ships gave tremendous service and many of their crews were decorated for their efforts. These twenty nine ships covered around 2.5 million miles, conducted three hundred and ninety six round voyages and rescued close on four thousand two hundred seamen from British and Allied ships and this number also included four German sailors who were rescued by ZAMALEK from the submarine U-523 after she had been sunk and who required medical aid not available on any of the escorts.

Ships’ Pre and Post-War Career Details

Official Number            165246

Signal Letters:             GSJZ

Tonnages:                  1020 grt    832 nrt

Dimensions:                248.7 ft x 37.7 ft x 15.1 ft

Machinery:                  T 3 cyl 19” 32½” & 56” – 42” by J.G. Kincaid & Co Ltd, Greenock. 264 nhp. Speed 13 knots. Single shaft.

Career Data :

28/12/36                      launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N.364) as ABOYNE for the Aberdeen, Newcastle & Hull Steam Co Ltd (R.C. Cowper, Managers)

02/37                           completed.

24/06/43                      Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Smith’s Dock at Middlesbrough.

29/10/43                      conversion completed,

13/11/43                      sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 211 and over the next two years she escorted twenty six Convoys and rescued fourteen survivors from two sunken ships and three crashed aircrew from the British MACship EMPIRE MACCOLL and three from the Dutch MACShip GADILA

02/12/43                      sailed from New York in Convoy HX269 for Liverpool arriving on 16 December 1943 as a convoy rescue ship

15/06/45                      arrived Dundee on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

• Purchased by Clyde Shipping Co Ltd and renamed ARKLOW  
• Purchased by G Heyn & Sons and renamed FAIR HEAD

1954                             purchased by Palgrave Murphy Ltd and renamed CITY OF HAMBURG

1958                             purchased by Hellenic Med Lines and renamed LIGURIA

1960                             purchased by T & F Athanassiades and renamed THOMAS A

04/06/63                       suffered a fire in position 36.45N 14.35E.

18/06/63                       was beached near Scalambri

Official Number             127863

Signal Letters               GDMJ

Tonnages                     1678 grt    1098 nrt

Dimensions                   265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft

Machinery                     T. 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 12” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts

Single shaft.

Career Data

08/09                           ordered along with her sister DEWSBURY

07/06/10                       launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 565) as ACCRINGTON for the Great Central Railway.

08/10                           completed

1914 – 1918                 acted in various roles, including a P.O.W. accommodation ship and a naval munitions supply vessel, carrying munitions to France.

17/04/17 – 29/11/18     commissioned as an Admiralty training ship at Portsmouth.

11/18                          along with her sisters DEWSBURY and STOCKPORT she was chartered to the Great Eastern Railway for repatriation duties between Rotterdam and Harwich

01/01/23                      transfered to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name.

05/35                          associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.

04/03/42                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Wm Gray & Co Ltd at West Hartlepool.

26/07/42                      conversion completed.  

31/08/42                      sailed from the Clyde in Convoy OG 89 on her first voyage and during the next three years she escorted forty Convoys and rescued a total of one hundred and thirty two survivors from three sunken ships and three crashed aircrew from HMS BITER , three from HMS CAMPANIA and three from the MACship EMPIRE MACCALLUM.

18/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS 100 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

01/01/48                      transfered to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.

06/01/51                      final voyage Antwerp – Harwich after which she was laid up and sold for scrap shortly afterwards for £19,000. Replaced on the run by her sister DEWSBURY.

02/05/51                      arrived Dunston for demolition by Clayton & Davie Ltd.

Official Number           164102

Signal Letters             GZCK

Tonnages                  1600 grt    1170 nrt

Dimensions                 272.5 ft x 38.4 ft x 17.2 ft

Machinery                  T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12 kts.

01/10/36                      launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 551) as  BEACHY for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

12/36                           completed

09/10/40                      conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 226 and in a very short career as such, she escorted just five Convoys before being herself sunk.

11/01/41                      was bombed and sunk by aircraft in position 53.29 N 16.24 W approx five hundred miles West of Ireland with the loss of five of her crew of thirty eight. Those killed are remembered with pride on the Tower Hill Memorial

 image courtesy of Brian Watson

Official Number            132093

Signal Letters              GRNM

Tonnages                   1686 grt    1098 nrt

Dimensions                  265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft.

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts.

November 1909  ordered

3 November 1910 launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull ( Y.N. 569) as BURY for the Great Central Railway.

January 1911 completed.

4 August 1914 was seized by the Germans at Hamburg and her crew were interned at Ruhleben for the duration of WW1. She was used as an accommodation ship at Wilhelmshaven for the civilian pilots working for the Kriegsmarine up the Jade River Waterway into Jade Bay.

January 1919 was towed back to Grimsby and returned to her owners.

1 January 1923 transferred to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway Co, same name

May 1935  associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.

14 August 1941 requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Swan Hunter’s Neptune Yard on the Tyne.

27 December 1941 conversion completed.

31 December 1941 sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 52 and during the next four years she escorted forty eight Convoys and rescued two hundred and thirty seven survivors from nine sunken ships

26 June 1945 arrived Immingham on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

18 February 1946 Bosun William Russell BEM discharged dead. He is buried in Cleethorpes Cemetery in section AA grave H55

1 January 1948 transferred to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.

28 May 1958 last sailing from Hull – Rotterdam where she was sold to Dutch breakers.

1 July 1958 arrived New Waterway in tow of United Towing Co’s tug AIRMAN   for demolition by N.V. Machinehandel en Sleepsloperij “De Koophandel” at Nieuw Lekkerkerk.

Official Number             147874

Signal Letters               GJVW

Tonnages                    1526 grt    1150 nrt

Dimensions                   270.0 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.4 ft

Machinery                    T 3 cyl 21” 34” &56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Sped 12½ kts

18/06/23                      launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 284) as COPELAND for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

08/23                           completed

20/12/40                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd at Linthouse

29/01/41                      conversion completed.

31/01/41                      sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 280 and over the next four years she escorted seventyone Convoys and rescued two hundred and seventy survivors from ten sunken ships and a further one hundred and sixty three survivors who were transferred to her by the escort ships of Convoy PQ18.

01/06/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy ON 305 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

1945                            purchased by North Continental Shipping Co Ltd (G. Heyn & Sons, Managers) and renamed NORTH DOWN

1947                            purchased by Mountain S.S.Co Ltd (G Heyn & Sons, Managers) same name.

10/54                           purchased by Union International Co Ltd (Blue Star Line, Managers) and renamed DROVER

1954                            purchased by Belfast S.S. Co Ltd and renamed ULSTER HERDSMAN

05/10/63                      arrived Passage West for demolition by Haulbowline Industries Ltd.

Official Number            127859

Signal Letters              GRNK

Tonnages                   1678 grt    1103 nrt

Dimensions                  265.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 17.4 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts Single shaft.

Career Data:

08/09                          ordered along with her sister ACCRINGTON .

14/04/10                      launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 564) as DEWSBURY for the Great Central Railway.

06/10                           completed at a cost of £41,000.

17/06/10                      entered service

01/01/23                      Transfered to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name

05/35                           associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.

24/07/41                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson on the Tyne..

01/12/41                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON42 and over the next four years she escorted forty three Convoys and rescued five survivors from sunken ships.

26/06/45                      arrived Grimsby on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

01/01/48                      Transfered to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, name unchanged

31/01/59                      final sailing from Antwerp – Harwich.

10/03/59                      arrived Flushing for demolition by the Brussels Shipbreaking Co.

Official Number           144713

Signal Letters             GWRS

Tonnages                  1541 grt    1178 nrt

Dimensions                 283.8 ft x 42.1 ft x 15.8 ft.

Machinery                  T 3 cyl 20½” 35” & 59” – 42” by A. Stephen & Sons Ltd, Glasgow. 361 nhp. Speed 12½ knots. Single shaft.

28/12/33                      launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 345) as DUNDEE for the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co Ltd.

02/34                           completed.

18/04/43                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Amos & Smith Ltd at Hull.

08/08/43                      conversion completed.

09/08/43                      sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON196 and over the next two years she escorted twenty six Convoys and rescued eleven survivors from sunken ships.

06/45                           was returned to her owners on completion of her wartime service

1948                            transfered to the British & Continental S.S. Co Ltd and renamed DOTTEREL

28/08/61                      Arrived Bilbao for demolition.

Official Number           160177

Signal Letters             GNKJ

Tonnages                  1550 grt    1140 nrt

Dimensions                 270.5 ft x 37.1 ft x 17.2 ft

Machinery                  T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 33” by the shipbuilder. 180 nhp. Speed 12½ kts Single shaft.

12/07/27                      Launched by D & W Henderson & Co Ltd, Meadowside (Y.N. 787m) as

EDDYSTONE for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

15/09/27                      Completed.

22/04/43                      Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at London

22/10/43                      Conversion completed.

23/10/43                      Sailed from the Thames on her first voyage in Convoy FN 1159 and over the next 2 years she escorted 24 Convoys and rescued 61 survivors from a sunken American ship and 3 crashed aircrew from the MACship EMPIRE MACKAY.

10/06/45                      Arrived on the Clyde after an independent passage from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

1948                            Purchased by Belfast Mersey & Manchester S.S. Co Ltd and renamed BROOKMOUNT .

05/09/59                      Arrived Barrow for demolition by T.W. Ward Ltd

EMPIRE COMFORT

Official Number            169519

Signal Letters              GFZN

Tonnages                   1333 grt

Dimensions                  252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.

19/01/43                      Ordered

20/09/44                      launched by Ferguson Bros Ltd, Port Glasgow (Y.N. 372) as YORK CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 537

12/44                           construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE COMFORT under management of Ellerman City Lines.

25/02/45                      conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 113/KMS 87 and over the next few months she escorted eight Convoys where she initially took part in the Gibraltar and North Atlantic Convoys before WW2 ended.

27/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 356 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and was laid up on the Gareloch. She then became an accommodation ship for the 3 rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. After this she was utilised as a ferry on the U.K./ Hook of Holland service before proceeding to the Mediterranean where she transported personnel and refugees between Cyprus and Libya.

1954                            transfered to the MoT and was laid up in the River Fal.

07/55                           was towed to Antwerp after sale for reconditioning for further service in the Belgian Congo.

10/55                           intended service never materialised so was broken up by Jos de Smedt at Ghent.

EMPIRE LIFEGUARD

Official Number            169421

Signal Letters              GFZW

Tonnages                   1333grt

Dimensions                 252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.

9 December 1942 ordered

8 June 1944 launched by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley (Y.N. 664) as MAIDEN CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 443

November 1944 construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE LIFEGUARD under management of Ellerman City Lines

2 November 1944 her deployment and the deployment of four sister ships were signalled by the C in C Western Approaches and this was reported in the Admiralty War Diary of this date

25 November 1944 conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde to Liverpool for inspection by the Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches.

28 November 1944 sailed Liverpool for the Clyde nand suffered a major boiler accident on passage which required lengthy repairs.

8 March 1945 repairs finally completed, she sailed from the Clyde in Convoy OS 115 / KMS 89 and over the next two months she escorted just 6 Convoys before WW2 ended..

25/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX355 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service.

11/06/45                      was laid up in the Gareloch

08/10/45                      became an Accommodation Ship for the 3 rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. Afterwards reverted to the MoT and was employed as an Army Ferry on the U.K./Hook of Holland service before being sent to the Mediterranean.

23/07/47                      was holed after an underwater explosion in Haifa Harbour of limpet mines which had been fixed to her hull in Famagusta. She listed and sank soon after disembarking Jewish immigrants who had been brought from detention camps in Cyprus.

08/08/47                      was refloated.

22/08/47                      was towed to Port Said and docked there.

09/47                           repairs were finally completed, and during repairs she suffered three fires.

1954                            laid up in the River Fal

22/07/55                      arrived Antwerp in tow of the tug MARINIA (392/55)

10/55                           broken up by Jos de Smedt at Burght.

EMPIRE PEACEMAKER

Official Number             169428

Signal Letters               GJBT

Tonnages                    1333 grt

Dimensions                   252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft

Machinery                    T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.

23 January 1943             ordered

8 September 1944           launched by Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley (Y.N. 665) as SCARBOROUGH CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes Pennant Nr K 536

2 November 1944            her deployment and the deployment of four sister ships were signalled by the C in C Western Approaches and this was reported in the Admiralty War Diary of this date

January 1945                 construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE PEACEMAKER under management of Ellerman City Line

18 January 1945             sailed from the builder’s yard.

10 February 1945            conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 110 / KMS 84 and over the next three months she escorted eight Convoys and rescued three survivors from an aircraft which had overrun the flight deck of EMPIRE MACALPINE .

18 May 1945                  arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 354 from Halifax N.S.on completion of her wartime service and was laid up off Rosneath shortly afterwards. She then proceeded to Archangel to bring home the RN Party from there and finally served as an Army transport.

1954                             laid up in the River Fal.

July 1955                       sold to Belgian breakers and was towed to Antwerp

December 1955               broken up at Burght by Jos de Smedt.

EMPIRE REST

Official Number              169516

Signal Letters                GJCW

Tonnages                      1333 grt

Dimensions                    252.0 ft x 36.0 ft x 13.5 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.

9 December 1942            ordered

19 June 1944                  launched by Ferguson Bros Ltd, Port Glasgow (Y.N. 371) as RAYLEIGH CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 695

October 1944                  construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE REST under management of Ellerman City Line

26 October 1944              sailed from the builder’s yard

2 November 1944             her deployment and the deployment of four sister ships were signalled by the C in C Western Approaches and this was reported in the Admiralty War Diary of this date

12 November 1944           conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 95 /KMS 69 and over the next seven months she escorted eleven Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships

11 June 1945                  sailed Halifax independently to the River Clyde arriving 21 June 1945  on completion of her wartime service and was laid up

7 October 1945               sailed the River Clyde independently to Rosneath arriving the next day

1 November 1945            sailed the River Clyde to Kiel to embark naval personnel for disembarkation at Devonport and was then used as an Army transport

10 November 1945          sailed Keil independently to Devonport arriving 13 November 1945

13 November 1945          sailed Devonport independently to the River Clyde arriving 15 November 1945

22 December 1945          sailed the River Clyde independently to Southampton arriving 25 December 1945

22 February 1947           arrived at Port Said

3 October 1947              carried four hundred and one Jewish immigrants from Haifa to Cyprus

17 May 1948                  arrived at Haifa

July 1948                       laid up in the River Fal.

30 August 1949 and 13 September 1949 the MoT advertised for offers for the ship in the Times of these days. The vessel was lying at Falmouth 

October 1951                  purchased by Lloyds Albert Yard & Motor Boat Packet Services Ltd (R.A. Beazeley, Managers)

6 June 1952                    arrived Briton Ferry for demolition by T.W. Ward Ltd..

EMPIRE SHELTER

Official Number              169520

Signal Letters                GJCZ

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 18½” 31” & 38½- 30”. 2889 ihp. Speed 16½knots. 2 shafts.

19 January 1943              ordered.

5 October 1944               launched by Geo.Brown & Co (Marine) Ltd, Greenock (Y.N. 230) as BARNARD CASTLE for the Royal Navy as a unit of the CASTLE CLASS of corvettes. Pennant Nr K 694

2 November 1944                   her deployment and the deployment of four sister ships were signalled by the C in C Western Approaches and this was reported in the Admiralty War Diary of this date

March 1945                    construction cancelled; completed for the MoWT as EMPIRE SHELTER under management of Ellerman City Line

12 March 1945                was registered at Greenock

27 March 1945                sailed from the builder’s yard.

17 April 1945             conversion completed as a Convoy Rescue Ship, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 123 / KMS 97 and over the next month she escorted six Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.

22 May 1945                   arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS101 on completion of her wartime service and was laid up for a short while before becoming an Accommodation Ship, along with her sister EMPIRE COMFORT for the 3rd Submarine Flotilla based on HMS FORTH in the Holy Loch. She afterwards served as an army transport in the Mediterranean. Laid up in the River Fal.

29 July 1955 arrived Antwerp in tow of MARINIA  after sale to Belgian breakers.

September 1955 broken up at Burght by Jos de Smedt.

Official Number           160191

Signal Letters             GNRD

Tonnages                  1415 grt    1045 nrt

Dimensions                 249.8 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.2 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 20” 33” & 53” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 175 nhp. Speed 12½ kts.

24/11/27                      Launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 315) as FASTNET for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

02/28                           Completed

14/06/43                      Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship

07/10/43                      Conversion completed.

11/10/43                      Sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 206 and over the next 2 years she escorted 25 Convoys and rescued 35 survivors from one sunken ship, the Norwegian FJORDHEIM

01/06/45                      Arrived on the Clyde on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

1949                            Offered for sale by her owners

1950                            Tx to the Belfast, Mersey & Manchester Shipping Co Ltd , part of Coast Lines and renamed GREYPOINT.

28/08/57                      Arrived Preston for demolition

02/09/57                      Demolition commenced by T. W. Ward Ltd

Official Number           137845

Signal Letters              GFLX

Tonnages                   1570 grt    1160 nrt

Dimensions                 270.3 ft x 37.2 ft x 17.3 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12½ kts

Single shaft

04/17                           launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 244) as GOODWIN for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

05/17                           completed

12/42                           requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Hull

12/03/43                      sailed from Hull for the Clyde in Convoys FN 975 and EN 209

12/04/43                      conversion completed as a CRS, she sailed from the Clyde in Convoy ON 188 and over the next two years she escorted twenty five Convoys and rescued one hundred and thirty three survivors from four sunken ships plus three crashed aircrew from HMCS SHERBROOKE

21/06/45                      arrived on the Clyde after an independent passage from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

1946                            purchased by G Heyn & Sons Ltd and renamed NORTH TIPPERARY

1947                            purchased by Saorstat and Continental S.S. Co Ltd and renamed CITY OF CORK  Owners became Palgrove Murphy Ltd

21/05/55                      arrived Dublin for demolition by the Hammond Lane Foundry Ltd

Official Number           161829

Signal Letters              MJMS

Tonnages                   1286 grt    968 nrt

Dimensions                 251.5 ft x 38.2 ft x 15.9 ft

Machinery                   T 3 cyl212 34” & 56” – 39” by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd, Glasgow.196 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.

09/02/32                      Launched by H Robb Ltd, Leith (Y.N. 192) as GOTHLAND for the Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co Ltd (J Currie & Co, Managers)

03/32                           Completed

11/41                           Requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Plymouth.

05/02/42                      Conversion completed.

24/02/42                      She sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 80  and over the next 3 years she escorted 41 Convoys and rescued 146 survivors from 7 sunken ships and also 3 crashed aircrew from the MACship RAPANA .

06/06/45                      Arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 358 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners. Purchased by the Claymore Shipping Co and renamed ASRAR .

17/04/61                      Arrived Perama for demolition

HONTESTROOM

Official Number

Signal Letters              PRSY

Tonnages                   1857 grt    1496 nrt

Dimensions                 265.5 ft x 37.2 ft x 20.2 ft

Machinery                  T 3 cyl 21” 33” & 57” – 39” by Maats. Fyenoord, Rotterdam. 203 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.

04/21                           completed by N.V. Haarlemsche Scheepsb. Mij, Haarlem (Y.N. 59) as HONTESTROOM for Hollandsche Stoomboot Mij

01/10/40                      requisioned at Fowey for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Bristol.

10/01/41                      conversion completed as a CRS, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 272 over the next four months she escorted eleven Convoys and rescued sixtynine survivors from three sunken ships.

27/05/41                      arrived Reykjavik and owing to deficiencies in accommodation and basic facilities she was withdrawn from service as a CRS and returned to her owners

15/03/43                      Was wrecked on Skage Reef in Iceland.

MELROSE ABBEY

Official Number               160830

Signal Letters                 GSYW

Tonnages                       1908 grt    1247 nrt

Dimensions                      281.3 ft x 38.2 ft x 17.3 ft

Machinery                       T 3 cyl 21½” 37” & 64” – 42” by the shipbuilder 474 nhp. Speed 14 Kts. Single shaft.  

28/02/29                      launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N. 674) as MELROSE ABBEY for the Hull & Netherlands S.S. Co Ltd (London & North Eastern Railway Co)

04/29                          completed

23/04/29                      delivered and placed on her owner’s Hull – Rotterdam service

5/35                            associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the Fleet.

2/41                           requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship

31/03/41                     ran aground on Newburgh Minch beach and due to a combination of weather delaying salvage and a drifting mine exploding alongside the stranded ship, she remained fast for the next 4 months.

26/07/41                      was finally refloated and was towed to Aberdeen for repairs.

11/02/43                      arrived on the Clyde for conversion by T. Tennerhill & Co.

12/05/43                      conversion completed she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 94 and over the next two years she escorted fortysix Convoys and rescued eighty five survivors from five sunken ships.

28/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy MKS 102 on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

01/01/48                      Tx to the British Transport Commission Eastern Region, same name.

04/58                           was renamed MELROSE ABBEY 11 to release her former name for a new ship.

01/59                           Was replaced by her new namesake and was laid up at Humber Dock in Hull.

04/59                           purchased by Typaldos Bros and rebuilt into a cruise ship renamed KRITI.

12/66                           following the HERAKLION disaster, she was laid up near Piraeus

1980                            was broken up at Perama

Official Number              123346

Signal Letters               GQXB

Tonnages                     2208 grt    1370 nrt

Dimensions                   280.2 ft x 40.2 ft x19.8 ft

Machinery                    T 3 cyl 24½” 39” & 64” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 345 nhp. Speed 12½ kts.

15/02/15                      launched by Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Dundee (Y.N. 240) as PERTH for the Dundee, Perth & London Shipping Co

07/15                           completed. Was requisitioned for service as an Armed Boarding Vessel in the Red Sea.

1919                            was returned to her owners.

14/10/40                      requisitioned for service as an Accommodation Ship for shipyard workers at Rosyth who were engaged in finishing work on the battleship HMS KING GEORGE V .

05/05/41                      on completion of the above she was allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 61. Over the next three years she escorted sixty Convoys and rescued four hundred and thirty nine survivors from twelve sunken ships plus three crashed aircrew from HMS BITER and three from the MACship EMPIRE MACANDREW ..

21/05/45                      rrrived on the Clyde in Convoy SC 175 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners

1946                            purchased by the Falkland Islands Co and renamed LAFONIA.

1950                            purchased by Lloyd Mediterraneo and renamed VALFIORITA.

08/11/62                      arrived Porto Nogaro for demolition

Official Number              149659

Signal Letters                GNJZ

Tonnages                      1346 grt    1055 nrt

Dimensions                    270.1 ft x 39.1. ft x 15.6 ft

Machinery                     1 x 6 cyl 24 – 51 diesel engine by the shipbuilder. 356 nhp. Speed 12kts. Single shaft.

22/11/27                      launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan (Y.N. 744g) as PINTO for MacAndrews & Co.

02/02/28                      completed

09/07/43                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow By Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.

08/12/43                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OS 61 / KMS 35. During the next 9 months she escorted 10 Convoys and rescued just 2 survivors from 1 sunken ship before being herself torpedoed the same day.

08/09/44                      having just rescued survivors from the torpedoed whale factory ship EMPIRE HERITAGE NNE of Tory Island, she herself was torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-482 in position 55.27 N 08.01 W, while on passage from Halifax N.S. to Greenock in Convoy HXF 305 with the loss of twenty one of her crew.

Official Number             164098

Signal Letters               MMBJ

Tonnages                    1600 grt    1170 nrt

Dimensions                   272.5 ft x 38.4 ft x 17.2 ft

Machinery                    T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed 12½ kts. Single shaft.

03/09/36                      launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 55) as RATHLIN for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd.

11/36                           completed.

28/07/41                      requisitioned for service as a Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd with the assistance of T. Tannerhill & Co.

03/10/41                      conversion completed, she sailed on her first voyage from the Clyde in Convoy ON 22 to Iceland. Over the next four years she escorted forty seven Convoys and rescued six hundred and thirty four survivors from thirteen sunken ships including six Russian Convoys including the infamous PQ 17.

30/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy RA 67 from the Kola Inlet on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners

1953                            purchased by Burns & Laird Lines Ltd and renamed LAIRDSCRAIG

1980                            purchased by British & Irish Steam Packet Co and renamed GLENGARIFF

30/12/63                      arrived Passage West for demolition by Haulbowline Industries Ltd after sale for £12,500.

Official Number              165247

Signal Letters                MMFX

Tonnages                     1637 grt    922 nrt

Dimensions                    253.4 ft x 38.1 ft x 15.4 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 20” 35” & 59” – 39”  by the shipbuilder. 348 nhp. Speed 14 kts. Single shaft.

29/12/36                      launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Y.N. 742) as ST CLAIR for the North of Scotland, Shetland & Orkney Steam Nav Co.

27/04/37                      completed.

06/05/37                      maiden voyage from Leith – Aberdeen – Orkney – Shetland

21/07/40                      requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as a Base and Accommodation Ship and was renamed HMS BALDUR . She took part in the occupation of Iceland and was stationed at Reykjavik.

10/43                    relieved at Reykjavik and proceeded to Aberdeen for conversion into a Convoy Rescue Ship by her original builders and reverted to her previous name.

18/07/44                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 245 to Halifax N.S. and for the next few months she escorted fourteen Convoys but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.

08/06/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy SC 177 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners

1960                            was renamed ST CLAIR 11 and then ST MAGNUS

1966                            was renamed ST MAGNUS 11

30/03/67 – 01/04/67       completed her final voyage.

04/67                           arrived Bruges for demolition by Van Heyghen Freres.

Official Number               162280

Signal Letters                 GQTS

Tonnages                       1368 grt    761 nrt

Dimensions                     240.0 ft x 35.0 ft x 23.8 ft

Machinery                      T 3 cyl 20” 33½” & 56” – 36” by the shipbuilder. 255 nhp. Speed 12 knots. Single shaft.

02/04/31                      launched by Hall, Russell & Co Ltd, Aberdeen (Y.N. 723) as ST SUNNIVA for the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Nav Co Ltd.

05/31                           completed

29/08/39                      requisitioned by the Admiralty for service as an Accommodation Ship.

20/09/42                      allocated as a Convoy Rescue Ship to replace the lost ZAAFARAN (q.v.) and was converted by Amos & Smith Ltd at Hull.

07/12/42                      arrived on the Clyde.

03/01/43                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her one and only voyage in Convoy ON 158 to Halifax N.S.

22/01/43                      lost, cause unknown but probably icing due to the extreme cold causing her to capsize without warning just two days out of Halifax with the loss of all hands.

Official Number               132111

Signal Letters                GRNL

Tonnages                      1683 grt    1098 nrt

Dimensions                    265.0 ft x 86.0 ft x 17.4 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 22” 35” & 60” – 42” by the shipbuilder. 309 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft.

12/10                           ordered as a replacement for her sister BLACKBURN which had been lost on her maiden voyage.

15/05/11                      launched by Earle’s Co Ltd, Hull (Y.N.577) as STOCKPORT for the Great Central Railway.

07/11                           completed

11/18                           was chartered to the Great Eastern Railway, along with her sisters ACCRINGTON and DEWSBURY for repatriation duties between Rotterdam and Harwich.

01/01/23                      Tx to the newly-formed London & North Eastern Railway, same name.

05/35                           Associated Humber Lines was formed to manage the ships of the L & NER.

08/07/41                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted by Messrs J R Evans at Liverpool.

21/12/41                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 49 and over the next couple of years she escorted sixteen Convoys and rescued three hundred and twenty two survivors from nine known sunken ships plus a further ninety one survivors from various ships which were sunk in Convoy ON 166 before she herself was sunk whilst trying to rejoin the remnants of that Convoy.

23/02/43                      torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U–604 in position 47.22 N 24.10W to the East of Cape Race whilst on passage from Greenock – St John’s NFL with the loss of all one hundred and sixty four persons aboard.

SYRIAN PRINCE

Official Number               165353

Signal Letters                 GZGZ

Tonnages                      1990 grt    1432 nrt

Dimensions                     296.5 ft x 44.2 ft x 16.4 ft

Machinery                      T 3 cyl 19” 31” & 55” – 36” by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Hartlepool. 315 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.

30/03/36                      laid down

01/10/36                      launched by Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill (Y.N. 262) as SYRIAN PRINCE for Prince Line Ltd (Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, Managers)

12/36                           completed at a cost of £65,000.

07/43                           requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Hull by Amos & Smith Ltd.

15/12/43                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ONS 25 and over the next two years she escorted nineteen Convoys, including one to North Russia, but was not called upon to rescue any survivors from sunken ships.

16/05/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 353 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

1959                            purchased by D.T. Petropoulos and renamed SUNNY MED

1964                            purchased by Methinitis Bros and renamed DINOS

25/10/69                      arrived Savona for demolition

Official Number           145024

Signal Letters                GYSD

Tonnages                      1130 grt    912 nrt

Dimensions                    220.3 ft x 32.7 ft x 17.3 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 17” 27” & 45” – 30” by the shipbuilder. 166 nhp. Speed 12 kts. Single shaft.

08 June 1916                 launched by Kjobnhvns Flydk & Skbs, Copenhagen (Y.N. 126) as ST THOMAS for Det Ostasiatiske Kompagni.

October 1916                completed

1920                            purchased by United Baltic Corp Ltd and renamed BALTANNIC

1925                            purchased by P/Skipafelagid Foroyar and renamed TJALDUR

16 June 1941                 seized as a Prize in the Faroes

21 June 1941                 sailed the Faroes independently to Kirkwall arriving 23 June 1941 

1 July 1941                    sailed Kirkwall in convoy EC39 to Glasgow arriving 4 July 1941 

July 1941                       released to the British Govt by the Prize Court and came under MoWT control under management of the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd. Was requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Glasgow by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.

27 October 1941             conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy ON 30 but was sent back the following day as it became apparent that she could only make less than half of the Convoy speed.

10 November 1941           sailed the Clyde in convoy ON35 – arrived short of bunkers at Reykjavik

18 November 1941           sailed from Reykjavik independently but returned there arriving 22 November 1941

3 December 1941            sailed Reykjavik independently to the River Clyde arriving 8 December 1941

24 December 1941           sailed the River Clyde in convoy ON50 but returned on 26 December 1941 with defects and was withdrawn as a CRS and returned to the MoWT. She was pllaced under management of the North of Scotland, Orkney & Shetland Steam Nav Co Ltd.

20 May 1941                  sailed Methil in convoy EN87

22 May 1942                  sailed Kirkwall in convoy WN286 to Aberdeen arriving 23 May 1942

23 June 1942                  sailed Methil in convoy EN101 to Kirkwall arriving on the next day

13 July 1942                   sailed Aberdeen in convoy EN110 to Kirkwall arriving the next day

17 July 1942                   sailed Kirkwall in convoy WN310 to Methil

11 June 1943                  sailed Aberdeen in convoy EN241 to Scapa Flow arriving 13 Jun 1943

27 June 1946                  was wrecked in position 62.07 N 06.35 W.

Official Number              147862

Signal Letters                GJVX

Tonnages                      1571 grt    1164 nrt

Dimensions                    270.2 ft x 37.2 ft x 172 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 21” 34” & 56” – 30” by the shipbuilder. 196 nhp. Speed  12½ kts    Single shaft

Career Data.

29/05/23                      launched by Alexander Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse (Y.N. 502) as TOWARD for the Clyde Shipping Co Ltd

06/23                           completed

14/12/40                      requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship

26/01/41                      Conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OG 51 and over the next two years she escorted forty five Convoys and rescued three hundred and thirty seven survivors from ten sunken ships before she herself was sunk

07/02/43                      Torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U402 S.E. of Cape Farewell in position 54.55 N 26.05 W while on passage from Halifax N.S.to Greenock in Convoy SC 118 with the loss of forty three of her crew while twenty eight were rescued by the corvette HMS MIGNONETTE and were landed at Londonderry

WALMER CASTLE

Official Number           165337

Signal Letters             GZDF

Tonnages                   906 grt   681 nrt

Dimensions                 236.2 ft x 39.3 ft x 12.5 ft

Machinery                   1 x 8 cyl 19“– 35“ by the shipbuilder. 539 nhp. Speed 12½kts. Single shaft.

17/09/36                      launched by Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast (Y.N. 983) as WALMER CASTLE for the Union Castle Mail Steamship Co Ltd.

30/11/36                      completed

1940                            requisitioned for service as an Armed Supply Ship based at Scapa Flow

1941                            allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship to replace HONTESTROOM (q.v.)

12/09/41                      conversion completed.

13/09/41                      sailed from the Clyde on her first and only voyage in Convoy OG 74 and in the next week she rescued 81 survivors from 3 sunken ships before herself being sunk.

21/09/41                      was attacked and sunk by a FW200 aircraft about 700 miles West of Ushant in position 47.16 N 22.25 W which made several attacks and on the 4 th attack the ship was heavily hit by bombs. Eleven of her Crew and twenty of the survivors from other ships were lost whilst sixty four other survivors were taken aboard the sloop HMS DEPTFORD and the corvette HMS MARIGOLD who then sank the stricken vessel with gunfire as she posed a danger to navigation..

Official Number              146164

Signal Letters                GLSG

Tonnages                     1563 grt    1103 nrt

Dimensions                    270.4 ft x 39.2 ft x 14.9 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 28” 37½ & 60” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 292 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft.

24/02/21                      launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon (Y.N. 371) as PHILOMEL for the General Steam Navigation Co

11/21                           completed

1934                            purchased by the Khedivial Mail S.S. & Graving Dock Co Ltd (Lord E Hamilton, Manager) and renamed ZAAFARAN

Between 10/36 and 6/37 employed on her owners service Alexandria, Port Said, Jaffa, Haifa, Beirut, Tripoli, Lattakia (optional), Mersin, Alexandretta. Return voyages: Alexandretta, Tripoli, Beirut, Larnaca (optional), Haifa, Jaffa, Port Said, Alexandria.

10/40                           purchased and requisitioned for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Barry by Messrs Bailey.

23/03/41                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 301 and over the next eighteen months or so she escorted twenty six Convoys and rescued two hundred and twenty survivors from seven sunken ships before being herself sunk

05/07/42                      was attacked by an aircraft in position 75.00 N 43.40 E whilst escorting Convoy PQ 17 along with her sister ZAMALEK and RATHLIN and was straddled by a stick of three bombs which caused extensive damage but incredibly only one person was killed. The remaining sixty one of her crew and the thirty six survivors from other ships aboard were rescued by ZAMALEK.

Official Number              146134

Signal Letters                BFWP

Tonnages                     1566 grt    1105 nrt

Dimensions                   270.4 ft x 39.2 ft x 14.9 ft

Machinery                     T 3 cyl 28” 37½ & 60” – 39” by the shipbuilder. 292 nhp. Speed 13 kts. Single shaft

29/10/20                      launched by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Troon (Y.N. 370) as HALYCON for the General Steam Navigation Co Ltd

10/21                           completed

1934                            purchased by the Khedivial Mail S.S. & Graving Dock Co Ltd (Lord E Hamilton, manager) and renamed ZAMALEK

10/36 and 6/37 employed by her owners on Alexandria, Port Said, Jaffa, Haifa, Beirut, Tripoli, Lattakia (optional), Mersin, Alexandretta. Return voyages: Alexandretta, Tripoli, Beirut, Larnaca (optional), Haifa, Jaffa, Port Said, Alexandria

1939                            re-purchased by the MoT and placed under the management of General Steam Navigation Co Ltd, same name

03/40                           requisitioned by the Admiralty

10/40                           allocated for service as a Convoy Rescue Ship and was converted at Govan by Barclay, Curle & Co Ltd.

26/02/41                      conversion completed, she sailed from the Clyde on her first voyage in Convoy OB 291 and over the next four years she escorted sixty eight Convoys and rescued a total of six hundred and sixty five survivors (the highest number of rescues of all of the CRS’s) from nineteen sunken ships, including two hundred and sixteen from seven ships sunk in Convoy PQ 17 (also escorted by her sister ZAAFARAN and her consort RATHLIN ) and even four from German submarine U–523 which had also been sunk.

03/06/45                      arrived on the Clyde in Convoy HX 357 from Halifax N.S. on completion of her wartime service and for return to her owners.

05/11/56                      she was scuttled by the Egyptians in Suez Harbour during the Suez Crisis as a blockship and was finally cut up during clearance operations the following year.

Bibliography

Greenway A                 A Century of North Sea Passenger Steamers

Hague A                      Convoy Rescue Ships 1940 – 1945

Haws D                        Britain’s Railway Steamers

Lenton H T                   British and Empire Warships of the Second World War

Lloyds Register               Lloyds Registers of Shipping (various years)

Middlemiss  N                 Coast Lines

Mitchell and Sawyer        The Empire Ships

Robins N                       Birds of the Sea – 150 Years of the General Steam Navigation Company

Tennant A J                  British and Commonwealth Merchant Ship Losses to Axis Submarines 1939 – 1945

World Ship Society        Marine News (various years)

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CONVOY CRUISE LTD

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   1942 Sailings       WS 15     The convoy sailed from Liverpool (10.1) and the Clyde (11.1), and finally formed up off Oversay on 12.1.42 in the formation shown below:   11C PORT CHALMERS   21L EMPIRE WOODLARK   31 HMS RESOLUTION   41C STRATHMORE (Commodore)   51C STAFFORDSHIRE   61C AUTOLYCUS   71C PARDO   12L MELBOURNE STAR   22L OTRANTO   32C HMS CHESHIRE   42C BRITANNIC   52C VICEROY OF INDIA   62C HNethMS COLOMBIA   72C DORSET   13L ELISABETH BAKKE   23L ORONTES   33C HMS ASCANIA   43C LACONIA   53C STRATHNAVER (Vice Commodore)   63C CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS   73C LLANGIBBY CASTLE     24L ARAWA   34 HNethMS HEEMSKERK   44C STIRLING CASTLE   54C PASTEUR   64L LETITIA   74C AAGTEKERK     The A/S escort force was made up of the destroyers shown below:   VANOC and WALKER 12 to 15.1, VANQUISHER, VOLUNTEER and WITHERINGTON 12 to 17.1, ANTHONY 17 to 18.1, GARLAND and NORMAN 17 to 25.1, VANSITTART and VIMY 21 to 25.1.   Ocean escort, other than as shown above, was provided by the armed merchant cruisers ASCANIA and CHESHIRE, the Dutch AA cruiser HEEMSKERK and the destroyer BOREAS from 12 to 25.1, while the battleship RESOLUTION joined on 17.1 to 25.1, the convoy arriving at Freetown 25.1.42.   The first casualty for some time in WS convoys, and the first due to submarine attack, took place on 16.1 when LLANGIBBY CASTLE was hit right aft by a torpedo from U 402. She retired damaged to Ponta Delgada from whence, under escort and accompanied by a tug, she returned to Gibraltar and then to the UK for repairs.   A number of the warships listed as ocean escort were in fact on passage to the Indian Ocean for duty; also included was the Turkish destroyer DEMIR HISAR, recently completed in Britain. She was temporarily commissioned with a British crew for the delivery passage and operated as part of the escort.   The convoy sailed from Freetown 29.1 with its formation unchanged, escorted by the battleship RESOLUTION, armed merchant cruiser CHESHIRE and destroyer DEMIR HISAR for Capetown off which port it arrived 9.2 when DORSET, ELISABETH BAKKE, LACONIA, ORONTES and PASTEUR plus the Dutch submarine depot ship COLOMBIA were detached to enter Capetown under escort of RESOLUTION, arriving 10.2 while the remainder of the convoy went on to Durban, arriving 13.2, accompanied by the armed merchant cruisers DUNNOTTAR CASTLE and WORCESTERSHIRE and the sloop MILFORD.   The five Capetown ships (ELISABETH BAKKE remained at Capetown) sailed 14.2 escorted by the armed merchant cruiser CHESHIRE and made their rendezvous with the Durban contingent (less ARAWA and LETITIA) off that port on 17.2   The escort from Durban consisted of the cruiser CERES , and the destroyer NORMAN with the CHESHIRE from Capetown.   During the northward passage, a three part division of the convoy took place:       WS 15A     DORSET, LACONIA, MELBOURNE STAR, ORONTES, OTRANTO, PASTEUR and VICEROY OF INDIA detached 26.2 escorted to the vicinity of Aden by the cruisers CERES and COLOMBO , dispersing off Aden 1.3.42 to proceed independently to Suez.       WS 15B     BRITANNIC, STIRLING CASTLE and STRATHMORE detached on 26.2 and proceeded to Bombay escorted by the armed merchant cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE which was joined on 28.2 by the CORFU until 2.3, the convoy arriving at Bombay 4.3.   The remaining ships of the convoy formed the third reinforcement convoy for Singapore under the title:       DM 3     This convoy was composed of the ships shown below, and formed on 22.2:   11 PORT CHALMERS   21 STRATHNAVER (Commodore)   31 STAFFORDSHIRE   12 AUTOLYCUS   22 EMPIRE WOODLARK   32 PARDO   13 HNethMS COLOMBIA   23 CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS   33 AAGTEKERK     The convoy was escorted by the battleship RAMILLIES and the destroyer NORMAN, both of which joined 22.2.   Singapore had, of course, surrendered while the Capetown ships were on their way to Durban; the orders for the convoy were therefore amended prior to the Durban sailing to proceed to Batavia to bolster the Allied garrison of the East Indies islands. Even this intention was overtaken by the Japanese advance, and the convoy was again diverted to Colombo, no doubt to the immense relief of all onboard.   The escort left the convoy to fuel at Addu Atoll on 28.2 and rejoined 29.2, on which day the armed merchant cruiser CORFU also joined the escort.   Orders were again changed on 2.3, CORFU to detach at once with AAGTEKERK, CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS, EMPIRE WOODLARK, PORT CHALMERS and STRATHANAVER to proceed to Bombay, arriving there 6.3.42. RAMILLIES and NORMAN took the remaining ships, of which STAFFORDSHIRE now became Commodore, to Colombo where they arrived 4.3       WS 16     The next convoy of the series assembled off Oversay on 17.2.42, having sailed from Liverpool and the Clyde (on 16.2):   11L DENBIGHSHIRE   21L MONARCH OF BERMUDA   31L DELFTDIJK   41C STRATHEDEN (Commodore)   51C VOLENDAM   61C POTARO   12L CITY OF LINCOLN   22L STRATHAIRD   32L DUCHESS OF RICHMOND   42C NEA HELLAS (Vice Commodore)   52C DUCHESS OF YORK   62C CITY OF EDINBURGH   13C PORT JACKSON   23L AWATEA   33L MOOLTAN   43C EMPIRE PRIDE   53C ORMONDE   63C BRISBANE STAR (Rear Commodore)       34L SIBAJAK   44L CUBA   54C BERGENSFJORD       STRATHAIRD sailed late, delayed with defects, and finally joined the convoy 21.2 under the escort of cruiser NEWCASTLE and destroyer PALADIN. CITY OF EDINBURGH and CITY OF LINCOLN both had problems with shifting cargo and returned to the Clyde and Liverpool respectively. POTARO also fell out 18.2 but proceeded to Freetown independently where she rejoined the convoy.   Escort from Oversay comprised:   The battleship MALAYA , aircraft carrier EAGLE , cruiser HERMIONE and destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, BLANKNEY, CROOME, DUNCAN, FIREDRAKE, LAFOREY and LIGHTNING from 17 to 21.2, destroyers VERITY, WALKER and WITHERINGTON 17 to 22.2, aircraft carrier FORMIDABLE (she was on passage overseas), cruiser NEWCASTLE and destroyer PALADIN 21.2 to 1.3, destroyers BOREAS, BRILLIANT and WILD SWAN 26.2 to 1.3.    The carrier ARGUS also took passage with the convoy en route to Gibraltar with fighter aircraft for the reinforcement of Malta.   The convoy arrived at Freetown 1.3.42.   The convoy sailed from Freetown, its merchant ship composition unchanged, on 6.3 escorted locally by the corvette NIGELLA for one day, the destroyers BRILLIANT and WILD SWAN to 8.3, the corvette JASMINE until 12.3 and the sloop BRIDGEWATER to 18.3. The cruiser NEWCASTLE provided the major escort until 17.3, the date on which the convoy split off Capetown, when the armed merchant cruisers CHESHIRE and DUNNOTTAR CASTLE and the sloop MILFORD joined.   BERGENSFJORD, BRISBANE STAR, DELFTDIJK, DENBIGHSHIRE, NEA HELLAS, PORT JACKSON, POTARO and SIBAJAK entered Capetown under the local escort of the corvettes FREESIA and FRITILLARY. The remaining merchant ships went on to Durban escorted by the armed merchant cruisers CHESHIRE, DUNNOTTAR CASTLE and WORCESTERSHIRE (which relieved MILFORD on 17.3), arriving at Durban 21.3.   The Capetown ships sailed on 22.3, escorted by the cruiser NEWCASTLE and the sloop MILFORD, and met the Durban vessels, excluding MONARCH OF BERMIDA, MOOLTAN and STRATHAIRD which remained in port, off Durban on 25.3. The convoy, its escort reinforced by the cruiser GLASGOW and armed merchant cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE from Durban, proceeded northward; NEWCASTLE detached at midnight on 25.3. On 1.4 the cruiser COLOMBO and armed merchant cruiser ALAUNIA relieved the escort and on 3.4 the convoy divided into the Aden and Bombay portions.   The combined convoy steamed in the following formation:   11 NEA HELLAS (Vice Commodore)   21 DUCHESS OF RICHMOND   31 STRATHEDEN (Commodore)   41 EMPIRE PRIDE   51 BRISBANE STAR (Rear Commodore)   12 BERGENSFJORD   22 DUCHESS OF YORK   32 AWATEA   42 PORT JACKSON   52 DENBIGHSHIRE   13 VOLENDAM     33 SIBAJAK   43 DELFTDIJK   53 POTARO     Commodore ships remained as previously.       WS 16A      BERGENSFJORD, NEA HELLAS and VOLENDAM formed the Aden convoy escorted by COLOMBO from the splitting position on 3.4 until dispersed off Aden 6.4.42 after which the ships went to Suez as independents.       WS 16B     The Bombay detacchment steamed in the following order from 3.4.   11 POTARO   21 DUCHESS OF RICHMOND   31 STRATHEDEN   41 EMPIRE PRIDE   51 BRISBANE STAR   12 DELFTDIJK   22 DUCHESS OF YORK   32 AWATEA   42 PORT JACKSON   52 DENBIGHSHIRE       33 SIBAJAK         escorted by ALAUNIA and WORCESTERSHIRE (which joined at the splitting position) and duly arrived at Bombay 8.4.42.       WS 17     The convoy assembled off Oversay 23.3.42 in the following formation, final departure being made from Liverpool and the Clyde:   11C GLAUCUS   21C LEOPOLDVILLE   31C ABOSSO (Vice Commodore)   41C TAMAROA   51C FRANCONIA (Commodore)   61C ALMANZORA   71C MATAROA   81C LARGS BAY   12C PORT WYNDHAM   22C SAMARIA   32L EMPRESS OF RUSSIA   42L DUCHESS OF ATHOLL   52C ORION   62C CAMERONIA   72C SOBIESKI   82C BHUTAN 82C REMBRANDT (same position number)   13C KINA II   23C JOHAN VAN OLDENBARNEVELT   33L ORONSAY   43L DOMINION MONARCH   53C WINDSOR CASTLE   63C HMS KARANJA   73C HMS ADAMANT     14C DUNEDIN STAR   24C CITY OF LINCOLN   34L ARUNDEL CASTLE   44C WINCHESTER CASTLE   54C NIEUW HOLLAND   64C HMS KEREN   74C CLAN MACDONALD   84C CITY OF EDINBURGH     Escorts during the passage were:   destroyers NEWPORT 23 to 25.3, BADSWORTH, BEVERLEY, KEPPEL, LEAMINGTON and VOLUNTEER 23 to 27.3, ANTELOPE 23 to 29.3, BOADICEA and ROCKINGHAM 23 to 30.3, aircraft carrier ILLUSTRIOUS , destroyers INCONSTANT, JAVELIN and PACKENHAM 23 to 31.3, cruiser SHROPSHIRE , armed merchant cruiser ALCANTARA and destroyers ALDENHAM, GROVE and LOOKOUT 24.3 to 6.4, destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY and WILD SWAN and corvettes COMMANDANT DETROYAT and HYDRANGEA 1 to 6.4.   BEVERLEY and NEWPORT were in collision 25.3, the latter returning to harbour.   WS 17 then split into two sections for the further passage to South Africa.       WS 17A     This convoy sailed from Freetown 9.4.42 made up of:   BHUTAN CLAN MACDONALD DOMINION MONARCH DUCHESS OF ATHOLL HMS KARANJA HMS KEREN LARGS BAY   ORONSAY PORT WYNDHAM REMBRANDT SOBIESKI WINCHESTER CASTLE WINDSOR CASTLE   The formation of the convoy is unknown but it was escorted by the battleship MALAYA , cruiser HERMIONE and destroyers ACTIVE, ANTHONY, INCONSTANT, JAVELIN, LAFOREY, LOOKOUT, LIGHTNING and PACKENHAM, and arrived at Capetown 18.4, with the Durban ships arriving 22.4.       WS 17B     This convoy sailed from Freetown two days after WS 17A, on 11.4, and here the formation is known:   11 ABOSSO (Vice Commodore)   21 TAMAROA   31 GLAUCUS   41 FRANCONIA (Commodore)   51 MATAROA   61 ALMANZORA   12 KINA II   22 SAMARIA (Rear Commodore)   32 LEOPOLDVILLE   42 ORION   52 CAMERONIA   62 CITY OF EDINBURGH   13 DUNEDIN STAR   23 EMPRESS OF RUSSIA   33 JOHAN VAN OLDENBARNEVELT   43 NIEUW HOLLAND   53 ARUNDEL CASTLE   63 CITY OF LINCOLN         HMS ADAMANT (between cols 4 & 5)       Local escort was provided by the destroyers CROOME and WILD SWAN and corvettes COMMANDANT DROGOU and HYDRANGEA 11 to 14.4 and destroyer EXMOOR and corvette COMMANDANT DETROYAT 11 to 15.4.   The cruiser SHROPSHIRE provided the ocean escort and, with HMS ADAMANT, occupied a position between columns 4 and 5 of the convoy. The sloop MILFORD escorted from 18.4 until arrival of the convoy at Capetown 23.4.   All ships entered Capetown except EMPRESS OF RUSSIA, FRANCONIA and MATAROA which went on to Durban arriving there 26.4.       WS 17     Once again under its original designation, the convoy sailed from Capetown 27.4 and from Durban 1.5 to be joined by new ships from Port Elizabeth (the American BRAZIL, MORMACTIDE and MONTEREY). After the final rendezvous the convoy was formed as below. Numbers are suffixed C, D and P to indicate South African ports from which the ships sailed:   11C ALMANZORA   21C SAMARIA   31C GLAUCUS   41D WINDSOR CASTLE (Commodore)   51C JOHAN VAN OLDENBARNEVELT   61P BRAZIL   12D NOVA SCOTIA   22C CAMERONIA   32C CITY OF LINCOLN   42C KINA II   52D ELISABETHVILLE   62P MONTEREY   13D KHEDIVE ISMAIL   23D MENDOZA   33C CITY OF EDINBURGH   43C DUNEDIN STAR   53C NIEUW HOLLAND   63P MORMACTIDE             64 CLAN MACDONALD       ADAMANT sailed with the convoy, probably between columns 3 and 4 a position also occupied by the ocean escort, the battleship REVENGE which sailed from Durban. The escort for the Capetown to Durban passage was the cruiser DAUNTLESS which continued with the convoy.   Off Mombasa on 7.5 ADAMANT detached independently for Mombasa, on 8.5 REVENGE and DAUNTLESS also did so, taking in to that port ALMANZORA, CAMERONIA, KHEDIVE ISMAIL, MENDOZA, NOVA SCOTIA and SAMARIA, ie the two port hand columns.   The battleship ROYAL SOVEREIGN and armed merchant cruiser CORFU took over the convoy until 11.5.42 when, in 05.30N 50.02E it again divided with:       WS 17A     CITY OF EDINBURGH, CITY OF LINCOLN, ELISABETHVILLE and GLAUCUS being escorted by CORFU to Aden to disperse on 14.5.42.       WS 17B     BRAZIL, CLAN MACDONALD, DUNEDIN STAR, JOHAN VAN OLDENBARNEVELT, KINA II, MORMACTIDE, MONTEREY, NIEUW HOLLAND and WINDSOR CASTLE detached as the Bombay convoy escorted by ROYAL SOVEREIGN and arrived at Bombay 16.5.42, less MONTEREY which detached as an independent for Abadan and BRAZIL, MORMACTIDE and MONTEREY for Karachi, detaching on 13.5.       WS 17BZ     A final passage under the WS 17 code was made when, on 10.5.42, a convoy sailed from Mombasa composed of:   11 MENDOZA   21 SAMARIA   31 ALMANZORA   41 CAMERONIA   12 CHANTILLY     32 NOVA SCOTIA   42 KHEDIVE ISMAIL     escorted by the armed merchant cruiser RANCHI to Bombay, arriving there 19.5.42, except for CHANTILLY and MENDOZA which detached as independents from position 09.40N 52.15E on 14.5.       WS 18     Sailing from the Clyde 15.4.42, the convoy comprised the following ships:   11L PHEMIUS   21C ORDUNA   31C RANGITATA   41C EMPRESS OF CANADA (Commodore)   51 HMS HECLA   61C ORBITA   12L CLAN LAMONT   22L DUCHESS OF BEDFORD (Vice Commodore)   32C REINA DEL PACIFICO   42C MALOJA   52C AORANGI   62C CITY OF CAPETOWN   13C SOUDAN   23L CAPETOWN CASTLE   33C EMPRESS OF JAPAN   43C HIGHLAND CHIEFTAIN   53L NIEUW ZEELAND   63C WAIPAWA   24L DEMPO     34L MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE   44C HIGHLAND PRINCESS         The escort was formed from   destroyers BADSWORTH, GEORGETOWN, LANCASTER, LAUDERDALE and ST MARYS 15 to 19.4; BOADICEA and VOLUNTEER 15 to 20.4 and SALISBURY 15 to 22.4.   Ocean escort was the cruisers FROBISHER and GAMBIA and destroyers TETCOTT and VAN GALEN 15 to 29.4. Local escort off Freetown was provided by the destroyers BOREAS and WILD SWAN and corvette PETUNIA 26 to 29.4.   The convoy arrived at Freetown 29.4.1942   Sailing from Freetown 3.5, convoy composition was as from the UK plus RIMUTAKA. The American AGWILEON joined at sea later being detached to Walvis Bay 6.5.   Escorts were the destroyers BOREAS and WIVERN 3 to 4.5, the cruiser FROBISHER and destroyer VAN GALEN 3 to 6.5 and the corvette HYDRANGEA 4 to 5.5. Ocean escort was the cruiser GAMBIA, seaplane carrier ALBATROSS and destroyer TETCOTT 3 to 15.5. Off Capetown the whalers SOUTHERN GEM and SOUTHERN PRIDE joined on 14.5 as local escort to Capetown.   The convoy arrived off Capetown 15.5 and, while crossing the shallow waters of the Agulhas Bank between Capetown and Durban, encountered a minefield laid by the raider DOGGERBANK. As a result HMS HECLA was damaged and towed in to Simonstown by the cruiser GAMBIA, while the freighter SOUDAN, also mined, sank later that day.   SOUDAN was fortunate in suffering no casualties: her Master reported that on examining his ship after the explosion he found "No 2 Hold empty, the bottom having apparently been blown out and the stores loaded in that hold having fallen out of the hole. This was fortunate as the stores included 400 tons of TNT....".   Ships which arrived at Capetown were DEMPO, EMPRESS OF CANADA, MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE, NIEUW ZEELAND, ORBITA, ORDUNA, PHEMIUS, REINA DEL PACIFICO, RIMUTAKA and WAIPAWA, while the remaining ships went on to Durban where they arrived 18.5 being escorted from Capetown by the cruiser CARLISLE.   There was considerable re‑organisation during the South African lay over, some ships unloading and returning in due course to the UK, and some, such as the two HIGHLANDs and AORANGI going on as independents to the Plate. Those that did sail as part of the convoy left Capetown 19.5 escorted by the armed merchant cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE and rendezvoused off Durban to proceed northwards, C and D suffix to the convoy position numbers indicate the port of departure. The convoy from the Durban rendezvous, numbers are suffixed C and D to indicate sailing port, sailed from Capetown 19.5 and Durban 22.5 and comprised:   11C PHEMIUS   21C EMPRESS OF CANADA (Vice Commodore)   31C REINA DEL PACIFICO (Commodore)   41D CAPETOWN CASTLE   12C ORBITA   22C MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE 22C ORDUNA   32C DEMPO   42D CLAN LAMONT   13C WAIPAWA (Rear Commodore)     33C NIEUW ZEELAND   43D CITY OF CAPETOWN   14C BULKOIL     34D EMPIRE WOODLARK   44D LLANDAFF CASTLE     PHEMIUS returned to Capetown 19.5 and did not rejoin the convoy until 27.5; on 22.5 EMPRESS OF CANADA, MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE and NIEUW ZEELAND detached, ORDUNA becoming Commodore. REINA DEL PACIFICO detached on 23.5.   The Durban detachment joined on 23.5, MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE and NIEUW ZEELAND rejoined 24.5. LLANDAFF CASTLE detached 27.5 and EMPIRE WOODLARK 30.5.   The final split of the convoy took place on 2.6 when the port hand column (see below) detached to Aden with the remaining ships going on to Bombay where they arrived 7.6.   The combined convoy from 30.5 comprised:   11 WAIPAWA   21 ORBITA   31 ORDUNA   41 CAPETOWN CASTLE   12 PHEMIUS   22 MARNIX VAN ST ALDEGONDE   32 DEMPO   42 CLAN LAMONT   13 BULKOIL     33 NIEUW ZEELAND   43 CITY OF CAPETOWN     the port hand column, BULKOIL, PHEMIUS and WAIPAWA, being the Aden detachment.   The escort from Capetown was the cruiser FROBISHER and seaplane carrier ALBATROSS , the latter detaching 23.5 and rejoining 24.5; the battleship RESOLUTION joined from Durban 23.5. FROBISHER detached 27.5 escorting LLANDAFF CASTLE, and on 30 May the cruisers EMERALD and ENTERPRISE relieved the battleship and seaplane carrier, who proceeded escorting EMPIRE WOODLARK. EMERALD was relieved by the armed merchant cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE on 31.5. WORCESTERSHIRE took the Aden portion on to its dispersal point, while ENTERPRISE continued as escort to the Bombay section, the convoy dividing on 2.6 with the Bombay section arriving 7.6.       WS 19     This convoy assembled off Oversay 10.5.42 in the following formation:   11L LANARKSHIRE   21L MONARCH OF BERMUDA   31L MORETON BAY   41C STRATHNAVER (Commodore)   51C MOOLTAN   61A AKAROA   12L CLAN MACARTHUR   22L ORMONDE   32L SCYTHIA   42C STRATHAIRD   52C ORIZABA (Vice Commodore)   62A HIGHLAND MONARCH     23L HIGHLAND BRIGADE   33L ATHLONE CASTLE (Rear Commodore)   43C PASTEUR   53C BORINQUEN   63C SUSSEX     AKAROA detached as an independent for Bermuda 14.5.   the escort comprised:   destroyers KEPPEL, LEAMINGTON and VOLUNTEER 10 to 13.5, ST MARYS 10 to 15.5 and CASTLETON 10 to 16.5.   The cruiser MAURITIUS , armed merchant cruiser CARNARVON CASTLE and destroyers BELVOIR and HURSLEY escorted 11 to 22.5 while a local escort of the destroyers VELOX on 19.5 and BOREAS and WILD SWAN on 20.5 joined from Freetown, where the convoy arrived on 22.5.42.   Unusually, while still an HM ship, CARNARVON CASTLE had 1044 troops embarked for passage.   The convoy sailed from Freetown 26.5 escorted by the destroyers BOREAS and VELOX to 28.5, the armed merchant cruiser ALCANTARA 26 to 29.5, destroyer BELVOIR 26 to 31.5 while the cruiser MAURITIUS, destroyer HURSLEY and sloop MILFORD covered the whole passage from Freetown to Capetown where they convoy arrived 5.6.42. The cruiser SHROPSHIRE joined off Capetown to escort the Durban ships to that port where they arrived 9.6.42. HIGHLAND BRIGADE, which proceeded to the Plate, detached from the convoy 28.5 to go to Takoradi where she arrived 31.5 later proceeding to South America.   CLAN MACARTHUR, MORETON BAY, ORIZABA, ORMONDE, PASTEUR and STRATHAIRD went on to Durban, remaining ships entered Capetown.   On 11.6:   ATHLONE CASTLE (Vice Commodore) BORINQUEN LANARKSHIRE MONARCH OF BERMUDA   MOOLTAN STRATHNAVER (Commodore) SUSSEX TAKLIWA   sailed from Capetown and were joined off Durban 15.6 by the ships from that port plus EMPIRE TROOPER, sailing that day. Armed merchant cruiser CHESHIRE escorted from the Cape to Durban joined by the cruiser SHROPSHIRE on 12.6. Destroyers BELVOIR and HURSLEY joined on 14.6 and the cruiser EMERALD brought out the Durban section.   SHROPSHIRE remained with the convoy to 18.6 when she was replaced by the cruiser MAURITIUS, in her turn relieved by the cruiser DEVONSHIRE on 26.6 to 27.6 when the armed merchant cruiser CORFU took over until 30.6 when the convoy arrived at Aden. EMERALD and the destroyers BELVOIR and HURSLEY detached 23.6 to go to Mombasa.   ATHLONE CASTLE, ORIZABA and STRATHAIRD detached on 27.6 for Bombay where they arrived 1.7.42; escorted by the cruiser DEVONSHIRE.       WS 19P     As is the case with many convoys, the reason for repeating a convoy number albeit with an alpha suffix, was no doubt well known at the time and probably recorded in signals; however no information has survived the years and the reason remains a mystery. The convoy sailed from Liverpool 31.5 and the Clyde 1.6.42 as shown below:   11L POELAU ROEBIAH   21L CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS   31C ARAWA   41C ORCADES (Commodore)   51C STAFFORDSHIRE   61L TALISSE   12C MEXICO   22L LACONIA   32C VICEROY OF INDIA (Vice Commodore)   42C BRITANNIC   52C CATHAY   62C J W MCANDREW   13L NEW ZEALAND STAR   23L ORONTES   33C STRATHALLAN   43C AQUITANIA   53C OTRANTO   63C CRISTOBAL     24L SANTA ROSA   34L ANDES   44C WARWICK CASTLE   54C SANTA ELENA   64C JAVA     AQUITANIA detached independently on 7.6 under the designation WS 19Q.   The escorts were:   destroyers BUXTON, MANSFIELD and SALISBURY to 1.6, KEPPEL, LEAMINGTON and WELLS to 4.6 and BEAGLE and DOUGLAS to 6.6. Battleship NELSON accompanied the convoy to Freetown, detaching en route to arrive there 13.6. The aircraft carrier ARGUS , ferrying aircraft to Gibraltar, was with the convoy until detaching 5.6, and the destroyers BLACKMORE and DERWENT were with the convoy throughout and were joined by VELOX on 11.6 from Freetown where the convoy arrived on 15.6.42.   The convoy sailed from Freetown 19.6 in an amended formation, shown below, with some additional ships:   11 NEW ZEALAND STAR   21 STRATHALLAN (Vice Commodore)   31 ORONTES   41 ORCADES (Commodore)   51 ANDES   61 CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS   71 CRISTOBAL   12 MEXICO   22 LACONIA   32 MARIPOSA   42 BRITANNIC   52 OTRANTO   62 SANTA PAULA   72 TALISSE   13 JAVA   23 SANTA ROSA   33 J W McANDREW   43 WARWICK CASTLE   53 CHATEAU THIERRY   63 VICEROY OF INDIA (Rear Commodore)   73 POELAU ROEBIAH     24 CATHAY   34 SANTA ELENA   44 STAFFORDSHIRE   54 ARAWA         The battleship NELSON occupied a position between columns 41 and 51 of the convoy.   Escort from Freetown, in addition to NELSON included the battleship RODNEY and the destroyers DERWENT, PATHFINDER, PENN and QUENTIN to 26.6 plus VELOX to 22.6 only. The cruiser SHROPSHIRE joined as escort when the battleships detached, and the convoy arrived Capetown 1 and Durban 4.7.42. CATHAY, J W McANDREW, JAVA, LACONIA, MARIPOSA, MEXICO, NEW ZEALAND STAR, ORONTES, SANTA ELENA, SANTA ROSA, STAFFORDSHIRE and STRATHALLAN entering Capetown.       WS 19L     Further changes in the convoy formation took place in South Africa, with the faster ships sailing under the above designation from Capetown on 4 and Durban on 7.7.42. After rendezvous, their formation was:   11 WARWICK CASTLE   21 VICEROY OF INDIA (Commodore)   31 ORONTES   41 STRATHALLAN   12 SANTA ELENA   22 SANTA ROSA   32 MEXICO   42 LACONIA     23 J W McANDREW   33 CRISTOBAL       LACONIA, too slow to maintain the required convoy speed, was detached 11.7 and ordered to join WS 19P. WARWICK CASTLE was detached on 13.7, under the escort of the cruiser CALEDON, to go to Mombasa.   Escort from Durban was the cruiser MAURITIUS , joined on 8.7 by the Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERK, this ship was detached later that day to join the slow convoy WS 19P. The cruiser DEVONSHIRE relieved MAURITIUS 14.7 who escorted until the convoy arrived at Aden on 17.7.       WS 19P     The remaining ships from Capetown and Durban, also sailing on 4 and 8.7, formed the slow convoy at a rendezvous off Durban on 8.7, under the original designation and steamed in the following order:   11 CHATEAU THIERRY   21 CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS   31 OTRANTO   41 CATHAY   12 NEW ZEALAND STAR   22 TALISSE   32 SANTA PAULA   42 STAFFORDSHIRE   13 POELAU ROEBIAH   23 MARIPOSA   33 JAVA       Escort was provided by the the Dutch cruiser HEEMSKERK and armed merchant cruiser CHITRAL, CARNARVON CASTLE was also present 8 to 9.7. The cruiser ENTERPRISE joined on 16.7 and HEEMSKERK detached 17.7 on which day the convoy divided.   LACONIA, detached as too slow from WS 19L, joined the convoy on 12.7, position unknown but possibly 43.       WS 19PB     CATHAY, JAVA, MARIPOSA, OTRANTO, SANTA PAULA and STAFFORDSHIRE were detached on 17.7 for Bombay under this designation, escorted by the cruiser ENTERPRISE , arriving 23.7.42.   MARIPOSA and SANTA PAULA detaching 21.7 to Karachi as independents.       WS 19PA     The balance of the ships in WS 19P proceeded to Aden under this title, off which port they dispersed on 20.7.42 and sailed as independents to Suez where they arrived 23.7.42.       WS 19W     Not strictly a convoy as the single ship was not escorted except for the first 24 hours, nevertheless this convoy code was used; some signals show it also as WS 19A. The single ship was the QUEEN MARY which cleared the Clyde 23.5.42, called at Freetown 30‑31.5, arrived Capetown 6.6 sailing again 10.6 and arrived at Suez 22.6.42. Her return passage was via Capetown and Rio de Janeiro to New York.   Escort was confined to the Western Approaches and comprised the AA cruiser CAIRO and destroyers BEAGLE, DOUGLAS, KEPPEL and SARDONYX for the day of sailing only.       WS 19Z     No connection whatever with the other convoys of this numeration, this convoy was made up of the ships from the UK for Operation HARPOON, a relief convoy to Malta. Leaving the Clyde 5.6.42, the merchant ships were BURDWAN, CHANT, ORARI, TANIMBAR and TROILUS escorted by the cruisers KENYA , LIVERPOOL and destroyers BADSWORTH, BEDOUIN, BLANKNEY, ESCAPADE, ICARUS, KUJAWIAK, MARNE, MATCHLESS, MIDDLETON and ONSLOW. The convoy passed through the Straits of Gibraltar 12.6.42 and thereafter is recorded as Operation HARPOON.       WS 19Q     Another single ship convoy, AQUITANIA detached from the original WS 19P to proceed independently, called at Freetown 11.6 and arrived at Simonstown 20.6. Sailing 22.6 she called at Diego Suarez 30.6, Aden 3.7 and arrived at Suez 8.7.42. Her return passage was made via Diego Suarez, Capetown and Freetown to Boston for docking.       WS 19Y     The final single ship convoy of the WS 19 sequence, QUEEN ELIZABETH cleared the Clyde 17.6.42 escorted by the AA cruiser DELHI and destroyers BOADICEA, KEPPEL, LEAMINGTON, SALISBURY and ST ALBANS for that day only. Thereafter she steamed independently, calling at Freetown 25.6, Simonstown 4.7 and arriving at Suez 18.7.42. Her return passage to New York was made via Capetown and Rio de Janeiro.       WS 20     Convoy sailed from Liverpool 20.6.42 and the Clyde 21.6 to a rendezvous off Oversay on 21.6 when the convoy formation became:   11 ABOSSO   21 DUCHESS OF RICHMOND   31 EMPRESS OF RUSSIA   41 STRATHEDEN (Commodore)   51 BANFORA   61 ESPERANCE BAY     12 DURBAN CASTLE   22 ORION (Vice Commodore)   32 EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA   42 BERGENSFJORD   52 AWATEA 52 LEOPOLDVILLE (same position number     72 CUBA   13 PALMA   23 STIRLING CASTLE   33 STRATHMORE   43 ADRASTUS 43 BATORY (same position number)   53 ARUNDEL CASTLE 53 NARKUNDA (same position number0     73 EMPIRE PRIDE         44 NIGERSTROOM           NIGERSTROOM returned to the Clyde with defects, and ARKUNDA detached to Gibraltar 28.6. AWATEA, which was using automatic steering, and EMPIRE PRIDE collided 28.6 but remained with the convoy.   Local escort was provided by the destroyers GEORGETOWN and SALISBURY 21 to 24.6, BOADICEA and RIPLEY to 25.6, BEAGLE, ST ALBANS, VIDETTE and WOLVERINE to 26.6 and VANSITTART to 27.6; while the local Freetown escort was BLACKMORE and BRILLIANT from 26.6, VIMY from 28.6 and BOREAS, VELOX and WIVERN from 30.6. The convoy arrived at Freetown 2.7.42   The destroyer WISHART joined the convoy 26.6 to detach NARKUNDA to Gibraltar also accompanied by ANTELOPE, BEAGLE, VIDETTE and WOLVERINE.   Ocean escort was provided by the battleship MALAYA and destroyer ANTELOPE from 26.6 to 2.7, the battleship occupying a position between columns 3 and 4.   The convoy sailed from Freetown 6.7.42 with a slight variation in positions, possibly the formation adopted after the departure of ships referred to in the earlier part of the narrative:   11 ABOSSO   21 DUCHESS OF RICHMOND   31 EMPRESS OF RUSSIA   41 STRATHEDEN   51 BANFORA   61 ARUNDEL CASTLE   12 DURBAN CASTLE   22 ORION   32 EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA   42 BERGENSFJORD   52 AWATEA 52 LEOPOLDVILLE (same position number)     13 PALMA   23 STIRLING CASTLE   33 STRATHMORE   43 ADRASTUS   53 EMPIRE PRIDE   63 ESPERANCE BAY       34 CUBA   44 BATORY         Local escort was provided by the destroyers BOREAS and VELOX, both detached 8.7, the latter to take BATORY in to Takoradi. Ocean escort comprised the battleship MALAYA and destroyers BLACKMORE, BRILLIANT and WIVERN to Capetown where the convoy arrived 17.7.42   ABOSSO, ADRASTUS, BANFORA, BERGENSFJORD, CUBA, DUCHESS OF RICHMOND, EMPIRE PRIDE, EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, ESPERANCE BAY, LEOPOLDVILLE and PALMA entered Capetown escorted by MALAYA and BLACKMORE. BRILLIANT took the rest of the convoy onward, being relieved by the cruiser SHROPSHIRE 17.7, to Durban where it arrived 20.7.   When the convoy sailed from Capetown 23.7, escorted by the cruiser GAMBIA , ESPERANCE BAY remained in port, and BANFORA sailed for passage to Durban only. The Durban ships (other than AWATEA and EMPRESS OF RUSSIA) made a rendezvous off that port 26.7, and the convoy steamed northward. The cruiser FROBISHER relieved GAMBIA 30.7, when GAMBIA took STIRLING CASTLE from the convoy bound for Mauritius and then Australia. The armed merchant cruiser WORCESTERSHIRE joined the convoy 30.7 as an additional escort.       WS 20A       The convoy divided 1.8.42, all ships except ABOSSO, ADRASTUS, EMPIRE PRIDE and ORION going to Aden off which port they dispersed on 6.8.42 to proceed to Suez as independents; escort was provided by FROBISHER .       WS 20B     ABOSSO, ADRASTUS, EMPIRE PRIDE and ORION proceeded to Bombay under the escort of WORCESTERSHIRE later relieved by the cruiser DEVONSHIRE , to arrive at Bombay 9.8.42.   

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NAME CONVOY CRUISE LTD

COMPANY NUMBER 08135313

COMPANY TYPE Private limited with Share Capital

BUSINESS ACTIVITY (SIC) 79110 - Travel agency activities

INCORPORATION DATE 09/07/2012 (11 years and 9 months old)

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150 Old Lodge Lane Purley Surrey CR8 4AL

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July 19-27, 2024 Celebrity Ascent Greece, Turkey & Italy

Sail with convoy of hope, alone, we are one drop. united, we are an ocean of hope..

We invite you and your spouse to join us for a spectacular week of fun and inspiration aboard the 2024 Hope Cruise. Together, we will celebrate 30 years of impact and more than 200 million people served with a tangible demonstration of God's love.

Venture into history.

Greece, Turkey, and Italy are world-renowned destinations for history buffs. Whether you stroll through the Acropolis and marvel at human achievement, step back into the ancient city of Ephesus where Paul taught and John wrote his gospel, or take in breathtaking views from the volcanic island of Santorini, there are no shortages of unforgettable experiences on this spectacular itinerary.

Experience the Celebrity Ascent.

The fourth ship in Celebrity's revolutionary Edge Series, Celebrity Ascent takes their innovative outward-facing design further than ever, creating an even closer connection between you, the sea, and every exciting place on the horizon. Soak up the sun, salt breezes, and stunning scenery in newly expanded open-air spaces.

Revitalize your life and leadership.

During your time on the Hope Cruise, you will be renewed through exploring Europe's exquisite scenery and deepening your connections with God and others. Learn from world-class leaders and gain fresh insights you can leverage to strengthen your relationships and elevate your leadership. Come expecting to be revitalized.

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Working with thousands of churches and strategic partners, Convoy of Hope has helped more than 200 million people live with greater independence and freedom from poverty, disease, and hunger. The Hope Cruise will engage like-minded leaders to advance the mission of sharing God's love with people in need around the world. 

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What's included, cruise as our guest aboard the celebrity ascent.

Convoy of Hope is pleased to provide the following for you and one guest:

• One-night accommodation for two at the Hotel Grande Bretagne on July 19
• Airport transfers on July 19 and July 27 only
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• P&O Cruises ( UK )

Oriana / Oceana convoy?

By spudulikegolf , January 16, 2018 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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spudulikegolf

On the Oriana on Feb 11th down to the Canaries - first port of call Madeira - just noticed the Oceana is also leaving Southampton same day for the Caribbean and is heading for Madeira too. Will we have us a convoy?:cool:

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Hey   On the Oriana on Feb 11th down to the Canaries - first port of call Madeira - just noticed the Oceana is also leaving Southampton same day for the Caribbean and is heading for Madeira too. Will we have us a convoy?:cool:

We are also on Oriana cruise. No problem with a convoy provided we lead and get the best berth in Madeira.

Dorset cruise fan

We were on Oriana a couple of years ago and arrived in Madeira at the same time as Arcadia. We followed her home but didn't see her at all until we were docked in Southampton. We did a ship's tour and asked when we were on the Bridge where Arcadia had got to and they showed us on the screens but not possible at all to see with naked eye. And she left just ahead of us.

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Hannah Waddingham Shares This 'Beautiful Honor' with Princess Diana, Kate Middleton: 'Pinch Me' (Exclusive)

The ‘Ted Lasso’ star opened up to PEOPLE about being named Godmother of Princess Cruises’ newest and biggest ship ever, the Sun Princess

Natalia Senanayake is an Editorial Assistant, Lifestyle at PEOPLE. She covers all things travel and home, from celebrities' luxury mansions to breaking travel news.

Mackenzie Schmidt is the Home and Travel Editor for PEOPLE. She's worked at PEOPLE for over five years as a writer and editor on the Lifestyle team.

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic; James Morgan/Getty Images for Princess Cruises

Hannah Waddingham is following in the footsteps of a few famous royals in her newest role.

The Ted Lasso star has officially been named Godmother of Princess Cruise Line 's new Sun Princess ship following its maiden voyage in February, PEOPLE can exclusively reveal. As part of the cruising tradition , the actress will take on the responsibility of “christening” the new ship with luck as it embarks on its many voyages across the high seas. 

Waddingham tells PEOPLE exclusively how meaningful it is to be the ship’s Godmother, especially because of the women who also share the same title.

“I couldn’t believe I have been asked to be a ship Godmother, having grown up around boats all my life and my grandfather was in the Atlantic Convoy in the Navy,” says the actress, who next stars in The Fall Guy . “To be asked to be a part of this beautiful honor is a ‘pinch me’ moment.”

Frazer Harrison/Getty; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

She continues: “I am also honored to be in the esteemed company with previous Godparents to Princess Ships including Diana , Princess of Wales, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales Kate Middleton , Audrey Hepburn , Martha Stewart , and many others.” 

The Emmy-nominated actress adds that a big “privilege and pleasure” for her as Godmother is sending the 4,300 guests that the ship can hold “on their way safely with a big hug.” 

James Morgan/Getty Images for Princess Cruises

The Hannah Waddingham: Home for Christmas actress has recently been celebrating a raucous awards season with her Ted Lasso co-stars after the beloved show's third season concluded  last May. Asked which character would be the biggest cruiser in real life, Waddingham says Ted ( Jason Sudeikis ) is the perfect fit. 

“I think Ted would be the biggest cruiser,” she says, adding that “his positive, warm, loving, can-do attitude” would thrive on the getaway and calls out "trivia in Princess Live" and "Spellbound by Magic Castle" as experiences the ever-optimistic soccer coach would easily get on board with.

The next potential cruise lover that comes to mind for Waddingham is Keely, played by Juno Temple , thanks to her “positive and warm disposition,” she says. 

She adds that the stars of the hit Apple TV+ sports comedy would be the best company on any group vacation — especially on a cruise. 

“Anywhere the cast of Ted Lasso goes, we would have the best kind of party! We would all be down for a party on a beautiful ship. We love each other so much we would have fun being trapped together in an elevator,” she jokes.  

The Sun Princess officially set sail on its 10-day maiden voyage through the Mediterranean on Feb. 28. The massive ship, which weighs 177,882 tons, departed from Rome and made stops in Naples; Crete, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Athens; Sicily; Mallorca; and Barcelona. 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

As the largest ship in Princess Cruises history, the Sun Princess is equipped with eye-catching features like the glass Dome “inspired by the terraces of Santorini,” a press release from the cruise line states. 

In the suspended Sphere Atrium, guests can enjoy indoor/outdoor living and soak in stunning views of the endless ocean. Additional breathtaking features include the three-story main dining room, two-level Lotus Spa and the casino, which is the cruise line’s largest to date.

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Moscow 'hit gas facilities crucial to supply in Europe'; Russian murder rate 'up 900%'

Russia hit energy infrastructure in Ukraine this morning - and Volodymyr Zelenskyy now says this could affect supply to the EU. Elsewhere, the British Ministry of Defence has said war-related mental health issues are likely causing murder rates to rocket in Russia.

Saturday 27 April 2024 22:25, UK

• Zelenskyy says Russian attack targeted energy facility 'crucial' to EU supply
• Russia murder rate 'up 900%'
• 'Putin did not order Navalny death,' - US report
• Twelfth person arrested over Moscow terror attack
• Explained : Why is Chasiv Yar the next target for Russia?
• Your questions answered: Will Ukraine launch another spring offensive?
• Listen to the Sky News Daily above and  tap here  to follow wherever you get your podcasts

That's it for our live coverage for tonight, but you can scroll back for all of today's updates.

British Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has shared this footage of the UK's Storm Shadow missiles being produced.

The long-range cruise missiles have been among the aid sent to Ukraine by the UK, and have been used to strike deep into Russian-controlled territory.

Earlier this week, the UK said it would commit even more Storm Shadows to Ukraine. 

The missiles have an official range in excess of 155 miles - although some experts have suggested they may be able to go further. 

Mr Shapps said the missiles were also being created to add to British stockpiles to "fight any future wars". 

By Sean Bell , military analyst

When the UK provided long-range Storm Shadow missiles to Ukraine, it was done on the understanding that these would only be used to target Russian forces in occupied territory, and not against Russia itself. 

Despite the limitations, Ukraine has complied, and that appears to have improved US confidence to the point they are prepared to supply the ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) missile. 

Indeed, we now understand that the US first supplied the ATACMS last month - in secret - and it appears to have proven its worth with attacks on a Russian-occupied airfield in Crime on 17 April, and earlier this week in an attack on Russian troop concentrations.

But will this new weapon risk an escalation of the war?

Russia knows that it faces strategic failure if the West were to commit fully to the defence of Ukraine, so it will continue to use threatening rhetoric and sabre-rattling to undermine Western political resolve. 

The interesting question is whether the introduction of ATACMS will change the course of the war. Long-range missiles are very effective at targeting and influencing the "deep battle" - the logistics that feed the front-line fight. However, they have limited impact on the frontline.  

The shortage of Ukrainian weapons is being exploited by Russia, which is making significant battlefield gains.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has identified that his immediate priority is to "stabilise" the frontlines. 

Instead, ATACMS and the new package of Western military support provides Ukraine with a lifeline. 

In the city of Kharkiv, municipal workers are helping to clear up an area near a psychiatric hospital that targeted by Russia. 

Workers are draining a crater left behind by the attack and also inspecting damaged communication lines. 

A 53-year-old patient was injured in the strike.

Ben Wallace has hit out at German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for suggesting British and French troops are on the ground in Ukraine to programme cruise missiles. 

The chancellor had previously justified his refusal to send Taurus long-range missiles to Ukraine by saying it would require German troops on the ground to programme them. 

He had suggested British and French soldiers were in Ukraine to help with their Storm Shadow and Scalp missiles.

But Mr Wallace said in an interview with German news agency dpa: "[Scholz] was wrong... I can't tell you how Storm Shadows and Scalps are programmed. 

"But it doesn't involve people standing around in an airport in Ukraine, it doesn't need to do that." 

The former defence secretary also criticised Mr Scholz's hesitation to send Taurus missiles, saying: "You can't incrementally help Ukraine, you know, a bit of this and a bit of that. 

"Do we want Ukraine to win? Or do we want them to lose?... 

"Ukraine will abide by any restrictions you put on them. So you could give them Taurus. And you could add all sorts of restrictions about where you want it used or not used." 

Mr Wallace added that Mr Scholz is "not a leader for conflict at the moment" and that "looking either indecisive, or flip-flopping on certain decisions, or seeming to be out of step with your allies, only aids Putin". 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said this morning's Russian attack on Ukraine's energy sector had targeted gas facilities important for supply to the European Union.

The main target was the energy sector, various facilities in the industry, both electricity and gas transit facilities," he said in his nightly video address. 

"In particular, those gas facilities that are crucial to ensuring safe delivery to the European Union." 

Moscow earlier claimed its strikes were "in response to attempts by the Kyiv regime to damage Russian energy and industrial facilities". 

Australia has announced a military aid package for Ukraine worth 100m Australian dollars (£52m). 

Defence minister Richard Marles said the money will be used to fund short-range air defence systems, drones for the Ukrainian military and equipment including helmets, inflatable boats, fire masks and electricity generators, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said. 

Mr Marles made the announcement during a trip to Ukraine where he met the country's prime minister Denys Shmyal and deputy defence minister Ivan Havryliuk. 

He said the latest package took Australian military assistance for Ukraine to 880m Australian dollars (£459m) since Russia began its invasion in 2022.

The Russian defence ministry has responded to this morning's attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. 

It said it had carried out 35 strikes in the last week against energy facilities, defence factories, railway infrastructure, air defences, and ammunition stocks in Ukraine. 

The strikes were "in response to attempts by the Kyiv regime to damage Russian energy and industrial facilities", it said. 

Ukraine has been targeting Russian oil refineries and other facilities in drone attacks in recent weeks, despite US requests not to do so. 

Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials said Russian missiles had pounded power facilities in central and western Ukraine today. 

Russia's defence ministry said it had used sea and air-launched long-range precision weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and drones.

It also said it had targeted Ukrainian troop formations and what it called foreign mercenaries. 

Anti-tank fortifications, known as "dragon's teeth", have been set up in the eastern region of Donetsk. 

As we've mentioned, Russia has been pushing in the Avdiivka direction and is aiming to reach the strategic town of Chasiv Yar. 

A 52-year-old Ukrainian has been injured after a Russian drone strike hit a truck he was driving, a local governor has said. 

Oleh Syniehubov, the governor of Kharkiv, said the man was taken to hospital in a serious condition. 

He said Russian forces used an FPV drone to hit the truck at around 1pm local time near Vovchansk, a city located less than 10km from the Russian border.

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