Russian Convoys

[tim lewin]

Here I want to ask about the ships rather than the veterans; HMS Belfast is well know for her battle honours of Arctic and North Cape where she participated in the sinking of the Scharnhorst, and of course is now preserved in the Pool of London by the Imperial War Museum. Is anyone aware of any ofter surviving ships from the Convoy era? (Excluding HMS Cavalier which was very much a late-comer). It would be very helpful to hear about surviving merchant ships as well; I heard of one such (Daniel Morgan) abandonned and wrecked but still in existence in North Russia, I attach a wonderfully evocative picture which featured in an exhibition not long ago but I do not know the photographer to ask where she lies, or credit with the picture. The other pictures show Belfast on Convoy preparation with her escorting group of Tribals in the distance and a Swordfish passing, the other is a contemporary shot of Ashanti and Fame on convoy duty, rather fragile and dog-eared but the purple mimeographed label on the back shows it was used for "morale-boosting" purposes.
There is a picture of my father, Lty. Lewin on the bridge of Ashanti with Captain Jimmy Barnes, last is a well known picture taken from Ashanti's bridge of a bomb exploding between Eskimo and Hunt-class Wheatland, this too is an original print, retouched to make the bomb more dramatic!
tim

[tim lewin]

since I sent the above post the plot has thickened; The photographer of the Daniel Morgan was Sinmon Roberts of Brighton altho when I found it there was no way to trace him. What is curious is that the Daniel Morgan is supposed to have been lost on PQ17. Any explanations?
tim

[AlZictorini]

tim

My finds indicate that the Daniel Morgan WAS SUNK after fending off bombers with her 3" gun by U88 lurking on the surface in fog......

Here is an extract from The Chronology of the USN:-

Freighter Daniel Morgan, steaming in company with four other ships for mutual protection that proves largely illusory, is bombed, and is damaged by 30 near-misses; although emerging battered from the bombing, she does not escape U-88, which torpedoes and sinks her, 75°08'N, 44°10'E. Daniel Morgan's survivors (37 of 39 merchant seamen, one of whom dies later of his injuries, and the 15-man Armed Guard) are rescued later by Russian tanker Donbass and ultimately reach Archangel in that ship.

With this in mind, see what this Wikipedia link has to say? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liberty_ships:_D

[tim lewin]

Thanks for that; certainly the rescue of the crew by Donbass is well documented, they repaired the guns and manned them, but it looks as tho the torpedo didn't finnish her off and she was ultimately rescued and beached probably to be used as a temporary storage facility.
tim

[tonclass]

Tim,
here's a slightly larger version of the 'Daniel Morgan' pic
Rgds
Rik

[AlZictorini]

More statements to say she sank:

Seawaves.com

After Convoy PQ-17 was dispersed on 4 Jul 1942, the Daniel Morgan traveled with four other ships to Archangel. On 5 July, they were attacked many times by German Ju 88 aircraft of the KG 30. About 1800, five Ju 88 from the III/KG 30 attacked the ship at 75.08N/44.10E and three near misses caused the #4 and #5 holds to flood and the ship to list to starboard. At 2252, the crippled Daniel Morgan was hit by one torpedo from U-88 on the port side amidships. A few minutes later a second torpedo struck the engine room and put the main and steering engines out of commission. The ship sank stern first shortly afterwards. The eight officers, 31 men and 15 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, one 3in and four .50cal guns) abandoned ship in three lifeboats. One of the boats capsized, the Chief Mate and one crewman drowned. A third man died from a concussion. Bohmann questioned the master and got wrong answers. He told them to follow the U-boat, which they did for 90 minutes, before U-88 suddenly pulled away at full speed. At 0800 on 6 July, the Soviet steam tanker Donbass picked up the survivors. The Soviet ship dropped anchor at Ioanka two days later and proceeded later for the White Sea and Molotovsk.:confused:

[tim lewin]

All pretty convincing stuff; I can see that a closer investigation on the Russian side is needed. If this ship is not the Daniel Morgan, who is she and why is she carrying the name?
tim

[John Brown]

Guys

I have contacted the photographer with the query and here is his reply:

Dear Bob

Yes, this pictures is causing quite a stir. I've had a number of people enquire about it, asking whether this is in fact 'the' SS Daniel Morgan. The truth is, I don't know for certain, although the information I've been able to gleen so far does suggest that the Morgan didn't in fact sink, but was grounded. In which case, this could well be him.


I got this report online-


"After dispersement of the PQ 17 convoy she travelled with four other ships in an effort to escape and reach Archangel. Five German bombers attacked the MORGAN for over one hour dropping some 81 bombs The zigzagging ship
suffered thirty near misses. Three of these hit in the vicinity of nos 4 and 5 holds causing them to flood. U88 (Bohmann) fired a torpedo into her port side amidships. Minutes later U88 fired a second torpedo hitting the engine room. All the crew abandoned the vessel in three lifeboats. The Russian tanker DONBASS rescued the survivors and took them to
Archangel. The vessel later grounded. The attack on the Daniel Morgan was in position 75.08N 45.00E."


There's also a reference here-
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq104-2.htm

I hope that helps. If you find any other information then please do let me know. I'd be fascinated to find out more.

kind regards,
Simon

Simon Roberts
Photographer


So this doesn't actually solve the mystery but it does show that Simon Roberts is not claiming the ship in his photograph is definitely the 'Daniel Morgan'

Regards....John

[AlZictorini]

Guys

I've called in some help from the U-Boat experts on a fellow forum, catch this link:

http://ubootwaffe.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3009#3009

[Olwyn Hart]

What wonderful pictures, how lucky we are to have seen them, especially the dog eared photo. WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT PEOPLE ARE SO INTERESTED. My father James Fox Grainger (SCAL, OR LOFTY, being a tall lad) served on the Russian Convoys in WW2, THE SHIKA in PQ9 in particular. Does anyone have any photographs please, please, please? I have been searching FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE AGES, I would love to see a photo of the Shika or the crew or the convoy. Can anyone help?

Kind Regards
Olwyn Hart
Scal's Lass

[AlZictorini]

Olwyn

Would that be the armed whaler HNoMS Shika, one of the six escorts (I first thought Shika was a merchant)?

[Olwyn Hart]

Hi
Yes it was the armed whaler.

Thanks for your interest, definitely the Royal.

Olwyn:)

[AlZictorini]

OK Olwyn

I think I’ve found some info on the Shika (1). I originally found her in Warships of World War II, Part Six: Trawlers, by Ian Allen Publications.

She had the Pennant Number FY.1664, had a gross tonnage of 251 and was launched in 1929. She was requisitioned into the RN in Mar 1940. It then goes on to say she went to Russia in 1942 and became a minesweeper there. I believe she remained in Russia post the PQ-9 convoy (as she’s not listed on any return convoys). I’m unsure of her history from here although she may have had the same fate as the Shera, see the links below?

For information on the other vessels on PQ-9, see this link:
http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/russian/index.html?home.htm~rumain

For information on the Shika and a picture of her sister ships, see the following links:
http://lardex.net/TONSBERG/salvesen/skipstekst/1928stina.htm
http://lardex.net/TONSBERG/salvesen/skipstekst/1929shera.htm
http://lardex.net/TONSBERG/salvesen/skipstekst/1929sirra.htm

I hope its the same Whaler
Regards
AlZ

[tim lewin]

Dear Olwyn, if you look at my posts headed HMS Ashanti you will find more original photos of that period, Ashanti served on several Russian Convoys as either close or distant escort but not I think PQ9 which was at a time when Ashanti was undergoing extensive repairs. Richard Woodman wrote a very comprehansive book on Russian convoys "Arctic Convoys" which may still be in print but if not any of the internet bookfinders will find you a second hand one.
Good luck
tim

[Olwyn Hart]

Hi
One snippet I read was that Shika was on loan to the Russian Navy. I could not trace A return journey. I was wandering how my dad got back.

Thank you so much, I will research further with your links and those from TIM:).

Olwyn

[Olwyn Hart]

Hello

I am not sure that my previous postings were able to be read by all members, perhaps due to me not correctly introducing myself. My messages have been responded to by Tim and AlZictorini and John, who have been extremely helpful. I am Olwyn Hart researching the naval history of my father James Fox Grainger, (Lofty, or Scal). I have his naval record, but have some unanswered questions. He was in the Merchant Navy from 1936 - 1940 and joined the Royal Navy in 1940.
EUROPA JULY1940- AUGUST 1940
LYNX (ARLEY) 13 AUGUST - 3 SEPT 1940
EUROPA 4 SEPT - 6 SEPT 1940
CAROLINE (SHIKA) 7 SEPT 1940 - 30 JUNE 1941
FERRETT - SHIKA 1 JULY - 31 DEC 1941
FORTITUDE SHIKA 1 JAN 1942 - 23 FEB 1942
EUROPA 24 FEB - 2 JULY 1942
BEAVER 3 JULY - 10 JULY 1942
EUROPA 27 JULY - 15 OCT 1942
LUCIFER; TRP 16 - 18 OCT 1942
LUCIFER; LITTLE GYPSY 19 OCT 1942 - 21 JAN 1946


I would dearly love someone to have a photograph of him, HIS CREW, OR THE SHIKA CAN ANYONE IN THE FORUM HELP?

HAPPY HUNTING TO ALL
KIND REGARDS
OLWYN

[asen33]

Hello

I am not sure that my previous postings were able to be read by all members, perhaps due to me not correctly introducing myself. My messages have been responded to by Tim and AlZictorini and John, who have been extremely helpful. I am Olwyn Hart researching the naval history of my father James Fox Grainger, (Lofty, or Scal). I have his naval record, but have some unanswered questions. He was in the Merchant Navy from 1936 - 1940 and joined the Royal Navy in 1940.
EUROPA JULY1940- AUGUST 1940
LYNX (ARLEY) 13 AUGUST - 3 SEPT 1940
EUROPA 4 SEPT - 6 SEPT 1940
CAROLINE (SHIKA) 7 SEPT 1940 - 30 JUNE 1941
FERRETT - SHIKA 1 JULY - 31 DEC 1941
FORTITUDE SHIKA 1 JAN 1942 - 23 FEB 1942
EUROPA 24 FEB - 2 JULY 1942
BEAVER 3 JULY - 10 JULY 1942
EUROPA 27 JULY - 15 OCT 1942
LUCIFER; TRP 16 - 18 OCT 1942
LUCIFER; LITTLE GYPSY 19 OCT 1942 - 21 JAN 1946


I would dearly love someone to have a photograph of him, HIS CREW, OR THE SHIKA CAN ANYONE IN THE FORUM HELP?

HAPPY HUNTING TO ALL
KIND REGARDS
OLWYN

hi,like your self i am trying to find and trace my grandads naval career and i am led to believe that he served on europa and lucifer although i have been told that the lucifer might have been re named oracle but i am not sure . if i can tie lucifer and oracle together then i have a picture of her in dock

yours faithfully
adam

[Olwyn Hart]

Hi Adam
I have been told by the Naval Museum at Lowestoft; sparrows@nest.fsnet.co.uk that HMS Europa WAS A CENTRAL DEPOT based at Lowestoft, for all personnel who served in the patrol service section of the Royal Navy. Perhaps they can assist with the change of name query. I was also told that HMS Lucifer base at Swansea was on Torpedo Recovery Party.

This might help get you started.

Thanks
Olwyn

[kurt2997]

Hello everyone, as my search for veterans of the River Plate did not turn up much, I am now turning my efforts into finding anyone who served in the Arctic/Russian Convoys up until 1944. If anyone knows anyone then please reply in this forum or send me a PM. Thanks.

Alex

[denhealey]

My Dad was the Coxswain of HMS "Offa" on the Russian and North Atlantic convoys. That was after MTBs and MGBs in the Channel and before D Day and LSTs in the Med. They spent a lot of time breaking ice on the foredeck and pushing it overboard to prevent the boat becoming top heavy.

[John Brown]

Kurt

I suppose you have thought to try the 'Russian Convoy Club'?


Regards...John

[tim lewin]

try the HMS Belfast association as well, she was for two years on convoys culminating in the battle of North Cape 26-12-43. I am stillin personal contact with a couple of veterans but they are all rather old now and health is not what it was. What do you need to know?
tim

[tonclass]

Welcome back, Tim. Have missed your imput, to the site, in the last month.
Rik

[tim lewin]

thanks for that; i was by the MS screen of blue death which really screwed up my computer and necessitated a complete reload while I went away on a biz trip, only just getting back to normal now. Still lots of things I cannot find but its nice to be back.

[kurt2997]

Thanks for posting everyone. John, yes I have written to about 3 or 4 Russian Convoy Clubs, I am waiting to hear from them.

As John already knows, I am a collector of WWII veteran's autographs, and I have a book about the Arctic/Russian Convoy and I am hoping to fill it with veterans autographs. If anyone would be able to pass on some contact details for some veterans of the convoys then that would be great.

Thanks

Alex

[mazzie74]

Hi,

Sorry I can't help you with an autograph, but I have posted a few photo's of my Great-Uncle, Sydney Dennis Harris (1906-1942) who was killed on board the S.S. Hartlebury in 1942 on the PQ-17 Russian Convoy.

Sydney was born in Deal, Kent in 1906, and joined the Navy in 1921. However, he was invalided in 1924 due to epilepsy.

He must have been allowed to re-join during World War II, as he served as an Able Seaman C/JX 268411 on board the Hartlebury when he was killed.

Thanks,

Darin, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

[doug.birch]

HI Kurt2997. Russian Convoys, I was on RA59 Convoy, we lost 1 ship,but our Sworfish downed 3 U-Boats & Fighters shot down a German Dornier plane
Doug.Birch Ex. Fencer.

[doug.birch]

try the HMS Belfast association as well, she was for two years on convoys culminating in the battle of North Cape 26-12-43. I am stillin personal contact with a couple of veterans but they are all rather old now and health is not what it was. What do you need to know?
tim
Hi tim.Lewin,I am in the Arctic Convoys Veterans in Adelaide and we are not too old, as you suggest, get some sea time in.Doug.Birch RA59

[tim lewin]

Congratulations Doug, good to hear from you; my father was in Ashanti and made several Kola runs. Ashanti had a Tassie onboard in the wardroom who had a clockwork cine camera who took some films of their exploits. He was also famous for the story of "tassie's foot" which I think I recounted elsewhere but will do again here as its a short story. On one of the Arctic convoy's the weather was so foul that the ship was rolling well past 30 degrees, getting out of his seat in the wardroom Tassie was caught going downhill by the next roll and the only way to stay on his feet was to run with it. Down the deck, up the opposite bulkhead until he stopped himself by placing his black-rubber soled seaboot on the deckhead. They put a picture frame round it and dined out on the tale, "It was so rough we were walking on the ceiling" in port for months after. I am sure you have some similar memories......
All very best
tim

[David Shipton]

Just a quick aside. In 1985 I was on my boat in the marina at La Ducquesa in eastern Spain. One morning I saw another yacht flying an RNSA burgee so I wandered over to introduce myself. The owner was onboard by himself and in true naval fashion invited me for a gin. He was quite an old boy, well to me in my late 30's he was, but a great raconnteur.

He was a retired doctor and he said that he had been on the Russian convoys and in fact had been part of the infamous PQ17 serving with Jack Broome, in HMS Keppel, who was Close Escort Commander. They were well up north and they got a signal from a tanker asking for the doctor to go over as a crewman had fallen down a ladder and broken a leg.

So the seaboat was lowered and the doctor went over. After he had set the crewman's let quite naturally he was "forced" to accept the ship's hospitality. He said that he was having a merry old time but was aware that it was getting towards dusk. He had Captain D signalled to ask whether he could stay onboard the tanker overnight or must he should transfer back to his destroyer. He was told to return, much to his disgust.

The inevitable happened that night and the tanker, full of fuel of course, was torpedoed and blown to pieces. There were no survivors. The doctor was then very pleased to have been made to take a cold seaboat ride back to his mother ship.

We discussed the raw deal that Broome had had after the convoy was ordered to scatter and the doctor was quite vehement in Broome's defence - and quite rightly so in my reading of the incident.

I spent quite a few evenings in the cockpit of the doctor's yacht imbibing his generous measures of gin while he kept me entertained with lots of other stories. Unfortunately I lost my guest book in a shipwreck and so can't remember his name. His story of PQ17 though has remained with me.

[tim lewin]

Great story; Capt. Brome was indeed much maligned over PQ17 and very unfairly so. It blighted the rest of his life and he never really go over the attack on his part in the debacle which was entirely beyond his influence. He wrote a number of books, hje was also an inspired cartoonist, including a book on his opinions about PQ17. Well worth searching out and reading.
tim

[doug.birch]

PQ17.
CONVOY TO HELL.
Onthe 4th.July PQ17 was off Spitzbergen, between Hope Island and Bear Island, when the signal to SCATTER!was received, merchant ships were to
proceed independently to Russian ports.The warships were orderedto withdraw from the convoy and proceed westward at high speed, for it was feared that the Tirpitz was on the loose, leading to this statement made by Admiral O'Brien---- I have never been able to rejoice with my American friends on Independence Day, because July 4th. is to me the day to hang my head in grief for allthe men who lost their lives on Convoy PQ17 and in shame at the recollection of one of the bleakest episodes in the Royal Naval History. When the warships deserted the merchant ships and left them to their fate. For that, in simple terms, was what we were obliged to do.
Vice-Admiral W.D.O'Brien. CB.D.S.C. Commander Far East Fleet.
Doug.Birch. RA59.

[vivian]

So very tragic, not only the losses but what these men endured unfairly. Very sad.

Vivian (daughter of exHMS Striker)

[tim lewin]

PQ17 was indeed a tradgedy of Homeric proportions, it just got worse and worse but in general the Arctic convoys to Russia were actually a great success. Out of a total of 40 outbound convoys of supplies to Russia comprising a total of 811 ships only 68 were sunk as a result of weather or enemy engagement. The great seamanship and resolve of the men who fought the surviving ships through to Russia over a four year period deserve all the respect we can give. This was overall a truly victorious campaign despite the appalling losses of summer 1942.
tim

[mikeg]

There is a very graphic account of HMS Halcyon's involvement in PQ17. See http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/Arctic/archangel.htm and http://www.halcyon-class.co.uk/halcyon/halcyon_1942.htm

My father served on HMS Halcyon during this period

Mike

[jbryce1437]

The crews endured very harsh conditions. Here are various photos depicting those conditions, one of them taken when the temperature was 52 below, brrr.

[Mahratta]

Hi Kurt2997
Think i am missing something here, WHY are you looking for sailors that served on the Arctic convoys till 1944.

HMS Mahratta was sunk on 25th feb 1944, and I am in contact with 3 of the survivors .

[doug.birch]

The Arctic Star, here shown, was awarded, after Commander.Eddie.Grenfell.( Pictured ) campained, for over 60 years to various British governments,for a campaign Star but what we got, was a small token, for such a big sacrifice, by so many sailors and ships.
14837

14838

14839

[vivian]

Doug, thanks for posting your avatar as a larger version. Can you explain what the scene is please?

regards,
Vivian

[astraltrader]

I know I am biased but that British Colombia flag is one of the most elegant I have seen.

[vivian]

I know I am biased but that British Colombia flag is one of the most elegant I have seen.
I agree Terry and it looks really good now that I see it in place. Thanks for your kindness in offering the avatar and for the lesson.

regards,
Vivian

[astraltrader]

Think nothing of it. I am ashamed to admit that it is the first time I have noticed the BC flag. I take it it is well known to people living there?

[vivian]

Think nothing of it. I am ashamed to admit that it is the first time I have noticed the BC flag. I take it it is well known to people living there?

I'd say we know it when we see it, but if you stopped us on the street and asked us to describe it we'd have to think about it. If you asked me about the flags of the other provinces I wouldn't know them other than that of Quebec which is familiar to all of us.

The B.C. flag contains the Union Jack with a crown in the centre signifying our colonial past, the blue waves of the sea and the setting sun as we are the western-most province. Very colourful, wot?

:)

regards,
Vivian

[doug.birch]

Vivian, the picture was the clearing the Flight-Deck for,flying off & landing aircraft. this was Arctic Convoy RA59 our planes flew day & night the Sworfish of 842 Squadron sank 3 U-BOATS I had to defrost the landing lights. I will reveal more of this action with photos when I can. Regards Doug.Birch

[alanbenn]

Doug, if you don't have this, here's a photo of 842 sqdn badge to go with any photo's you have of the aircraft.

regards

Alan

[vivian]

Thanks Doug, I see it now, there are footsteps in the ice and snow on the deck. I've just had a look back too at jbryce1437's photos of ice covered ships on this thread. Amazing that all that action was taking place in such conditions, day and night.

regards
Vivian

[doug.birch]

Hello everyone, as my search for veterans of the River Plate did not turn up much, I am now turning my efforts into finding anyone who served in the Arctic/Russian Convoys up until 1944. If anyone knows anyone then please reply in this forum or send me a PM. Thanks.

Alex
kurt,I served on escort carrier Fencer on arctic convoy RA59, we lost 1 ship, our Swordfish sank 3U-Boats.Doug.Birch

[doug.birch]

As there were no ships to be convoyed to Russia via the Arctic,because the supply route was switched to the Persian Gulf for the summer months but there were empty ships & crew of the USS Milwaukee together with a Russian crew to take over the Battleship Royal Sovereign, which was to be turned over to the Russians in place of part of the Italian fleet, that they had laid claim to,were waiting in Russian ports.Rear-Admiral R.R.McGrigor, flying his flag in the cruiser Diadem, was placed incharge of a strong escort force which consisted of escort carriers Activity & Fencer and 16 Destroyers. Apart from a U-Boat surfacing among thr task force,there was a bit of a flap on,guns opened up, our aircraft dropped Depth-Charges,nothing more was seen of the intruder,so we proceededto the KOLA-INLET arriving on the 23rd.of April 1944.We sailed 5days later escorting convoy RA59 of 45 ships,
with the TIRPITZ out of action it was considered not necessary to have the covering force, for the 2 carriers could cope with air & U-Boat attacks.WE We were only 90 miles north of the KOLA-INLET,when we were spotted by an enemy aircraft, enabling the enemy to place his 12 U-Boats,12 miles apart, in the path of the convoy.Despite the rough seas,high winds & snow storms, the 2 carriers doggedly continued to operate their & made the U-Boats pay heavily for sinking USS William,S.Thayer by U307.Inthe next 2 days,Fencers Swordfish sank U277,U674 7 U959.Thisbrilliant achievment was witnessed by Russian Admiral Levchenko who, with his staff & some of the crew for the Royal Sovereign,were taking passage on Fencer, RA59 proceededto Lock Ewe arriving safely on the 6/5/1944. We must pay our respects to the Air-Crews that manned those aircraft with open cock-pits in their Swordfish in such terrible weather conditions. LEST WE FORGET.Doug.Birch.

[tim lewin]

The oficial Red Fleet photographer at this time was Robert Diament, his son Leonid plans to publish a book of his father's unseen archive, they are excellent quality, in the near future. When we had our reception at the British Embassy in May to launch the resportation project for HMS Belfast's masts we held an exhibition of Diament's picture and I met his son. I hope in the near future wwe will be able to co-operate with him and help with his book. Here are a couple of pictures at the time of the handover of Royal Sovereign which then became Archangelsk.
tim

[doug.birch]

Great photos of the hand over Royal Sovereign to the Russians Tim,What is the name of the Admiral in the photo.Doug. Birch

[tim lewin]

that would be Adm. Sir Bruce Frazer (or is that Fraser?) who a year earlier commanded the Duke of York in the Battle of Noth Cape, he was the CinC Home Fleet at the time of the hand over which was to Adm Levchenko on the Soviet side. The ladies in their sunday best are wives of top officials, i have their names somewhere..........I will try to get you more pics as they were a superb set. KC, if you read this would you have any interest in publishing this collection with English text translation? They are unique but I am not sure how much interest there is in this relatively narrow subject.
tim

[atcautoelec]

A superb photo of your father on the bridge of Ashanti. My old man was on Somali when she was hit, luckily he survived and later joined Ceylon and fought in warmer climes! Was it possible if your father was part of Somalis crew rescue?

[atcautoelec]

My father served on the russian convoys to Mermansk and was on Somali when she was hit. Iwould like to know more. His name was Arthur Carter from Tipton, West Midlands and was also known as Nick

[tim lewin]

he was indeed, i beleive this was part of his DSC citation; he was very involved in the process of trying to rescue Somali, running the motorboat between the two trying to give electric power to Somali's pumps and then after she sank he was at the bottom of the net trying to pull people out of the water; he and a couple of others had hold of her No. 1 but as he slipped into a hypothermic coma they could not lift him out of the sea, every few seconds all of them were plunged under water by the violent rolling of Ashanti, when they tried with all their remaining strength to lift him, he was very heavy in all is sodden arctic clothing, his life belt straps tore away and the poor man was swept away into the night never to be seen again. After Ashanti returned to Scotland Colin Maud presented the wardroom with a framed print of Vermeer's Girl with the Pearl Earring. This remained with ashjanti when she went to the breakers but by an amazing twist of fate, she was only partly dismantled and in 1956 my father took over corunna (battle class D97) at Rsoyth and there in the same basin was Ashanti, on going aboard the picture was stil in the wardroom, it was liberated, installed in Corunna and now hangs a few feet from where i am writing to you; It has a small silver plaque with the date and Mauds signature. If you send me your email address by PM i will send you two accounts of the Long Tow, too big to upload here...
tim