HMS Jervis Bay

[herakles]

The story of her famous last battle is no doubt well known to older members here but deserves re-telling as it exhibits the highest levels of bravery and service.

She was a passenger ship, launched in 1922 and named after a bay on the east coast of Australia, where incidentally the Australian naval college was.

Taken over by the Royal Navy in 1939, she was equipped with seven WW1 aged 6 inch guns, manned mostly by reservists and called an Armed Merchant Cruiser, pennant F40. Commanded by Edward Fegen.

All similar converted ships were lost during the war by enemy action as they were quite unable to fulfil their role due to their design.

In November 1940, Jervis Bay was the sole escort for convoy HX84 travelling between Halifax and Britain.

Well into the voyage, approaching dusk on the 5th, the convoy was discovered by the battleship Admiral Scheer. Fegen immediately went into the attack, sailing straight at the German battle cruiser, firing as she went. None of her shells ever reached the target. But the Admiral Scheer with its 11 inch guns soon scored several hits. Unperturbed, Jervis Bay kept on course and despite losing ar arm, Fegen kept firm control of her until he was killed.

It took 24 minutes for the Admiral Scheer to sink Jervis Bay giving the convoy time to scatter. Although later five ships were destroyed, the remainder made port. Capt. Fegen was awarded the Victoria Cross, postumously.

The Swedish freighter Stureholm bravely stayed in the vicinity and after dark returned to the scene and was able to rescue sixty-five men.

One oil tanker, seemingly mortally wounded by the Admiral Scheer was abandoned by her crew, fearing that in a moment she would explode. After drifting alone in a life-raft for several hours they were shocked to see the tanker moving in their direction. After boarding her, they took control and eventually sailed her to harbour.

This remarkable exploit was perfectly captured by the Australian poet Michael Thwaites in his famous poem "The Jervis Bay" in 1942. See my thread on him elsewhere here. There is a memorial to Fegen and the Jervis Bay in New Brunswick Canada and another in Bermuda.

[The Sailor]

Great post Herk.
I am going to add the details of the convoy.
""Convoy HX84"

Convoy HX84 departed Halifax Nova Scotia, on Oct 28th 1940, with 38 ships. And was escort from Halifax, by the Canadian destroyers Columbia and St. Francis, once clear of the coast HMS Jervis Bay, took over the unenviable task of escorting. She was a liner built in Barrow in 1922 and had been requisitioned by the British government for use as an armed merchant cruiser. Fitted out with eight 6-inch guns, dating from the turn of the century, which were distributed around her decks, she had a crew of 259 men, and was assigned to convoy duty on the North Atlantic. Earlier, the German 15,000 tons, pocket battleship Admiral Scheer, had slipped quietly into the Atlantic. She located the Jervis Bay's convoy and decided to attack immediately, as it was late afternoon and it would be difficult to find targets in the dark. Captain Fegen of the Jervis Bay decided to advance to meet the raider, in the hope of delaying the Germans long enough to enable most of the convoy to escape. The convoy was ordered to scatter and the Jervis Bay, dropping smoke floats as she went, endeavoured to bring the Admiral Scheer within the range of her guns, but she was no match for the well armoured battleship, and within 15 minutes Jervis Bay was dead in the water; she sank with the loss of 190 of her crew. Although Admiral Scheer sank five other ships, with the British freighters Maiden and Beaverford suffering heavy losses, both sank with their entire crews of ninety-one on the Maiden, and seventy-seven on the Beaverford. The toll would doubtless have been higher were it not for Jervis Bay's valiant charge, in recognition for which Captain Fegen was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross.

Ships in convoy HX84

Vessel Cargo Destination Nationality

Erodona Benzine London GB
Andalusian General Oban GB
Hjalmar Wessel Lumber Gt Yarmouth Norwegian
Rangitiki Refrig / Wood Barry GB
Cornish City General Liverpool GB
Empire Penguin Steel / General Glasgow GB
Trewellard (Lost, 16) Steel / General Liverpool GB
Morska Wola General Manchester Polish
James J Maguire Kerosene Avonmouth GB
Emile Francqui General London Belgian
Persier Steel Hull Belgian
Cetus Pit Props Hull Norwegian
Stureholm Scrap Iron Oban Swedish
Vingaland Steel / General Glasgow Swedish
Delphinula Gasoline Manchester GB
Sovac Lube Oil Mersey GB
San Demetrio Gasoline Avonmouth GB
Maidan (Lost, 91) General / Trucks Liverpool GB
Danaé General Oban French

Fresno City (Lost, 1 serv) Maize Oban GB
Castilian Hull GB
Brairwood Oban GB
Athelempress Clyde GB
Kenbane Head (Lost, 23) General Belfast GB
Beaverford (Lost, 77) Liverpool GB
Cordelia Clyde GB
Atheltemplar Clyde GB
Lancaster Castle Tyne GB
Dan-y-Bryn Oban GB
Trefusis Oban GB
Puck Barrow Polish
Saint Gobain Liverpool French
Anna Bulgari Ellesmere Greek
Varøy Milford Haven Norwegian
Delhi Oban Swedish
Oil Reliance Oban GB
Pacific Enterprise Liverpool GB
Solfonn Clyde Norwegian

The photograph below of H.M.S. Jervis Bay was taken by Peter Tingey, an apprentice aboard the Canonesa. It was taken in September 1940 as the Jervis Bay was escorting Convoy HX72

[herakles]

Thanks for the addition, Sailor. Filled in some gaps!

As a child I used to think that Jervis Bay was one of ours. What with its name etc. And of course we read Thwaites poem at school as of course we read dozens of others like it. We were never told that Thwaites was an Australian. But then, all the poetry we met in school in those far-off days was British. As was our history, geography ... ... ...

It strikes me that for such a large convoy, the protection provided was most inadequate. Perhaps there just wasn't enough to go round to have any more.

[The Sailor]

I used to think that too because of our naval base bearing the same name.
That is what these forums are all about. Learning from these posts.

Before 1944, how many convoys had adequate protection?

[herakles]

Agree. My main memory of convoys is the poor old Compass Rose. Now there was a great film. And a better book.

I'd walk on coals to see Jack Hawkins act.

[AlZictorini]

The name Jervis Bay was given to her because she was one of five sister ships which sailed for the Australian Commonwealth Line. This was a monthly service between Brisbane & London. She and all her "Bay" sister then went to the White Star Line, but due to the depression and the merge with Cunard, Jervis Bay was sold on again to the Aberdeen & Commonwealth Line. She was in London in September 1939 and the British Government requisitioned her. Its from her her story becomes well known.

Her Sister were: Largs Bay, Moreton Bay, Hobsons Bay & Esperance Bay.

Picture courtesy of Björn Larsson

AlZ

[herakles]

The Largs Bay was certainly a passenger ship between Australia and England in the late 40's - early 50's.

[AlZictorini]

Largs Bay & Moreton Bay were the last two of all the sister to operate between the UK & Australia, they were both scrapped in 1957. Nice old liners!

[Batstiger]

Here's my little contribution to the above.

[jbryce1437]

Another pic of the AMC Jervis Bay and Moreton Bay

[Kiwicruiser]

The reference to The Rangitiki interested me (as a Kiwi) and given the district here is spelt Rangitikei. However, Rangitiki it was – she sailed from Wellington 27 Sep 1940 with cargo and passengers for the UK. Later, as described by Sailer, she was part of the convoy heroically defended by HMS JERVIS BAY and reached her destination safely. Afterwards served as a troop transport on outward journeys and shipped food back in her insulated cargo space on the return legs. From late 1942 onwards was employed to the end of the war continuously on transatlantic trooping voyages. Towards the end her passengers included war brides traveling in both directions.

[thedock1010]

Hello, I have a reference here that indicates that 'Hobsons Bay' was renamed 'Esperance Bay' which would make them the same ship. Can someone verify this.

[John Brown]

Dock

Yes you are quite correct. However, be careful as there were two 'Esperance Bays' with one taking over the name from the other.

Have a look at this page and scroll down to 'Hobsons Bay/Esperance bay'

http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/descriptions/ShipsH.html

Hope this helps.


Regards...John

[TACKLINE]

I was interested to find that Jervis Bay's pennant No was F40. HMS Roberts was also F40,and I think she too lived up to the standard set by her predecessor,although not as spectacularly.

[astraltrader]

I thought that this photograph of the Armed Merchant Cruiser Jervis Bay might be a worthy addition to this thread...

[jgsweetman]

Greetings Gentlefolk,
Have been looking into models of AMC HMS Jervis Bay, without a lot of
success. Found only a 1/1200 scale which is too small for my knackered
eyes (Diabetic). It would appear t6he only answer is to scratch build.
Does anyone in the group have knowledge of any commercially available
plans of this Gallant vessel? Some reasonable photos would come in handy
as well as the ones I have are rather small and rather indistinct.
Cheers for now & Thanks in advance.
Regards
John

[Stan.J]

There has been a post about AMC Jervis Bay on this site.Go to search at the top of the page and type Jervis Bay.
Cheers Stan.

[astraltrader]

John - in fact that wouldnt work unless you just typed Jervis as our search engine will reject any word containing 3 letters or less [this was done in order to stop using HMS which would bring up zillions of entries!].

Anyway in order to help below is a link to the thread that Stan referred to and I will in fact transfer this post there after a few days, as we need to cut down on duplicate threads!


http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=677&highlight=JERVIS

[Woodbutcher]

Re Largs Bay.
I travelled from Tilbury to New Zealand Via Suez, late 1946, with my NZ mother, returning after the war, in the Largs Bay. I was 9 at the time, and this trip started my desire to join the Navy, as Ship's Carpenter. She must have been a troop ship at the end of war as she hadn't been converted back to full passenger state, for this trip. Signs, and directions for the troops etc were still to be seen , throughout. I enjoyed the trip and remember not being sick at all, crossing the rough Bay of Biscay. Ship had a rough reputation on later trips to NZ, I recall, similar to that of the Dominion Monarch, a short while later. I have printed the photo of the RN Largs Bay to add to my family history. Thanks to the Contributer.

[Maritime Michael Ian]

Nice Post!

The trouble with convoy escorting at the beginning of WW2 was the fact that we didn't have the right sort of escorts until the production of Corvettes enabled them to perform such valuable tasks. There were, of course, exceptions...like Captain Walker and Starling and his submarine hunting group.

The only vessels immediately available were comandeered passenger ships of varying sizes. The bigger and newer liners were mainly used for troop carrying, because of their size, passenger carrying capacity and speed. The smaller, in comparison, liners became AMCs, totally inadequately armed of course, but psychogically one gun was better than none at all I guess!!

Ian

[herakles]

And how many of those "converted" ships survived the war Ian?

[AndyL]

My father served on the J class destroyer the Jervis, not the Jervis Bay however after his death I found the attached poem on a very fragile piece of paper which leads me to think that it was written around the time when the Jervis Bay was lost. It may be something he copied or one he made up I don't know, but it is quite moving. Also attached is a transcript, as i had trouble deciding what was written (some of the words may be wrong) ruder may be raider.

[NASAAN101]

Guys, i dont know if we can post from Wiki, but i do so here is what i found on here from there: She was the sole escort for 37 merchant ships in Convoy HX-84 from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain, when the convoy encountered the Admiral Scheer. The Captain of Jervis Bay, Edward Fegen, ordered the convoy to scatter and closed with the German warship. The 11-inch guns of the German ship easily outranged Jervis Bay and she was sunk with the loss of 190 crew. However, while Admiral Scheer went on to sink five merchant ships out of the convoy, Jervis Bay's sacrifice bought enough time for the convoy to scatter, and the remaining ships escaped. that what i call ballsy..
Nikki

[Chouan]

Two points.
1) Not all of the AMCs were lost. The "Alcantara", at least, survived the war.
2) I would suggest that the "Jervis Bay", although she and her crew made an heroic sacrifice, wasn't the ship that saved the convoy by delaying the "Admiral Scheer".
The "Jervis Bay" lasted for about half an hour, at which point the convoy, although scattering, was well within range. The Canadian Pacific cargo ship "Beaverford" then attacked the "Scheer", with her two obsolete 4" guns, and kept her occupied for a further 5 hours, before being blown up (part of her cargo was munitions). All of her crew were lost with her.

I would suggest that the "Beaverford" at least deserves a mention.....

[qprdave]

Of course, the Beaverford should be recognised. Although I had never heard of this ship or her exploits before your post.

[Jervis Bay]

good day gentlemen: this is my first post. As my name states, I am interested in HMS Jervis Bay. Right now I am seeking information on a crew member, AB Richard Arthur John Massey. He served aboard the Jervis Bay from 1939 until October 1940.

Massey served aboard HMS Iron Duke 1939, HMS Anchusa, 1941-43, HMS Lochy, 1943-45. He was promoted T/Lt. later in the war.

He died in Dorset in April 1984. Apparently his family were funeral home directors.

I am unable to travel to the UK to research his service file. If anyone has information on Massey, I'd appreciate any information.

I am always seeking information about the Jervis Bay. Have members seen the two books recently written about the ship?

[dennis a feary]

J.Bay, I well remember a friend of mine (now sadly passed the bar) who was a member of the RN Patrol Service off Lowestoft. He would sing a song `The Jervis Bay' in the pub & and I have seen grown men with tears in their eye's at the conclusion of the song. Perhaps someone could post the words here - or in the Songs Thread of Forum.
The ship mention that the crew having abandoned her & reboarded later was the San Drometio, London, and there was a film made of that episode, with I believe some of the actual crew as the `stars' - smashing film it was as well.
RULE BRITANNIA !! Mistress of the Seas !

Sadsac

[John Brown]

J.Bay, I well remember a friend of mine (now sadly passed the bar) who was a member of the RN Patrol Service off Lowestoft. He would sing a song `The Jervis Bay' in the pub & and I have seen grown men with tears in their eye's at the conclusion of the song. Perhaps someone could post the words here - or in the Songs Thread of Forum.
The ship mention that the crew having abandoned her & reboarded later was the San Drometio, London, and there was a film made of that episode, with I believe some of the actual crew as the `stars' - smashing film it was as well.
RULE BRITANNIA !! Mistress of the Seas !

Sadsac

As requested by Dennis, I have posted a version of the song in 'Folk songs of the sea'


Regards...John

[mike d]

Cruel Sea...a first rate book and a fine film. One of Denholm Elliot's early roles,I believe.

[dennis a feary]

John, many thanks for the posting in Songs Thread - much appreciated.
This in the Thread.
JOHN, many thanks for the song. As you imply, there may well be different versions, and now to try to find the music that it was sung to !!
Can just about remember the finishing part (when tears were seen in many an old eye), but as to tune I am as `nutured' in the music area.

MIKE D, yes a great Yarn & film. With apologies to our Aussie readers, I well remember hating the `Jimmy' played by Stanley Baker and had many a laugh at his comments `Snorkers Good-Oh' (still used today) - and the mimicking of that by the later 1st (name escapes me).
Also did'nt we all love the Wren - even at my young (then) age !!
Virginnia McKenna, as I surmise.

Sadsac

[chris westwood]

As requested by Dennis, I have posted a version of the song in 'Folk songs of the sea'


Regards...John
the film had Robert Beattie in the cast, he played a deckhand. I think also the actor who played the butler in upstairs downstairs was in the movie

[astraltrader]

Chris - the actor you were referring to was Gordon Jackson.

[chris westwood]

Chris - the actor you were referring to was Gordon Jackson.
thanks
wasn't he in the professionals as well?

[astraltrader]

He was. From memory he played Major Cowley or something similar!

[chris westwood]

He was. From memory he played Major Cowley or something similar!
getting back on topic a bit
Jackson often played diffident young servicemen caught up in the juggernaut of war in the movies of the period
'San Demetrio London' was one of many films:semi documentaries that highlighhted the way ordinary people were doing extraordinary things. Others were 'One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing', The Big Blockade', 'TheForeman Went To France', 'Fires Were Started', 'Went The Day Well' ( particular favourite of mine)and others. It was an interesting genre and gave a good feel of the zeitgeist of the time

[astraltrader]

Whilst I agree we should get back to topic that should be Jervis Bay.

[chris westwood]

Whilst I agree we should get back to topic that should be Jervis Bay.
aye, that's why I said 'a bit';)

[Trevalgan]

By coincidence I am just reading an excellent book about the Jervis Bay called "If the Gods Are Good" by Gerald Duskin and Ralph Segman, published by the Naval Institute Press.
Another ship which I have not seen much written about is the AMC Rawalpindi, which took on the Scharnhorst and Gniesenau and was sunk with only eleven survivors.

[astraltrader]

Hi - I dont know if you have already seen it or not, but we have an interesting thread in the forum about Rawalpindi which I have provided a link to below for you.


http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2574&highlight=Rawalpindi

[BALTICSUBS]

My one and only photo on Jervis Bay May 1929. That is my Great Grandfather with the word Aboard across his pants. He had just completed a 7 day Drill as he was an ex Pembroke Rating in reserve and then jumped onboard at Southampton. When arriving in Melbourne he kept his reserve service going with the RAN.

When i checked the shipping list there were many ex RN men who had joined the RAN and were on their way to Australia. They were all Petty Officers and many joined HMAS Canberra & Australia as i checked out their Aussie papers. Can't help but think he knew some of them but i would need to look over there British papers.

His wife and daughted followed 6 months later.

[Trevalgan]

Thanks for letting me know, I will check it out

John

[Jervis Bay]

Hello everyone. Thanks for your replies about this ship. The Jervis Bay song was written by the late Cyril Tawney and is available for purchase. It is the only song about the ship which I've been able to find. The song is based on a poem with a few changes.

[aptully]

A very interesting thread. I always found the story of HMS JERVIS BAY, and the similar one with RAWALPINDI inspiring and dramatic.

I haven't seen this posted yet, and since I don't see it much, I thought all would be interested in this painting of the action. It is one of those high-quality accurate type of paintings, for I believe the JERVIS BAY's armament is correct, and you even see RANGITIKI in the background.

There is another very seldom scene depiction; if I come across the old book it is in, will post it also.

- Tony

Source: Liners in Battledress by David Williams.
(Furness Withy)

[Jervis Bay]

hi Tony: thank you for your reply. I do have that image in colour...I'm over 500 pics of the JB now...

[elysium]

I have my late father's "ditty box", recovered from his locker onboard HMS Beryl by a diver in valletta harbour (she was later raised).It contains a letter from his best mate Ralph Lowe, lived in same street, joined RNVR together.Its on headed note paper telling my father about his new draft Jervis Bay.Also a signal from my mother(then his girl friend)telling him that his" brother" Ralph was posted missing

[astraltrader]

hi Tony: thank you for your reply. I do have that image in colour...I'm over 500 pics of the JB now...


In which case why not contribute a few that you consider to be the best of them to the thread?? :confused:

[Jervis Bay]

Here is a YouTube link to my exhibit about HMS Jervis Bay. The exhibit opened in Saint John, New Brunswick, on 05 Nov. 2010, the 70th anniverary of her loss.

The exhibit has a small model of the SS Jervis Bay, a small model of HMS Jervis Bay, and a 3foot+ long model of HMS Jervis Bay as she was outfitted in Saint John in July-Aug. 1940, two months before her loss.

The exhibit has several dozen original artifacts and documents and photos of the ship.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbs_iRGt_bA

[astraltrader]

A very interesting exhibition my friend and I commend you for the work and effort you must have put in.

Nevertheless there are a few photographs that would have been of great interest for our members to appreciate rather than through the medium of you-tube which with no offence intended is of little use when attempting to view them clearly!

Obviously if you did not scan them on to your computer then that is a shame.

[Jervis Bay]

Here are three images of the Jervis Bay. The first is of a commemorative chocolate box issued in Canada in 1941. The second shows the Jervis Bay being hit with a round from the Admiral Scheer. The third shows A/Captain Fegen and his officers at sea in June 1940.

[astraltrader]

Its of no matter - I thought you had over 500 pictures of Jervis Bay and we could have seen some worthwhile examples at a size where some detail could be seen.

[jbryce1437]

I have to agree with Terry, the youtube video is of very poor quality (not your fault but one of the limitations of youtube) and it is impossible to read any of the captions or see any of the photographs clearly. It would be beneficial if you could post some of the photographs here at around 1200 pixels wide, so that we can look at some of the interesting detail.
Having said that, I enjoyed looking at the clip and commend you for your dedication.

Jim