Mid-Ocean Escort Force
Encyclopedia
Mid-Ocean Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II
trade convoy
s between Canada
and the British Isles
. The allocation of United States, British, and Canadian escorts to these convoys reflected preferences of the United States upon their declaration of war, and the organization persisted through the winter of 1942-43 despite withdrawal of United States ships from the escort groups
. By the summer of 1943, United States Atlantic escorts were focused on the faster CU convoys
and the UG convoys
between Chesapeake Bay and the Mediterranean Sea; and only British and Canadian escorts remained on the HX, SC and ON convoys.
, the Admiralty
instituted trade convoys in United Kingdom
coastal waters from September, 1939. Anti-submarine escorts were allocated on the basis of perceived threat. Early German Type II submarine
s from bases in Germany
were unable to operate effectively beyond European coastal waters. Following acquisition of bases in Norway
and France
, German Type IX submarine
s and German Type VII submarine
s refueled by German Type XIV submarine
s operated in the mid-Atlantic beyond the range of patrolling aircraft. Many anti-submarine escorts lacked the endurance to accompany convoys through the mid-Atlantic. HX 129 left Halifax on 27 May 1941 as the first convoy to receive escort for the entire trip. Escorts based in Halifax Harbour
handed HX 129 off to escorts based in Newfoundland who subsequently transferred HX 129 to escorts based in Iceland
who in turn delivered HX 129 to escorts based in the Western Approaches
.
In Newfoundland on 9 August 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
agreed to provide American destroyers for the Canada
to Iceland
portion of HX convoys
and westbound ON convoys
. HX 150 sailed 16 September 1941 as the first convoy with American escort. ON 18 sailed 24 September as the first westbound convoy with American escort. The Royal Canadian Navy
continued to escort the SC convoys
and their slower ON counterparts. Canadian escort groups were increased from a nominal strength of four ships to six -- typically one Canadian River class destroyer
with five Flower class corvette
s.
The Gleaves class destroyer
Kearny
was torpedoed while escorting Convoy SC 48
on 17 October 1941. Clemson class destroyer
Reuben James
was torpedoed and sunk on 31 October 1941 while escorting Convoy HX 156. When the United States declared war, American escort groups typically contained five destroyers, although six USCG Treasury class cutter
s were included within the pool of ships rotating in and out of these escort groups.
from Newfoundland to the British Isles
was considered as a means of eliminating meeting point delays and reducing the number of destroyers required for escort of convoys between Canada
and the United Kingdom
. Initial proposals by the United States on 24 January 1942 produced an agreement in early February for a Mid-Ocean Escort Force organization of fourteen Escort Groups. American-led Escort Groups were prefixed with the letter "A"; while "B" indicated British-led Escort Groups and "C" designated Canadian-led Escort Groups. Fifteen United States destroyers, fifteen Royal Navy destroyers and twelve Canadian destroyers were to provide the striking power of these escort groups while fifty-two British and forty-nine Canadian Flower class corvette
s were to perform the patrolling role. Approximately one-third of the theoretical MOEF escort Group strength of three destroyers and seven corvettes was unavailable at any given time. Half of the unavailable ships needed storm or battle damage repairs, and the remainder were undergoing normal refit and training.
Each MOEF escort Group worked in a 33-day cycle allowing nine and one-half days with a westbound ON convoy, six days in St. John's, Newfoundland, nine and one-half days with an eastbound HX or SC convoy, and 8 days refit in Derry
. The shorter routing away from Iceland eliminated the need for most escorts to attempt maintenance in Iceland's poorly equipped Hvalfjörður
anchorage; but the United States was required to maintain an additional force of five destroyers in Iceland
to escort ships between trans-Atlantic convoys and United States military occupation bases. The Royal Navy continued to provide an eastern local escort force of Naval trawler
s in the Western Approaches
while Canada continued to provide a Western Local Escort Force
(WLEF) of corvettes, minesweepers, and short-range destroyers between Halifax Harbour
and Newfoundland.
Corvettes had adequate endurance for MOEF assignments, but destroyer fuel economy was poor at trade convoy speed. The escort group leaders were modern destroyers with adequate endurance; but, of the older destroyers allocated to trade convoy escort, only the Clemson subgroup
of the Town class destroyer
s proved suitable for MOEF assignments. Wickes class destroyer
s were useful for the Canadian WLEF and the American Iceland shuttle; but lacked endurance to stay with a trade convoy for the full distance covered by the MOEF Escort Groups. The Admiralty
converted some V and W class destroyer
s to long range escorts by removing the forward boiler and using the space for additional fuel tanks.
Nineteen modern American destroyers left the Atlantic to escort battleships New Mexico
, Mississippi
, Idaho
, and North Carolina
and aircraft carriers Yorktown
, Wasp
, and Hornet
to the Pacific. Remaining American destroyers were diverted from MOEF assignments to troop convoys and in response to the U-boat
's Second happy time
off the American east coast. Escort Groups A-1 and A-2 were disbanded when their modern American destroyer leaders were assigned elsewhere. Escort Groups A-4 and A-5 were redesignated B-6 and B-7, respectively, when the Royal Navy
assigned E and F class destroyer
s Fame
and Firedrake
as leaders. Escort Group B-5 was reassigned to Caribbean trade convoys in March 1942. Beginning in April, the following eleven groups escorted HX convoys
, SC convoys
, and ON convoys
through the winter of 1942-43:
Convoy HX 185 was escorted without loss. Gleaves class destroyer
Gleaves
left the escort group after convoy ON 92 lost seven ships. USCG Treasury class cutter
s Spencer
and Campbell
assumed escort leader responsibility. Flower class corvette
s Mayflower
and Trillium
replaced Flower class corvette
s Chilliwack
, Shediac
and Algoma. Convoy HX 190 was escorted without loss. Convoy ON 102 lost one ship torpedoed by U-124. Convoys HX 196 and ON 114 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 95 lost one ship torpedoed by U-705
. Convoy ON 125 was escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
Rosthern
joined the group. Convoy SC 100 lost 3 ships torpedoed by U-596, U-617 and U-432. Convoys ON 135 and HX 212 were escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
Dianthus
replaced Flower class corvette
s Mayflower
and Bittersweet
. Convoy ON 145 lost one ship torpedoed by U-518. Flower class corvette
Dauphin
rotated into the group. Convoys SC 111, ON 156 and HX 223 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 166 lost eleven ships. Convoy SC 121 lost seven ships. Convoy ON 175 was escorted without loss. Convoy HX 233 lost one ship torpedoed by U-628. The escort group was then redesignated C-5 under Canadian command after the USCG Treasury class cutter
s were reassigned for conversion to amphibious force flagships.
s Borage, Meadowsweet and Wallflower joined the group; and Venomous was replaced by the long-range V&W escort
Watchman. Convoys HX 187, ON 96, HX 193, ON 108, SC 92, ON 119, HX 201, ON 124, HX 206, ON 134, SC 105, HX 215, ON 151, SC 114, ON 162, SC 119, ON 171 and HX 230 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 178 lost three ships torpedoed by U-415
and U-191
.
Flower class corvette
s Campanula, Heather
and Mignonette joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyers Leamington
and Veteran
were replaced by long-range V&W escort
s Vanessa and Whitehall. Convoys SC 81, ON 97, SC 86, ON 107, HX 198, ON 118, HX 203, ON 128, HX 208, ON 138, HX 213, ON 148, HX 219 and ON 159 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 118 lost eight ships. Convoys ON 170, SC 123 and ONS 4 were escorted without loss.
and Bulldog were replaced by the E and F class destroyer
Escapade
and the Polish destroyers Burza
and Garland. Flower class corvette
Orchis
replaced Heartsease
and the four corvettes with Free French crews (Aconit, Lobelia, Renoncule and Roselys) were assigned to this group. Convoys HX 188, ON 98, HX 194, ON 110, SC 93, ON 121, HX 202, ON 126, HX 207, ON 136, SC 106, ON 146, HX 218, ON 157 and SC 117 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 167 lost two ships. Convoy HX 228 lost four ships torpedoed by U-221, U-757
and U-444. U-444 was rammed by the group leader Harvester. Harvester
was then torpedoed by U-432. U-432 was then sunk by the Aconit. Thornycroft type leader
Keppel was assigned as group leader replacement. Convoy ON 174 was escorted without loss. Convoy HX 232 lost three ships torpedoed by U-563 and U-168
.
s Abelia
, Clover and Snowflake joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyer Roxborough
was replaced by the Town class destroyer
Beverley
. Convoys SC 82, ON 99, SC 87, ON 109, HX 199, ON 120, HX 204 and ON 130 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 209 lost one ship torpedoed by U-254. Convoys ON 140, HX 214, ON 150, HX 220, ON 161 and ON 169 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 229 lost twelve ships. Convoy ON 176 lost one ship and Beverly
was torpedoed by U-188. Convoy HX 234 lost one ship torpedoed by U-306.
Fame
were joined by the long-range V&W escort
Viscount, the Town class destroyer
Ramsey
, and the Flower class corvette
s Kingcup and Vervain
. Convoys SC 83, ON 101, SC 88, ON 111 and HX 200 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 122 lost four ships torpedoed by U-605, U-176 and U-438. Convoys HX 205 and ON 132 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 104 lost seven ships. Convoy ON 144 lost 5 ships torpedoed by U-264, U-184 and U-624. Montbretia was torpedoed by U-262. Convoy HX 217 lost two ships torpedoed by U-524 and U-553. Convoys ON 155, SC 116, ON 165, HX 227, ONS 1 and SC 125 were escorted without loss.
Flower class corvette
Loosestrife from Escort Group A-5, and the new leader E and F class destroyer
Firedrake
were joined by Town class destroyer
s Chesterfield
and Ripley
and by Flower class corvette
s Alisma, Coreopsis, Jonquil
, Pink and Sunflower. Convoys HX 186, ON 94, HX 192, ON 106, SC 91, ON 117, SC 103, ON 142 and HX 216 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 153 lost three ships torpedoed by U-610, U-356 and U-621. Group leader Firedrake
was torpedoed by U-211. D class destroyer
Duncan
was assigned as group leader replacement; and new River class frigate
Tay
joined the group. Convoys SC 115, ON 164, SC 120 and ON 173 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 231 lost three ships torpedoed by U-635, U-630 and U-706. Convoy ONS 5 lost eleven ships.
was replaced by Flower class corvette
s Battleford
, Chilliwack
, Orillia and Primrose. Convoy HX 189 was escorted without loss. Convoy ON 100 lost three ships torpedoed by U-94 and U-124. Convoys HX 195 and ON 112 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 94 lost ten ships. Group leader Assiniboine and Flower class corvette
s Dianthus
, Nasturtium and Primrose were replaced by destroyer St. Laurent and Flower class corvette
s Eyebright
, Napanee
, Kenogami
and Shediac
. Convoys ON 123, SC 99, ON 133, HX 211, ON 143 and SC 110 were escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
s Orillia, Chambly
and Eyebright
rotated out of the group. Convoy ON 154 lost thirteen ships. Convoy HX 222 lost one ship torpedoed by U-268. Flower class corvette
Chilliwack
was replaced by new River class frigate
Itchen. Convoys ONS 2 and SC 127 were escorted without loss.
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Convoys SC 84, ON 103 and SC 89 were escorted without loss. Destroyer Burnham replaced destroyer St. Laurent; and Flower class corvette
Dauphin
joined the group. Convoy ON 113 lost three ships torpedoed by U-552, U-607
and U-132
while Town class destroyer
St. Croix
sank U-90. Convoys HX 201 and ON 119 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 97 lost two ships torpedoed by U-609 while Morden sank U-756
. Convoys ON 129 and SC 102 were escorted without loss. Destroyer Sherwood replaced destroyer Burnham; and Flower class corvette
s Pictou
and Primrose replaced Flower class corvette
s Dauphin
and Brandon. Convoy ON 139 lost two ships torpedoed by U-443. Flower class corvette
Orillia joined the group. Convoys SC 108, ON 149 and SC 113 were escorted without loss. New River class frigate
s Lagan and Waveney joined the group. Convoys ON 160, HX 225 and ON 179 were escorted without loss.
Camrose
was replaced by corvette Agassiz
. Convoy ON 115 lost two ships torpedoed by U-552 and U-553 while Skeena
and Flower class corvette
Wetaskiwin
sank U-588. Convoys HX 202, ON 121, SC 98, ON 131, HX 210 and ON 141 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 109 lost one ship torpedoed by U-43 and Saguenay
was irreparably damaged when depth charges blew off its stern following a collision. Town class destroyer
Burnham replaced Saguenay
. Flower class corvette
s Wetaskiwin
, Sackville
, Galt
and Agassiz
were replaced by corvettes Bittersweet
, Eyebright
, La Malbaie and Mayflower
. New River class frigate
Jed joined the group. Convoys ON 152, HX 221, ON 163, HX 226, ON 172, SC 124 and ON 180 were escorted without loss.
was replaced by Town class destroyer
St. Croix
and Flower class corvette
s Lethbridge, Prescott and Eyebright
were replaced by corvettes Amherst, Celandine and Sherbrooke. Convoy ON 127 lost six ships; and Ottawa was torpedoed by U-91
. Convoys SC 101 and ON 137 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 107 lost fifteen ships. Destroyer St. Croix
was replaced by Town class destroyer
Churchill
and Flower class corvette
Arvida was replaced by corvettes Brandon and Collingwood. Convoys ON 147, SC 112 and ON 158 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 224 lost two ships torpedoed by U-456. Convoys ON 177 and HX 235 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group B-5 returned to MOEF with G and H class destroyer
Havelock
, Flower class corvette
s Pimpernel, Godetia, Saxifrage, Buttercup and Lavender and with new River class frigate
Swale
replacing the old destroyers. Convoy ON 168 was escorted without loss. Convoy SC 122 lost 8 ships. Convoy SC 126 was escorted without loss.
River class frigate
s brought two significant advantages to MOEF. Their numbers allowed the older escorts time to refit with modern sensors like 10-centimeter radar
and modern anti-submarine weapons like the Hedgehog
projector. Destroyers replaced by new frigates were formed into mobile support groups able to move rapidly to convoys coming under attack. Through 1943, new escort carriers became available to increase the surveillance capability of support groups. As the winter weather cleared, new long-range B-24 Liberator
patrol bombers extended surveillance into the mid-Atlantic.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
trade convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
s between Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
. The allocation of United States, British, and Canadian escorts to these convoys reflected preferences of the United States upon their declaration of war, and the organization persisted through the winter of 1942-43 despite withdrawal of United States ships from the escort groups
Escort Group (naval)
Escort Groups for convoy protection were a British development in the war at sea during World War II. They were a tactical innovation by the Royal Navy in anti-submarine warfare, to combat the threat of the German Navy's "wolfpack" tactics....
. By the summer of 1943, United States Atlantic escorts were focused on the faster CU convoys
CU convoys
The CU convoys were a World War II series of fast trans-Atlantic convoys to the British Isles. The earliest convoys of the series were tankers sailing directly from petroleum refineries at Curaçao to the United Kingdom...
and the UG convoys
UG convoys
The UG convoys were a series of east-bound trans-Atlantic convoys from the United States to Gibraltar carrying food, ammunition, and military hardware to the United States Army in North Africa and southern Europe during World War II...
between Chesapeake Bay and the Mediterranean Sea; and only British and Canadian escorts remained on the HX, SC and ON convoys.
Background
On the basis of experience during World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
instituted trade convoys in United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
coastal waters from September, 1939. Anti-submarine escorts were allocated on the basis of perceived threat. Early German Type II submarine
German Type II submarine
The Type II U-boat was designed by Germany as a coastal U-boat, modeled after the CV-707 submarine, which was designed by the Dutch dummy company NV Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw den Haag and built in 1933 by the...
s from bases in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
were unable to operate effectively beyond European coastal waters. Following acquisition of bases in Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
and France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, German Type IX submarine
German Type IX submarine
The Type IX U-boat was designed by Germany in 1935 and 1936 as a large ocean-going submarine for sustained operations far from the home support facilities. Type IX boats were briefly used for patrols off the eastern United States in an attempt to disrupt the stream of troops and supplies bound for...
s and German Type VII submarine
German Type VII submarine
Type VII U-boats were the most common type of German World War II U-boat. The Type VII was based on earlier German submarine designs going back to the World War I Type UB III, designed through the Dutch dummy company Ingenieurskantoor voor Scheepsbouw den Haag which was set up by Germany after...
s refueled by German Type XIV submarine
German Type XIV submarine
The Type XIV U-boat was a modification of the Type IXD, designed to resupply other U-boats. They were nicknamed "Milchkuh/Milchkühe " . They had no torpedo tubes or deck guns, only anti-aircraft guns. Due to its large size, the Type XIV could resupply other boats with 400 tons of fuel, four...
s operated in the mid-Atlantic beyond the range of patrolling aircraft. Many anti-submarine escorts lacked the endurance to accompany convoys through the mid-Atlantic. HX 129 left Halifax on 27 May 1941 as the first convoy to receive escort for the entire trip. Escorts based in Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
handed HX 129 off to escorts based in Newfoundland who subsequently transferred HX 129 to escorts based in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
who in turn delivered HX 129 to escorts based in the Western Approaches
Western Approaches
The Western Approaches is a rectangular area of the Atlantic ocean lying on the western coast of Great Britain. The rectangle is higher than it is wide, the north and south boundaries defined by the north and south ends of the British Isles, the eastern boundary lying on the western coast, and the...
.
American Escorts
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
agreed to provide American destroyers for the Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
to Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
portion of HX convoys
HX convoys
The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...
and westbound ON convoys
ON convoys
The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...
. HX 150 sailed 16 September 1941 as the first convoy with American escort. ON 18 sailed 24 September as the first westbound convoy with American escort. The Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
continued to escort the SC convoys
SC convoys
The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...
and their slower ON counterparts. Canadian escort groups were increased from a nominal strength of four ships to six -- typically one Canadian River class destroyer
Canadian River class destroyer
The River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.-Description:...
with five Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s.
The Gleaves class destroyer
Gleaves class destroyer
The Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
Kearny
USS Kearny (DD-432)
USS Kearny , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was a United States Navy ship named for Commodore Lawrence Kearny, who was known for his tenacity in capturing slave traders in West-Indian waters and his tireless efforts in fighting Greek pirates in the Mediterranean.-Early history:Kearny was launched 9...
was torpedoed while escorting Convoy SC 48
Convoy SC 48
SC 48 was a North Atlantic convoy of the SC series which ran during the battle of the Atlantic in World War II.It was notable for being the occasion of the Kearny incident, which brought the United States one step closer to war with Germany.-Prelude:...
on 17 October 1941. Clemson class destroyer
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
Reuben James
USS Reuben James (DD-245)
USS Reuben James —a post-World War I four-funnel Clemson-class destroyer—was the first United States Navy ship sunk by hostile action in World War II and the first named for Boatswain's Mate Reuben James , who distinguished himself fighting in the Barbary Wars.Reuben James was laid down on 2 April...
was torpedoed and sunk on 31 October 1941 while escorting Convoy HX 156. When the United States declared war, American escort groups typically contained five destroyers, although six USCG Treasury class cutter
USCG Treasury Class Cutter
The Treasury-class high endurance cutters were a group of seven ships launched by the United States Coast Guard between 1936 and 1937. The class were called the "Treasury-class" because they were each named for former Secretaries of the Treasury. These ships were also collectively known as the...
s were included within the pool of ships rotating in and out of these escort groups.
Long-Range Escort Organization
As the United States Navy struggled to find enough destroyers to meet escort needs for both the Pacific and the vulnerable Atlantic coastal shipping, the shorter great-circle routeGreat-circle navigation
Great-circle navigation is the practice of navigating a vessel along a track that follows a great circle. A great circle track is the shortest distance between two points on the surface of a planetary body, assuming a perfect spherical model.-Methods:In order to construct a great circle track,...
from Newfoundland to the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
was considered as a means of eliminating meeting point delays and reducing the number of destroyers required for escort of convoys between Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Initial proposals by the United States on 24 January 1942 produced an agreement in early February for a Mid-Ocean Escort Force organization of fourteen Escort Groups. American-led Escort Groups were prefixed with the letter "A"; while "B" indicated British-led Escort Groups and "C" designated Canadian-led Escort Groups. Fifteen United States destroyers, fifteen Royal Navy destroyers and twelve Canadian destroyers were to provide the striking power of these escort groups while fifty-two British and forty-nine Canadian Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s were to perform the patrolling role. Approximately one-third of the theoretical MOEF escort Group strength of three destroyers and seven corvettes was unavailable at any given time. Half of the unavailable ships needed storm or battle damage repairs, and the remainder were undergoing normal refit and training.
Each MOEF escort Group worked in a 33-day cycle allowing nine and one-half days with a westbound ON convoy, six days in St. John's, Newfoundland, nine and one-half days with an eastbound HX or SC convoy, and 8 days refit in Derry
Derry
Derry or Londonderry is the second-biggest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-biggest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Doire or Doire Cholmcille meaning "oak-wood of Colmcille"...
. The shorter routing away from Iceland eliminated the need for most escorts to attempt maintenance in Iceland's poorly equipped Hvalfjörður
Hvalfjörður
Hvalfjörður is situated in the west of Iceland between Mosfellsbær and Akranes. The fjord is approximately 30 km long and 5 km wide....
anchorage; but the United States was required to maintain an additional force of five destroyers in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
to escort ships between trans-Atlantic convoys and United States military occupation bases. The Royal Navy continued to provide an eastern local escort force of Naval trawler
Naval trawler
A naval trawler is a vessel built along the lines of a fishing trawler but fitted out for naval purposes. Naval trawlers were widely used during the First and Second world wars. Fishing trawlers were particularly suited for many naval requirements because they were robust boats designed to work...
s in the Western Approaches
Western Approaches
The Western Approaches is a rectangular area of the Atlantic ocean lying on the western coast of Great Britain. The rectangle is higher than it is wide, the north and south boundaries defined by the north and south ends of the British Isles, the eastern boundary lying on the western coast, and the...
while Canada continued to provide a Western Local Escort Force
Western Local Escort Force
Western Local Escort Force referred to the organization of anti-submarine escorts for World War II trade convoys from North American port cities to the Western Ocean Meeting Point near Newfoundland where ships of the Mid-Ocean Escort Force assumed responsibility for safely delivering the convoys...
(WLEF) of corvettes, minesweepers, and short-range destroyers between Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
and Newfoundland.
Initial MOEF Escort Group Composition
- Escort Group A-1: Benson class destroyerBenson class destroyerThe Benson class was a class of 30 destroyers of the U.S. Navy built 1939–1943. The first ship of the class was the . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Benson class....
BensonUSS Benson (DD-421)USS Benson was the lead ship of her class of destroyers in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Admiral William S. Benson ....
and Clemson class destroyerClemson class destroyerThe Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
s BroomeUSS Broome (DD-210)USS Broome was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named after Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel John L. Broome....
, MacLeishUSS MacLeish (DD-220)USS MacLeish was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant Kenneth MacLeish....
and McCormickUSS McCormick (DD-223)USS McCormick was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Lieutenant, junior grade Alexander McCormick, Jr....
with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s AlberniHMCS Alberni (K103)HMCS Alberni was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy .-Construction:She was ordered on 14 February 1940 from Yarrows Ltd. in Esquimalt, British Columbia and laid down on 29 April. She was launched on 22 August 1940 and commissioned into the RCN on 4 February 1941. She...
, Collingwood and Hepatica
- Escort Group A-2: Gleaves class destroyerGleaves class destroyerThe Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
NiblackUSS Niblack (DD-424)USS Niblack , a Gleaves-class destroyer, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Albert Parker Niblack. Niblack became the Director of Naval Intelligence 1 March 1919, and Naval Attache in London 6 August 1920. As Vice Admiral, he commanded U.S...
and USCG Treasury class cutterUSCG Treasury Class CutterThe Treasury-class high endurance cutters were a group of seven ships launched by the United States Coast Guard between 1936 and 1937. The class were called the "Treasury-class" because they were each named for former Secretaries of the Treasury. These ships were also collectively known as the...
Ingham with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s MayflowerHMCS Mayflower (K191)HMCS Mayflower was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 3 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 15 May 1941...
, RosthernHMCS Rosthern (K169)HMCS Rosthern was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was laid down on 18 June 1940 at Port Arthur Shipbuilding in Port Arthur, Ontario and launched on 30 November 1940. She was named after the town of Rosthern, Saskatchewan....
, Aggasiz, ChamblyHMCS Chambly (K116)HMCS Chambly was a serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, laid down on 20 February 1940, launched on 29 July, and commissioned on 18 December 1940, named after the city of Chambly, Quebec...
, Barrie and Aconit
- Escort Group A-3: Gleaves class destroyerGleaves class destroyerThe Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
GleavesUSS Gleaves (DD-423)USS Gleaves , the lead ship of the Gleaves-class of destroyers, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Admiral Albert Gleaves, who is credited with improving the accuracy and precision of torpedoes and other naval arms....
with USCG Treasury class cutterUSCG Treasury Class CutterThe Treasury-class high endurance cutters were a group of seven ships launched by the United States Coast Guard between 1936 and 1937. The class were called the "Treasury-class" because they were each named for former Secretaries of the Treasury. These ships were also collectively known as the...
SpencerUSCGC Spencer (WPG-36)USCGC Spencer was a Treasury-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard that served during World War II.-Early career and World War II:...
and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s BittersweetHMCS Bittersweet (K182)HMCS Bittersweet was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Marine Industries Ltd. in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, and laid down on 17 April 1940. She was launched on 12 September 1940 and transferred to the RCN on 23 January 1941...
, ChilliwackHMCS Chilliwack (K131)HMCS Chilliwack was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, British Columbia, laid down on 3 July 1940, launched on 14 September 1940, and commissioned on 8 April 1941 named after the city of Chilliwack, British Columbia.-Background:Flower-class...
, ShediacHMCS Shediac (K110)HMCS Shediac was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec, laid down on 5 October 1940, launched on 29 April 1941, and commissioned on 8 July 1941 named after the town of Shediac, New Brunswick.-Background:Flower-class corvettes...
and Algoma
- Escort Group A-4: Benson class destroyerBenson class destroyerThe Benson class was a class of 30 destroyers of the U.S. Navy built 1939–1943. The first ship of the class was the . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Benson class....
MayoUSS Mayo (DD-422)USS Mayo was a Benson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for Admiral Henry Thomas Mayo....
and Clemson class destroyerClemson class destroyerThe Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
SimpsonUSS Simpson (DD-221)USS Simpson was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first ship named for Rear Admiral Edward Simpson....
with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Impulsive, Ready, Andenes, Eglantine, Rose, Potentilla and Mignonette
- Escort Group A-5: Gleaves class destroyerGleaves class destroyerThe Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
BristolUSS Bristol (DD-453)USS Bristol was a Gleaves-class destroyer of the United States Navy, named for Rear Admiral Mark Lambert Bristol. She was launched 25 July 1941 by Federal Shipbuilding, Kearny, New Jersey; sponsored by Mrs. Powell Clayton, and commissioned 22 October 1941, Lieutenant Commander C. C...
and Sims class destroyerSims class destroyerThe Sims-class consisted of 12 destroyers in the United States Navy, built in seven various shipyards, and commissioned in 1939 and 1940. It was the last United States destroyer class completed prior to World War II. All Sims-class ships saw action in World War II, and seven survived the war...
BuckUSS Buck (DD-420)The second USS Buck , a World War II-era Sims-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, was named after Quartermaster James Buck, a Civil War Medal of Honor Recipient.-Early career:...
with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Kingcup, Loosestrife, Dianella and Roselys
- Escort Group B-1: G and H class destroyerG and H class destroyerThe G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
HurricaneHMS Hurricane (H06)HMS Hurricane was a Royal Navy Havant class destroyer built by Vickers Armstrong. Hurricane was launched on 29 September 1939 and sunk by U-415 on 24 December 1943 with Cdr. Charles Edward Eustace Paterson, RN as commander. The Hurricane sunk north-east of Azores in position 45º10'N, 22º05'W...
with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
RockinghamUSS Swasey (DD-273)The first USS Swasey was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy and transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Rockingham .-USS Swasey:...
, V and W class destroyerV and W class destroyerThe V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
Venomous, and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Anchusa, Dahlia and Monkshood
- Escort Group B-2: G and H class destroyerG and H class destroyerThe G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
HesperusHMS Hesperus (H57)HMS Hesperus was an H-class destroyer originally ordered by the Brazilian Navy with the name Juruena in the late 1930s, but was bought by the Royal Navy after the beginning of World War II in September 1939.-Description:...
with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
LeamingtonUSS Twiggs (DD-127)The first USS Twiggs was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Major Levi Twiggs. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy, as HMS Leamington and to the Soviet Navy as Zhguchiy, before returning to Britain to star in the film The Gift Horse,...
, V and W class destroyerV and W class destroyerThe V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
VeteranHMS Veteran (D72)HMS Veteran was a V class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was the third ship to carry the name Veteran. She was launched in 1919 and therefore missed the First World War. She served as a convoy escort in the Second World War before being sunk by the German U-boat U-404 while rescuing survivors...
, and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Clematis, GentianHMS Gentian (K90)HMS Gentian was a Royal Navy Flower-class corvette that served in the Battle of the Atlantic, during World War II.One of the first batch of wartime corvettes laid down, she served most of the time in the Western Approaches, escorting convoys across the North Atlantic with Escort Group B2 and was...
, Sweetbriar and VervainHMS Vervain (K190)HMS Vervain was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War.On 28 February 1943 the liberty ship SS Wade Hampton was torpedoed by U-405 while sailing in a convoy from New York to Murmansk, Russia...
- Escort Group B-3: G and H class destroyerG and H class destroyerThe G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
HarvesterHMS Harvester (H19)HMS Harvester was an H-class destroyer originally ordered by the Brazilian Navy with the name Jurua in the late 1930s, but was bought by the Royal Navy after the beginning of World War II in September 1939. Almost immediately after commissioning, in May 1940, the ship began evacuating Allied troops...
with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
GeorgetownUSS Maddox (DD-168)USS Maddox was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Georgetown , to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Georgetown, and then to the Soviet Navy as Doblestny .-History:Named for William A. T...
, B class destroyerB class destroyerThe B class was a class of nine destroyers of the British Royal Navy, ordered as part of the 1928 Naval Estimates, launched in 1930 and that commissioned in 1931. The class was similar to the preceding A class, with minor modifications...
Bulldog, and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s HeartseaseHMS Heartsease (K15)HMS Heartsease was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She served with both the Royal Navy and the United States Navy during the Second World War, with the latter navy as USS Courage...
, NarcissusHMS Narcissus (K74)HMS Narcissus was which served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War from 1941 to the end of the war in 1945. She primarily escorted convoys across the Atlantic Ocean.- Construction and armament :...
, Lobelia and Renoncule
- Escort Group B-4: G and H class destroyerG and H class destroyerThe G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
HighlanderHMS Highlander (H44)HMS Highlander was classed as an H class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She had originally been built for the Brazilian Navy but was bought by Britain on the outbreak of the Second World War. She resembled the standard destroyers of H class but displaced 1,400 tons and was completed with extra depth...
with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
RoxboroughUSS Foote (DD-169)The second USS Foote was a in the United States Navy following World War I. She was transferred to the Royal Navy as and later to the Soviet Navy as Zhyostky.-As USS Foote:...
, V and W class destroyerV and W class destroyerThe V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
WinchelseaHMS Winchelsea (D46)HMS Winchelsea was a W Class destroyer of the Royal Navy, ordered 9 December 1916 from J. Samuel White at Cowes during the 1916-17 Build Programme....
, and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Anemone, Pennywort and Asphodel
- Escort Group B-5: G and H class destroyerG and H class destroyerThe G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
HavelockHMS Havelock (H88)HMS Havelock was an Havant class destroyer of the Royal Navy.- History :She was originally laid down as Jutahy for the Brazilian Navy by White at Cowes. Jutahy was launched on 7 July 1936, and completed on 18 January 1937. Jutahy was one of six Brazilian destroyers purchased in September 1939,...
with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
CaldwellUSS Hale (DD-133)The first USS Hale was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I, later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Caldwell ...
, V and W class destroyerV and W class destroyerThe V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
s VanocHMS Vanoc (H33)HMS Vanoc was a British V class destroyer, launched in 1917.-Service:-1940:She accompanied HMS Scarborough in February 1940 on her first Atlantic escort duties after Scarborough 's refit. On 29 April 1940 she deployed with the destroyers HMS Echo, Firedrake, Havelock and Arrow to evacuate troops...
and Walker, and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Pimpernel, Godetia and Saxifrage
- Escort Group C-1: Canadian River class destroyerCanadian River class destroyerThe River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.-Description:...
Assiniboine and Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
St. CroixUSS McCook (DD-252)The first USS McCook was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She transferred to the Royal Navy and then to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS St. Croix during World War II.- As USS McCook :...
with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s BuctoucheHMCS Buctouche (K179)HMCS Buctouche was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy.-Construction:She was ordered on 22 January 1940 from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec and laid down on 14 August 1940. She was launched on 20 November 1940 and commissioned into the RCN on 5 June 1941. She is named...
, ChamblyHMCS Chambly (K116)HMCS Chambly was a serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, laid down on 20 February 1940, launched on 29 July, and commissioned on 18 December 1940, named after the city of Chambly, Quebec...
, DianthusHMS Dianthus (K95)HMS Dianthus was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 9 July 1940 from the Leith Docks on the Firth of Forth and named after the genus of flowering plants including Carnation, Pink, and Sweet William...
and Nasturtium
- Escort Group C-2: Canadian River class destroyerCanadian River class destroyerThe River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.-Description:...
St. Laurent with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
BroadwayUSS Hunt (DD-194)USS Hunt was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the United States Coast Guard, as USCGD Hunt . She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Broadway ....
and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Brandon, Drumheller, Morden and PolyanthusHMS Polyanthus (K47)HMS Polyanthus was a of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 30 November 1940 from Leith Docks on the Firth of Forth, at an estimated cost of £55,000...
- Escort Group C-3: Canadian River class destroyerCanadian River class destroyerThe River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.-Description:...
s SaguenayHMCS Saguenay (D79)HMCS Saguenay was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and initially wore the pennant D79, changed in 1940 to I79....
and SkeenaHMCS Skeena (D59)HMCS Skeena was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to I59....
with Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s WetaskiwinHMCS Wetaskiwin (K175)HMCS Wetaskiwin was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver and laid down on 11 April 1940. She was launched on 18 July 1940 and commissioned on 17 December 1940...
, SackvilleHMCS Sackville (K181)HMCS Sackville was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later served as a civilian research vessel. She is now a museum ship located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the last surviving Flower-class corvette.-Wartime service:...
, GaltHMCS Galt (K163)The HMCS Galt was a of the Royal Canadian Navy, named after the city of Galt, Ontario. She was ordered from Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario and laid down on 27 May 1940; she was launched on 28 December 1940 and commissioned on 15 May 1941....
and CamroseHMCS Camrose (K154)HMCS Camrose was a Royal Canadian Navy which took part in convoy escort duties during World War II.Camrose was laid down at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel on 17 September 1940, launched on 16 November 1940 and commissioned 30 June 1941...
- Escort Group C-4: Canadian River class destroyerCanadian River class destroyerThe River class was a class of fourteen destroyers of the Royal Canadian Navy that served before and during the Second World War. They were named after Canadian rivers.-Description:...
s Ottawa and Restigouche with Town class destroyerTown class destroyerThe Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
St. FrancisUSS Bancroft (DD-256)The second USS Bancroft was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy, and transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, where she served as HMCS St. Francis during World War II.-As USS Bancroft:...
and Flower class corvetteFlower class corvetteThe Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Lethbridge, Prescott, EyebrightHMCS Eyebright (K150)HMCS Eyebright was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 22 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 26 November 1940...
and Arvida
Shortage of Destroyers
Clemson class destroyer
The Clemson class was a series of 156 destroyers which served with the United States Navy from after World War I through World War II.The Clemson-class ships were commissioned by the United States Navy from 1919 to 1922, built by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, New York Shipbuilding...
of the Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
s proved suitable for MOEF assignments. Wickes class destroyer
Wickes class destroyer
The Wickes-class destroyers were a group of 111 destroyers built by the United States Navy in 1917-1919. Along with the 6 preceding Caldwell class and 155 subsequent Clemson-class destroyers, they formed the "flush-deck" or "four-stack" class. Only a few were completed in time to serve in World...
s were useful for the Canadian WLEF and the American Iceland shuttle; but lacked endurance to stay with a trade convoy for the full distance covered by the MOEF Escort Groups. The Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
converted some V and W class destroyer
V and W class destroyer
The V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
s to long range escorts by removing the forward boiler and using the space for additional fuel tanks.
USS New Mexico (BB-40)
USS New Mexico was a battleship in service with the United States Navy from 1918 to 1946. She was the lead ship of a class of three battleships. New Mexico was extensively modernized between 1931 and 1933 and saw service during World War II both in the Atlantic and Pacific theatres. After her...
, Mississippi
USS Mississippi (BB-41)
USS Mississippi , a , was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 20th state, and the second battleship to carry the name. Commissioned in 1917, too late to serve in World War I, she served extensively in the Pacific in World War II, for which she earned eight battle stars...
, Idaho
USS Idaho (BB-42)
USS Idaho , a , was the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 43rd state. Her keel was laid down by the New York Shipbuilding Corporation of Camden, New Jersey...
, and North Carolina
USS North Carolina (BB-55)
USS North Carolina was the lead ship of her class of battleship and the fourth in the United States Navy to be named in honor of this U.S. state. She was the first new-construction U.S. battleship to enter service during World War II, participating in every major naval offensive in the Pacific...
and aircraft carriers Yorktown
USS Yorktown (CV-5)
was an aircraft carrier commissioned in the United States Navy from 1937 until she was sunk at the Battle of Midway in June 1942. She was named after the Battle of Yorktown in 1781 and the lead ship of the Yorktown class which was designed after lessons learned from operations with the large...
, Wasp
USS Wasp (CV-7)
USS Wasp was a United States Navy aircraft carrier. The eighth Navy ship of that name, she was the sole ship of her class. Built to use up the remaining tonnage allowed to the U.S. for aircraft carriers under the treaties of the time, she was built on a reduced-size version of the Yorktown-class...
, and Hornet
USS Hornet (CV-8)
USS Hornet CV-8, the seventh ship to carry the name Hornet, was a of the United States Navy. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she launched the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo and participated in the Battle of Midway and the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai Raid...
to the Pacific. Remaining American destroyers were diverted from MOEF assignments to troop convoys and in response to the U-boat
U-boat
U-boat is the anglicized version of the German word U-Boot , itself an abbreviation of Unterseeboot , and refers to military submarines operated by Germany, particularly in World War I and World War II...
's Second happy time
Second happy time
The Second Happy Time , also known among German submarine commanders as the "American shooting season" was the informal name for a phase in the Second Battle of the Atlantic during which Axis submarines attacked merchant shipping along the east coast of North America...
off the American east coast. Escort Groups A-1 and A-2 were disbanded when their modern American destroyer leaders were assigned elsewhere. Escort Groups A-4 and A-5 were redesignated B-6 and B-7, respectively, when the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
assigned E and F class destroyer
E and F class destroyer
The E and F class was a class of 18 destroyers of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War. Three ships were later transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, one to the Royal Hellenic Navy and one to the Dominican Navy. Launched in 1934, they served in the Second World War. Nine were lost...
s Fame
HMS Fame (H78)
HMS Fame was an F class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was active during the Second World War, taking part in the Battle of the Atlantic.-Construction:...
and Firedrake
HMS Firedrake (H79)
HMS Firedrake was an F-class destroyer of the Royal Navy built in 1934. She took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was torpedoed in 1942.-Construction:...
as leaders. Escort Group B-5 was reassigned to Caribbean trade convoys in March 1942. Beginning in April, the following eleven groups escorted HX convoys
HX convoys
The HX convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys which ran during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. They were east-bound convoys and originated in Halifax, Nova Scotia from where they sailed to ports in the United Kingdom...
, SC convoys
SC convoys
The SC convoys were a series of North Atlantic convoys that ran during the battle of the Atlantic during World War II.They were east-bound slow convoys originating in Sydney, Cape Breton ; from there they sailed to ports in the UK, mainly Liverpool.For a time after the entry of the...
, and ON convoys
ON convoys
The ON convoys were a series of North Atlantic trade convoys running Outbound from the British Isles to North America during the Battle of the Atlantic .-History:...
through the winter of 1942-43:
Escort Group A-3
Gleaves class destroyer
The Gleaves-class destroyers were a class of 66 destroyers of the United States Navy built 1938–1942, and designed by Gibbs & Cox. The first ship of the class was the USS Gleaves . The U.S. Navy customarily names a class of ships after the first ship of the class; hence the Gleaves class...
Gleaves
USS Gleaves (DD-423)
USS Gleaves , the lead ship of the Gleaves-class of destroyers, is the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Admiral Albert Gleaves, who is credited with improving the accuracy and precision of torpedoes and other naval arms....
left the escort group after convoy ON 92 lost seven ships. USCG Treasury class cutter
USCG Treasury Class Cutter
The Treasury-class high endurance cutters were a group of seven ships launched by the United States Coast Guard between 1936 and 1937. The class were called the "Treasury-class" because they were each named for former Secretaries of the Treasury. These ships were also collectively known as the...
s Spencer
USCGC Spencer (WPG-36)
USCGC Spencer was a Treasury-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard that served during World War II.-Early career and World War II:...
and Campbell
USCGC Campbell (WPG-32)
USCGC Campbell was a Secretary-Class Coast Guard ship built at the Philadelphia Navy Yard in 1935-1936 and commissioned in 1936. Seven similar "combat cutters" were built and named for secretaries of the United States Treasury...
assumed escort leader responsibility. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Mayflower
HMCS Mayflower (K191)
HMCS Mayflower was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 3 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 15 May 1941...
and Trillium
HMCS Trillium (K172)
HMCS Trillium was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 26 June 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 31 October 1940...
replaced Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Chilliwack
HMCS Chilliwack (K131)
HMCS Chilliwack was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, British Columbia, laid down on 3 July 1940, launched on 14 September 1940, and commissioned on 8 April 1941 named after the city of Chilliwack, British Columbia.-Background:Flower-class...
, Shediac
HMCS Shediac (K110)
HMCS Shediac was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec, laid down on 5 October 1940, launched on 29 April 1941, and commissioned on 8 July 1941 named after the town of Shediac, New Brunswick.-Background:Flower-class corvettes...
and Algoma. Convoy HX 190 was escorted without loss. Convoy ON 102 lost one ship torpedoed by U-124. Convoys HX 196 and ON 114 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 95 lost one ship torpedoed by U-705
German submarine U-705
German submarine U-705 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine during World War II.Commissioned on 30 December 1941, she served with the 5th U-Boat Flotilla until 31 July as a training boat, and as a front boat of 66th Flotilla under the command of Kapitänleutnant Karl-Horst Horn, until...
. Convoy ON 125 was escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Rosthern
HMCS Rosthern (K169)
HMCS Rosthern was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was laid down on 18 June 1940 at Port Arthur Shipbuilding in Port Arthur, Ontario and launched on 30 November 1940. She was named after the town of Rosthern, Saskatchewan....
joined the group. Convoy SC 100 lost 3 ships torpedoed by U-596, U-617 and U-432. Convoys ON 135 and HX 212 were escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Dianthus
HMS Dianthus (K95)
HMS Dianthus was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 9 July 1940 from the Leith Docks on the Firth of Forth and named after the genus of flowering plants including Carnation, Pink, and Sweet William...
replaced Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Mayflower
HMCS Mayflower (K191)
HMCS Mayflower was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 3 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 15 May 1941...
and Bittersweet
HMCS Bittersweet (K182)
HMCS Bittersweet was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Marine Industries Ltd. in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, and laid down on 17 April 1940. She was launched on 12 September 1940 and transferred to the RCN on 23 January 1941...
. Convoy ON 145 lost one ship torpedoed by U-518. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Dauphin
HMCS Dauphin (K157)
HMCS Dauphin was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 6 July 1940. She was launched on 24 October 1940 and commissioned on 17 May 1941. She was named after the city of Dauphin, Manitoba.Dauphin escorted merchant ships...
rotated into the group. Convoys SC 111, ON 156 and HX 223 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 166 lost eleven ships. Convoy SC 121 lost seven ships. Convoy ON 175 was escorted without loss. Convoy HX 233 lost one ship torpedoed by U-628. The escort group was then redesignated C-5 under Canadian command after the USCG Treasury class cutter
USCG Treasury Class Cutter
The Treasury-class high endurance cutters were a group of seven ships launched by the United States Coast Guard between 1936 and 1937. The class were called the "Treasury-class" because they were each named for former Secretaries of the Treasury. These ships were also collectively known as the...
s were reassigned for conversion to amphibious force flagships.
Escort Group B-1
Flower class corvetteFlower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Borage, Meadowsweet and Wallflower joined the group; and Venomous was replaced by the long-range V&W escort
V and W class destroyer
The V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
Watchman. Convoys HX 187, ON 96, HX 193, ON 108, SC 92, ON 119, HX 201, ON 124, HX 206, ON 134, SC 105, HX 215, ON 151, SC 114, ON 162, SC 119, ON 171 and HX 230 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 178 lost three ships torpedoed by U-415
German submarine U-415
German submarine U-415 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was commissioned on 5 August 1942 and completed eight war patrols before being sunk by a mine on 14 July 1944....
and U-191
German submarine U-191
German submarine U-191 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II.She was ordered on 4 November 1940 from AG Weser, Bremen laid down on 2 November 1941 and launched on 23 July 1942. She was commissioned under Kptlt...
.
Escort Group B-2
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Campanula, Heather
HMS Heather (K69)
HMS Heather was a of the Royal Navy....
and Mignonette joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyers Leamington
USS Twiggs (DD-127)
The first USS Twiggs was a Wickes-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. She was named for Major Levi Twiggs. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy, as HMS Leamington and to the Soviet Navy as Zhguchiy, before returning to Britain to star in the film The Gift Horse,...
and Veteran
HMS Veteran (D72)
HMS Veteran was a V class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was the third ship to carry the name Veteran. She was launched in 1919 and therefore missed the First World War. She served as a convoy escort in the Second World War before being sunk by the German U-boat U-404 while rescuing survivors...
were replaced by long-range V&W escort
V and W class destroyer
The V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
s Vanessa and Whitehall. Convoys SC 81, ON 97, SC 86, ON 107, HX 198, ON 118, HX 203, ON 128, HX 208, ON 138, HX 213, ON 148, HX 219 and ON 159 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 118 lost eight ships. Convoys ON 170, SC 123 and ONS 4 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group B-3
Low-endurance destroyers GeorgetownUSS Maddox (DD-168)
USS Maddox was a Wickes class destroyer in the United States Navy during the World War I. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Georgetown , to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Georgetown, and then to the Soviet Navy as Doblestny .-History:Named for William A. T...
and Bulldog were replaced by the E and F class destroyer
E and F class destroyer
The E and F class was a class of 18 destroyers of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War. Three ships were later transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, one to the Royal Hellenic Navy and one to the Dominican Navy. Launched in 1934, they served in the Second World War. Nine were lost...
Escapade
HMS Escapade (H17)
HMS Escapade was an E class destroyer of the British Royal Navy in commission from 1934 until 1946, that saw service before and during World War II, seeing service on Russian, Malta and Atlantic convoys.-Construction:...
and the Polish destroyers Burza
ORP Burza
ORP Burza was a of the Polish Navy which saw action in World War II.-History:ORP Burza was ordered on 2 April 1926 from the French shipyard Chantiers Naval Francais together with her sister ship Wicher...
and Garland. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Orchis
HMS Orchis (K76)
HMS Orchis was a that served in the Royal Navy during World War II.-North Atlantic Trade Convoy Escort:In March 1941, Orchis was the first ship fitted with the very successful 10-cm wavelength Type 271 Radar enabling detection of a surfaced submarine at 5000 yards or a submarine periscope at 1300...
replaced Heartsease
HMS Heartsease (K15)
HMS Heartsease was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She served with both the Royal Navy and the United States Navy during the Second World War, with the latter navy as USS Courage...
and the four corvettes with Free French crews (Aconit, Lobelia, Renoncule and Roselys) were assigned to this group. Convoys HX 188, ON 98, HX 194, ON 110, SC 93, ON 121, HX 202, ON 126, HX 207, ON 136, SC 106, ON 146, HX 218, ON 157 and SC 117 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 167 lost two ships. Convoy HX 228 lost four ships torpedoed by U-221, U-757
German submarine U-757
German submarine U-757 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Launched from Werk 140at the Kriegsmarinewerft in Wilhelmshaven Lower Saxony , U-757 served with 6th U-boat Flotilla from February 28, 1942 to January 8, 1944 under the command of...
and U-444. U-444 was rammed by the group leader Harvester. Harvester
HMS Harvester (H19)
HMS Harvester was an H-class destroyer originally ordered by the Brazilian Navy with the name Jurua in the late 1930s, but was bought by the Royal Navy after the beginning of World War II in September 1939. Almost immediately after commissioning, in May 1940, the ship began evacuating Allied troops...
was then torpedoed by U-432. U-432 was then sunk by the Aconit. Thornycroft type leader
Thornycroft type leader
The Thornycroft type leader or Shakespeare class were a class of five destroyer leaders designed by John I. Thornycroft & Company and built by them at Woolston, Southampton for the Royal Navy towards the end of World War I. They were named after historical naval leaders. Only Shakespeare and...
Keppel was assigned as group leader replacement. Convoy ON 174 was escorted without loss. Convoy HX 232 lost three ships torpedoed by U-563 and U-168
German submarine U-168
German submarine U-168 was a Type IXC/40 U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine built for service during World War II.Her keel was laid down on March 15, 1941 by the Deutsche Schiff- und Maschinenbau AG in Bremen...
.
Escort Group B-4
Flower class corvetteFlower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Abelia
HMS Abelia (K184)
HMS Abelia was a that served in the Royal Navy.She was launched on 28 November 1940, and was fitted for minesweeping. She served in World War II; her commanding officer for parts of 1943 and 1944 was Lieutenant Orme G. Stuart....
, Clover and Snowflake joined the group; and the low-endurance destroyer Roxborough
USS Foote (DD-169)
The second USS Foote was a in the United States Navy following World War I. She was transferred to the Royal Navy as and later to the Soviet Navy as Zhyostky.-As USS Foote:...
was replaced by the Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
Beverley
USS Branch (DD-197)
USS Branch was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Beverley to serve during World War II.-As USS Branch:...
. Convoys SC 82, ON 99, SC 87, ON 109, HX 199, ON 120, HX 204 and ON 130 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 209 lost one ship torpedoed by U-254. Convoys ON 140, HX 214, ON 150, HX 220, ON 161 and ON 169 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 229 lost twelve ships. Convoy ON 176 lost one ship and Beverly
USS Branch (DD-197)
USS Branch was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Beverley to serve during World War II.-As USS Branch:...
was torpedoed by U-188. Convoy HX 234 lost one ship torpedoed by U-306.
Escort Group B-6
The Norwegian-manned corvettes Andenes, Eglantine, Rose, Potentilla, and Montbretia from Escort Group A-4, and the new leader E and F class destroyerE and F class destroyer
The E and F class was a class of 18 destroyers of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War. Three ships were later transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, one to the Royal Hellenic Navy and one to the Dominican Navy. Launched in 1934, they served in the Second World War. Nine were lost...
Fame
HMS Fame (H78)
HMS Fame was an F class destroyer of the Royal Navy. She was active during the Second World War, taking part in the Battle of the Atlantic.-Construction:...
were joined by the long-range V&W escort
V and W class destroyer
The V and W class was an amalgam of six similar classes of destroyer built for the Royal Navy under the War Emergency Programme of the First World War and generally treated as one class...
Viscount, the Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
Ramsey
USS Meade (DD-274)
The first USS Meade was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy and transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Ramsey .-As USS Meade:...
, and the Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Kingcup and Vervain
HMS Vervain (K190)
HMS Vervain was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She served during the Second World War.On 28 February 1943 the liberty ship SS Wade Hampton was torpedoed by U-405 while sailing in a convoy from New York to Murmansk, Russia...
. Convoys SC 83, ON 101, SC 88, ON 111 and HX 200 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 122 lost four ships torpedoed by U-605, U-176 and U-438. Convoys HX 205 and ON 132 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 104 lost seven ships. Convoy ON 144 lost 5 ships torpedoed by U-264, U-184 and U-624. Montbretia was torpedoed by U-262. Convoy HX 217 lost two ships torpedoed by U-524 and U-553. Convoys ON 155, SC 116, ON 165, HX 227, ONS 1 and SC 125 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group B-7
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Loosestrife from Escort Group A-5, and the new leader E and F class destroyer
E and F class destroyer
The E and F class was a class of 18 destroyers of the Royal Navy that served during the Second World War. Three ships were later transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, one to the Royal Hellenic Navy and one to the Dominican Navy. Launched in 1934, they served in the Second World War. Nine were lost...
Firedrake
HMS Firedrake (H79)
HMS Firedrake was an F-class destroyer of the Royal Navy built in 1934. She took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was torpedoed in 1942.-Construction:...
were joined by Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
s Chesterfield
USS Welborn C. Wood (DD-195)
USS Welborn C. Wood was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She served with the United States Coast Guard as USCGD Wood. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy as HMS Chesterfield....
and Ripley
USS Shubrick (DD-268)
The third USS Shubrick was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was later transferred to the Royal Navy, where she served as HMS Ripley during World War II.-As USS Shubrick:...
and by Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Alisma, Coreopsis, Jonquil
HMS Jonquil (K68)
HMS Jonquil was a Flower-class corvette of the British Royal Navy. The corvette, named after the flower genus Jonquil, served in the Second World War....
, Pink and Sunflower. Convoys HX 186, ON 94, HX 192, ON 106, SC 91, ON 117, SC 103, ON 142 and HX 216 were escorted without loss. Convoy ON 153 lost three ships torpedoed by U-610, U-356 and U-621. Group leader Firedrake
HMS Firedrake (H79)
HMS Firedrake was an F-class destroyer of the Royal Navy built in 1934. She took part in the Battle of the Atlantic and was torpedoed in 1942.-Construction:...
was torpedoed by U-211. D class destroyer
D class destroyer
Two classes of Royal Navy destroyer have been named "D class".* D-class destroyer * Later orders of the C and D class destroyer from the 1930-31 Programme....
Duncan
HMS Duncan (D99)
HMS Duncan was a D-class destroyer leader built for the Royal Navy in the early 1930s. The ship was initially assigned to the Mediterranean Fleet before she was transferred to the China Station in early 1935 where she remained until mid-1939. Duncan returned to the Mediterranean Fleet just after...
was assigned as group leader replacement; and new River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
Tay
HMS Tay (K232)
HMS Tay was a River class frigate of the Royal Navy. Tay was built to the RN's specifications as a Group I River class frigate.-External links:...
joined the group. Convoys SC 115, ON 164, SC 120 and ON 173 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 231 lost three ships torpedoed by U-635, U-630 and U-706. Convoy ONS 5 lost eleven ships.
Escort Group C-1
Corvette BuctoucheHMCS Buctouche (K179)
HMCS Buctouche was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy.-Construction:She was ordered on 22 January 1940 from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec and laid down on 14 August 1940. She was launched on 20 November 1940 and commissioned into the RCN on 5 June 1941. She is named...
was replaced by Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Battleford
HMCS Battleford (K165)
HMCS Battleford was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario, laid down on 30 September 1940, launched on 15 April 1941, and commissioned on 31 July 1941 named after the town of Battleford, Saskatchewan.-Background:Flower-class corvettes...
, Chilliwack
HMCS Chilliwack (K131)
HMCS Chilliwack was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, British Columbia, laid down on 3 July 1940, launched on 14 September 1940, and commissioned on 8 April 1941 named after the city of Chilliwack, British Columbia.-Background:Flower-class...
, Orillia and Primrose. Convoy HX 189 was escorted without loss. Convoy ON 100 lost three ships torpedoed by U-94 and U-124. Convoys HX 195 and ON 112 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 94 lost ten ships. Group leader Assiniboine and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Dianthus
HMS Dianthus (K95)
HMS Dianthus was a Flower-class corvette of the Royal Navy. She was launched on 9 July 1940 from the Leith Docks on the Firth of Forth and named after the genus of flowering plants including Carnation, Pink, and Sweet William...
, Nasturtium and Primrose were replaced by destroyer St. Laurent and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Eyebright
HMCS Eyebright (K150)
HMCS Eyebright was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 22 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 26 November 1940...
, Napanee
HMCS Napanee (K118)
HMCS Napanee was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Kingston Shipbuilding in Kingston, Ontario, laid down on 20 March 1940, launched on 31 August 1940, and commissioned on 12 May 1941 named after the town of Napanee, Ontario....
, Kenogami
HMCS Kenogami (K125)
HMCS Kenogami was a Royal Canadian Navy which took part in convoy escort duties during World War II.Kenogami was laid down by Port Arthur Shipbuilding Co., Port Arthur on 20 April 1940 and was launched on 5 September 1940...
and Shediac
HMCS Shediac (K110)
HMCS Shediac was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Davie Shipbuilding & Repairing Co. Ltd., Lauzon, Quebec, laid down on 5 October 1940, launched on 29 April 1941, and commissioned on 8 July 1941 named after the town of Shediac, New Brunswick.-Background:Flower-class corvettes...
. Convoys ON 123, SC 99, ON 133, HX 211, ON 143 and SC 110 were escorted without loss. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Orillia, Chambly
HMCS Chambly (K116)
HMCS Chambly was a serving in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal, laid down on 20 February 1940, launched on 29 July, and commissioned on 18 December 1940, named after the city of Chambly, Quebec...
and Eyebright
HMCS Eyebright (K150)
HMCS Eyebright was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 22 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 26 November 1940...
rotated out of the group. Convoy ON 154 lost thirteen ships. Convoy HX 222 lost one ship torpedoed by U-268. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Chilliwack
HMCS Chilliwack (K131)
HMCS Chilliwack was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock in North Vancouver, British Columbia, laid down on 3 July 1940, launched on 14 September 1940, and commissioned on 8 April 1941 named after the city of Chilliwack, British Columbia.-Background:Flower-class...
was replaced by new River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
Itchen. Convoys ONS 2 and SC 127 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group C-2
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Dauphin
HMCS Dauphin (K157)
HMCS Dauphin was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 6 July 1940. She was launched on 24 October 1940 and commissioned on 17 May 1941. She was named after the city of Dauphin, Manitoba.Dauphin escorted merchant ships...
joined the group. Convoy ON 113 lost three ships torpedoed by U-552, U-607
German submarine U-607
German submarine U-607 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during the Second World War. She was commissioned in January 1942 and was sunk in July 1943, having sunk four ships and damaged two others. Her commanders were Ernst Mengersen and Wolf...
and U-132
German submarine U-132 (1941)
German submarine U-132 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. She was laid down on 10 August 1940 by Bremer Vulkan, Bremen-Vegesack, launched on 10 April 1941 and commissioned on 29 May that year. In four patrols, U-132 sank eight ships for a total...
while Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
St. Croix
USS McCook (DD-252)
The first USS McCook was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She transferred to the Royal Navy and then to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS St. Croix during World War II.- As USS McCook :...
sank U-90. Convoys HX 201 and ON 119 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 97 lost two ships torpedoed by U-609 while Morden sank U-756
German submarine U-756
German submarine U-756 was a Type VIIC U-boat built for the German Kriegsmarine for service during World War II. Launched from Werk 139 at the Kriegsmarinewerft in Wilhelmshaven Lower Saxony , she served with 6th U-boat flotilla from December 30th, 1941 to September 1st, 1942 under the command of...
. Convoys ON 129 and SC 102 were escorted without loss. Destroyer Sherwood replaced destroyer Burnham; and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Pictou
HMCS Pictou (K146)
HMCS Pictou was a Royal Canadian Navy which took part in convoy escort duties during World War II.Pictou was laid down at George T. Davie & Sons Ltd., Lauzon on 12 July 1940 and launched on 5 October 1940. She was commissioned into the RCN on 29 April 1941.Pictou was decommissioned from the RCN...
and Primrose replaced Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Dauphin
HMCS Dauphin (K157)
HMCS Dauphin was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 6 July 1940. She was launched on 24 October 1940 and commissioned on 17 May 1941. She was named after the city of Dauphin, Manitoba.Dauphin escorted merchant ships...
and Brandon. Convoy ON 139 lost two ships torpedoed by U-443. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Orillia joined the group. Convoys SC 108, ON 149 and SC 113 were escorted without loss. New River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
s Lagan and Waveney joined the group. Convoys ON 160, HX 225 and ON 179 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group C-3
Convoys ON 93, HX 191, ON 104 and SC 90 were escorted without loss. Flower class corvetteFlower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Camrose
HMCS Camrose (K154)
HMCS Camrose was a Royal Canadian Navy which took part in convoy escort duties during World War II.Camrose was laid down at Marine Industries Ltd., Sorel on 17 September 1940, launched on 16 November 1940 and commissioned 30 June 1941...
was replaced by corvette Agassiz
HMCS Agassiz (K129)
HMCS Agassiz was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia and laid down on 29 April 1940. She was launched on 15 August 1940 and commissioned on 23 January 1941...
. Convoy ON 115 lost two ships torpedoed by U-552 and U-553 while Skeena
HMCS Skeena (D59)
HMCS Skeena was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and wore initially the pennant D59, changed in 1940 to I59....
and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Wetaskiwin
HMCS Wetaskiwin (K175)
HMCS Wetaskiwin was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver and laid down on 11 April 1940. She was launched on 18 July 1940 and commissioned on 17 December 1940...
sank U-588. Convoys HX 202, ON 121, SC 98, ON 131, HX 210 and ON 141 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 109 lost one ship torpedoed by U-43 and Saguenay
HMCS Saguenay (D79)
HMCS Saguenay was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and initially wore the pennant D79, changed in 1940 to I79....
was irreparably damaged when depth charges blew off its stern following a collision. Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
Burnham replaced Saguenay
HMCS Saguenay (D79)
HMCS Saguenay was a River-class destroyer that served in the Royal Canadian Navy from 1931-1945.She was similar to the Royal Navy's A-class and initially wore the pennant D79, changed in 1940 to I79....
. Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Wetaskiwin
HMCS Wetaskiwin (K175)
HMCS Wetaskiwin was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver and laid down on 11 April 1940. She was launched on 18 July 1940 and commissioned on 17 December 1940...
, Sackville
HMCS Sackville (K181)
HMCS Sackville was a Flower-class corvette that served in the Royal Canadian Navy and later served as a civilian research vessel. She is now a museum ship located in Halifax, Nova Scotia and the last surviving Flower-class corvette.-Wartime service:...
, Galt
HMCS Galt (K163)
The HMCS Galt was a of the Royal Canadian Navy, named after the city of Galt, Ontario. She was ordered from Collingwood Shipyards in Collingwood, Ontario and laid down on 27 May 1940; she was launched on 28 December 1940 and commissioned on 15 May 1941....
and Agassiz
HMCS Agassiz (K129)
HMCS Agassiz was a of the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered from Burrard Dry Dock Co. Ltd. in North Vancouver, British Columbia and laid down on 29 April 1940. She was launched on 15 August 1940 and commissioned on 23 January 1941...
were replaced by corvettes Bittersweet
HMCS Bittersweet (K182)
HMCS Bittersweet was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Marine Industries Ltd. in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec, and laid down on 17 April 1940. She was launched on 12 September 1940 and transferred to the RCN on 23 January 1941...
, Eyebright
HMCS Eyebright (K150)
HMCS Eyebright was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 22 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 26 November 1940...
, La Malbaie and Mayflower
HMCS Mayflower (K191)
HMCS Mayflower was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 3 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 15 May 1941...
. New River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
Jed joined the group. Convoys ON 152, HX 221, ON 163, HX 226, ON 172, SC 124 and ON 180 were escorted without loss.
Escort Group C-4
Convoys ON 95, SC 85, ON 105, HX 197, ON 116 and SC 96 were escorted without loss. Destroyer St. FrancisUSS Bancroft (DD-256)
The second USS Bancroft was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy, and transferred to the Royal Canadian Navy, where she served as HMCS St. Francis during World War II.-As USS Bancroft:...
was replaced by Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
St. Croix
USS McCook (DD-252)
The first USS McCook was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She transferred to the Royal Navy and then to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS St. Croix during World War II.- As USS McCook :...
and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Lethbridge, Prescott and Eyebright
HMCS Eyebright (K150)
HMCS Eyebright was a that served in the Royal Canadian Navy. She was ordered for the Royal Navy from Canadian Vickers Ltd. in Montreal and laid down on 20 February 1940. She was launched on 22 July 1940, transferred to the RCN, and commissioned on 26 November 1940...
were replaced by corvettes Amherst, Celandine and Sherbrooke. Convoy ON 127 lost six ships; and Ottawa was torpedoed by U-91
German submarine U-91 (1941)
German submarine U-91 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the German Kriegsmarine that saw service during World War II. The U-boat completed six wartime patrols and sank one warship totalling , and damaged four for a total of ....
. Convoys SC 101 and ON 137 were escorted without loss. Convoy SC 107 lost fifteen ships. Destroyer St. Croix
USS McCook (DD-252)
The first USS McCook was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She transferred to the Royal Navy and then to the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS St. Croix during World War II.- As USS McCook :...
was replaced by Town class destroyer
Town class destroyer
The Town class destroyers were warships transferred from the United States Navy to the Royal Navy and the Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for military bases in the Bahamas and elsewhere, as outlined in the Destroyers for Bases Agreement between Britain and United States, signed on 2 September 1940...
Churchill
USS Herndon (DD-198)
USS Herndon was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. Herndon served in the United States Coast Guard as CG-17...
and Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
Arvida was replaced by corvettes Brandon and Collingwood. Convoys ON 147, SC 112 and ON 158 were escorted without loss. Convoy HX 224 lost two ships torpedoed by U-456. Convoys ON 177 and HX 235 were escorted without loss.
Spring of 1943
G and H class destroyer
The G- and H-class destroyers were a class of twenty-four destroyers of the Royal Navy launched in 1935–1939. They served in World War II and sixteen were lost, with a seventeenth being written off as a constructive total loss...
Havelock
HMS Havelock (H88)
HMS Havelock was an Havant class destroyer of the Royal Navy.- History :She was originally laid down as Jutahy for the Brazilian Navy by White at Cowes. Jutahy was launched on 7 July 1936, and completed on 18 January 1937. Jutahy was one of six Brazilian destroyers purchased in September 1939,...
, Flower class corvette
Flower class corvette
The Flower-class corvette was a class of 267 corvettes used during World War II, specifically with the Allied navies as anti-submarine convoy escorts during the Battle of the Atlantic...
s Pimpernel, Godetia, Saxifrage, Buttercup and Lavender and with new River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
Swale
HMS Swale (K217)
HMS Swale was a River class frigate of the Royal Navy from 1942–1955, loaned to the South African Navy for six months at the end of the Second world War.-Construction:Swale was built to the RN's specifications as a Group I River class frigate...
replacing the old destroyers. Convoy ON 168 was escorted without loss. Convoy SC 122 lost 8 ships. Convoy SC 126 was escorted without loss.
River class frigate
River class frigate
The River class frigate was a class of 151 frigates launched between 1941 and 1944 for use as anti-submarine convoy escorts in the North Atlantic....
s brought two significant advantages to MOEF. Their numbers allowed the older escorts time to refit with modern sensors like 10-centimeter radar
Radar
Radar is an object-detection system which uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish or antenna transmits pulses of radio...
and modern anti-submarine weapons like the Hedgehog
Hedgehog (weapon)
The Hedgehog was an anti-submarine weapon developed by the Royal Navy during World War II, that was deployed on convoy escort warships such as destroyers to supplement the depth charge. The weapon worked by firing a number of small spigot mortar bombs from spiked fittings...
projector. Destroyers replaced by new frigates were formed into mobile support groups able to move rapidly to convoys coming under attack. Through 1943, new escort carriers became available to increase the surveillance capability of support groups. As the winter weather cleared, new long-range B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
patrol bombers extended surveillance into the mid-Atlantic.