Source: Report on QP15 HMS Hazard, ADM 199/712
From: The Commanding Officer HMS Hazard
Date: 5th December 1942
To: The Commanding Officer HMS Halcyon (SO
Escort)
Sir,
I have the honour to submit the following report of the passage in
company with convoy QP15.
On Tuesday 17th November 1942 the ship being at Nodyuga
anchorage anchor was weighed at 1440 and in accordance with
previous orders the ship proceeded to join up with the convoy as
close escort, this was accomplished at 1800 on the same day.
During the three following days the convoy maintained a northerly
course and no incident of note took place during this time. On
Friday 20th with the weather fast deteriorating and
heavy snow squalls which reduced visibility to one cable, the
convoy altered course at 1600 to 270. The ship was unable to stand
this course owing to excessive rolling and the best that could be
maintained was 290. At 2000 the wind which was force 8 backed to
the NE, course was then altered to 260 to rejoin the convoy. As
the wind and sea increased it was found necessary to increase
speed to 11 knots, this speed placed us well ahead of the convoy.
At 0600 on the Saturday with the heavy sea that was running the
best that could be done for the ship was to run before the gale.
At 1800 that day the wind had increased to force 10. The
Quarterdeck was continuously covered with heavy seas breaking on
board. This caused the deck to open up and water leaked below into
the after compartments. At 2000 speed was increased to 13 knots,
this seemed to ease the ship a little. By 2400 the wind had
increased to hurricane force, and the ship was hove to until noon
on the Sunday when, with the weather moderating, course 270 was
set, it was hoped to rendezvous with the convoy the following day
at position FF. At 2400 in consequence of an Admiralty signal
which was our firt knowledge that the convoy had been diverted,
course was altered to 180 with the intention of by 0900 the 23rd
reaching the farthest on position to the westward that the convoy
could have reached. At 0850 ships were sighted very close in the
darkness. These were challenged and proved to be HM Ships
Britomart, Bergamot and Bryony in company with the Commodore in
Temple Arch and the Empire Morn and Charles McCormack. Acting on
orders from HMS Britomart station was taken up and maintained
astern of the convoy. At this time the ship was covered with ice,
and two depth charges which had been previously prepared for a
counter attack were considered dangerous in the racks in that
particular state so they were released, and though set at safe
exploded at great depth. On Wednesday the 25th at 1345
the Vice Commodore of the convoy in Dan-y-Bryn joined us with HM
Ships Intrepid and Ledbury who left us the next morning. The
rescue ship Copeland joining us shortly afterwards. On Friday 26th,
on arriving off Iceland our section was turned over to HMS
Intrepid and other destroyers for onward movement to destination.
We then proceeded to Seidisfiord to fuel arriving at 1245.
Sweeping was carried out off Seidisfiord during Saturday and
Sunday in a suspected area without contact with mines being made.
Departure was made from Seidisfiord at 1000 on Monday, 30th
November with merchant ships and accompanying escort of
destroyers. These were left off the Butt of Lewis at 2300 on the 2nd
December when, in company with HMS Britomart and the tanker San
Ambrosio, course being shaped for Scapa and arrival made at 0900
on 3rd December 1942.
During the whole of the passage A/S watch was maintained and RDF
watch during hours of darkness and low visibility, but no enemy
was sighted or any contact made.
