From: The Commanding Officer HMS Jason
To: Captain D., Rosyth
Date: 11.2.41 No. RC33
Subject: Convoys EN69 and WN82
The following report on convoys EN69 and WN82 is submitted:
Jason left Methil at 0130, 9th Feb as AA escort to
convoy EN69, which reached Noss Head without event at 1030/10, and
Jason transferred to WN82.
2.
During the afternoon one ship dropped astern with engine trouble,
and Rumba remained to escort her.
3.
On receiving signal timed 2136/10, reporting parachutes off
Aberdeen bearing 120 degrees 7000 yards, proceeded ahead to find
the mark boats. These were sighted, but at about 5 miles 125
degrees from Girdleness, but the convoy was extremely prompt on
acting on instructions to turn to port, which was carried out in
two operations. Shortly afterwards the Rumba rejoined with her
ship.
4.
The convoy arrived off May Island at 0415 in extremely bright
moonlight, though there was considerable haze over the land which
rendered May Island Light difficult to see.
5.
At 0500/11 Jason, then astern of the rear ship, became aware that
the convoy was much too far to the south, and accordingly
proceeded at full speed to investigate the reason.
6.
After ordering single line ahead the Commodore, with two ships,
must have gone ahead, as the remaining ships, already south of the
track, continued straight on on course 250 degrees.
7.
The convoy was then still in two columns in reasonable formation.
8.
At approximately 0532/11 a ship in the port column, about 1 ½
miles ahead of Jason, suddenly altered course 90 degrees to
starboard and crossed the starboard column steering directly for
the red flashing buoy at the channel junction. The next ship
astern, relatively, in the starboard column, appeared to take
little action, and rammed. The ships later were found to be the
Flimston and Kelso respectively.
9.
The convoy then became completely disorganised, and several ships
turned 180 degrees, but Jason hurriedly hailed as many ships as
possible and sorted the party out by ordering some to stop or to
proceed slowly. Jason then proceeded to Flimston, who was observed
to be making westward speed.
10. Having approached and ascertained the situation, Jason
communicated with May Island, but, in the haze, this was lost
after the first part of the message had been transmitted.
11. Jason then led the damaged ship into Largo Bay, ordering her
to go slow and stop as necessary till she was brought to anchor
with 2 feet of water under her on a falling tide. Jason then
secured alongside and rigged a suction hose, which was, however,
of little value as Flimston’s No 5 lower hold was flooded and it
was obvious that little could be done without assistance of divers
and a large salvage pump.
12. Jason, as soon as a tug appeared, cast off and anchored in the
dense fog, proceeding to Rosyth later.
Lt
Commander RN
