GASCOYNE HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC.P.O.Box 1057

Carnarvon. WA. 6701

SUBMISSION No 75C

Chair Person Keith Hasleby Tel. 08 99411007 NH 08 99411079Secrewy Cecily. Mitler TellFax. 0899414309

Mobile 0419926344email camckail@bigpond.com

May 16, 1998

ATT. Kate Bancock

The S retaryJo e Towner's Office

e Defence Sub-Committee

Inquiry into HMAS SydneyParliament HouseCanberra ACT 2600

Dear Kate,

On the 20th April correspondence was sent to Joanne Towner from Les Mortimer,Melbourne. The enclosed is in more detail from Les and more accurate than my firstsubmission as it was oral history from him.

1. Letter from Les Mortimer to Mrs. Miller (myself).

2. Pamphlet on the HECLA.

3. Certificate of Service ofLes Mortimer.

4. Account Of The Sinking OfThe H.M.S. Hecla 11.11.1942.

5. Literature from War Diary Archives.

Copies have been taken of the above for our records.

Yours sincerely

~.et.1~Cecily A. Miller.

3428 3427

PINQ.SUBS.014.0092

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34 2~J

PINQ.SUBS.014.0093

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Fox

Fawn

HM SHIPS

Herald Bulldog

Roebuck Beagle

SML Gleaner

A great deal of painstaking care ge<:s into the makingof a chart. It starts with the establishment of thenavigational control, continues through the acquisitionof data and the drawing of the fair sheet onboard theship, and finishes with the process of compilation andprinting at the Hydrographic Department, Taunton.

provided by the series of charts which the Depanmenthas been compiling since J795. The quest for high·quality data has been pursued vigorously since the daysof the great surveys of Cook through those of Blighand Vancouver. Owen of the great survey of Africa.Kellett and Denham in the Pacific, up to present daysurveys in the Indian Ocean. West lndies. Atlantic andUK continental shelf waters.

The area to be charted is first thoroughly sounded andswept by sonar (underwater detection equipment) toensure that no obstructions such as wrecks or rockpinnacles remain undetected. The soundings are then

~~

The task of the Royal Naval Surveying Service is toprovide the Hydrographic Department with the latestavailable navigational information for subsequentdissemination to mariners. The HydrographicDepartment is responsible for the production ofcharts. tide tables, lists of lights, pilots and otherpublications. It issues WeeklY Notices to Marinerscontaining updated information to correct existingcharts and publications. and arranges broadcasts ofurgent navigational warnings to ships.

The data for some of the charts and publications isobtained by the HM Ships under the operationalcontrol of the Captain, Hydrographic SurveyingFlotilla based at Plymouth. The Ocean and CoastalSurvey Ships collect hydrographic. oceanographic andgeophysical data from .around the world. TheAdmiralty Chan, used by the weekend yachtsman andsupertanker captain alike. is respected throughout theworld for its accuracy, reliability and attention todetail. World-wide coverage of navigable waters is

HOW AN OCEAN SURVEY SHIP OPERATES1. Radio station. one of two erected by ship or precise position-fIXing when out ofsight of land. 2. Polerecords height of tide for correction ofsoundings. 3. Sounding boat, one Of two carried for inshore work.4. Sonar equipment detects underwater obstructions. 5. Echo sounder gives a conllnuous record of depth.6. Sampler reveals nature ofsea bed. 7. Proton magnetometer measures strength of earth's total magneticfield. 8. Side scan sonar provides sonar coverage between lines of sounding.

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PINQ.SUBS.014.0094

HMS Hecla

OCEAN SURVEY SHIPSThe Ocean Survey Ships Hecla, Hecate and Herald are filled with a data logging computer, satellite navigationsystem, wet and dry laboratories, oceanographic winches for deep seawater analysis and seabed coring, asurvey chartroom, two 9·metre survey motor boats and carry a Wasp helicopter. They are 79 metres long,have a beam of 15 metres and displace 2920 tonnes. The 13 officers and 104 ratings live in well found air­conditioned quarters. Chief and Pelly Officers have single and double cabins with a separate lounge and diningroom. Junior ratings have a dining/recreation hall and separate sleeping accommodation. There is also amodem galley, sick bay, laundry and library.

The geophysical and oceanographic roles involve the measurement of variations in gravity and the earth'smagnetic field, and the temperature and salinity of seawater; seismic observations reveal the structure of theearth's crust; core samples and underwater cameras reveallhe nature of the scabed and lhe immediate substrata.Most of this information, together with meteorological observations, is made available to the world's scientificbodies.

DIle of actually

All Engagements, including Non-C.S.,to bc noted in these Columns.

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'1.1 ~ I () • 4-lf- Form S. 1243 is to be used. I q" BO HE:l'LA

8.-459 (Rcvised-Au:;:ust, (939). ~" . 1",~7CERTIFICATE of the rvice of '.Department's world coverage of chans up 10 date is

never ending. Shifting sandbanks, sandwaves andchannels have always presented lhe surveyor with anexacting challenge. But the dramatic increase in thesize and draught of merchant vessels in recent yearshas meant that rocks, shoals and wrecks that hilhertowere of academic interest only are potential hazardstoday. Previous surveys in remOle parts of the worldwere adequate when shipping was passing well offshore, but as new harbours are developed to exploitnatural resources then new and more detailed surveysare required to meet the demand.

Offshore energy development is also changing the roleof the Hydrographic Service. Special surveys havebeen conducted for tow-out routes for productionplatforms, and the requirement for specific deep-waterroutes for VLCC's carrying cargoes of oil from newfields and terminals continues to increase.

reduced to a datum below which the tide is unlikelyto fall. Thereby, mariners can be confident that thecharted depth is representative of the minimum depthin the area. The corrected soundings are then drawnby hand onto the fair sheet. Recent developments incomputer technology should allow fair sheets to becompiled automatically in the very near future. Thecoastline is also surveyed and observations of the tide,tidal stream and magnetic variations are made insupport of the bathymetry.

To perform his task the surveyor has an impressivearmoury ranging from electronic distance measuringdevices, echo sounders and sophisticated sonars to thesimple sketch book and pencil. Small survey partiesfrequently spend several months detached from theship surveying the shoal inshore waters in boats.

The task of keeping the information on the

343:~

PINQ.SUBS.014.0095

Conduct.

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PINQ.SUBS.014.0096

3.

Service.

ACCOUNT OF TilE SINKING OF (1.1\'1.S. HECLA11-11-1942

~CONFIDENTIAL !!

LES MORTIMER.

Eleven minutes past eleven 1942, first watch eight until twelve p.m. Close up on the starboardwatch in transmitting station aboard the HMS Hecla. After two hours of look out on the bridge there wasonly one sighting, an Amelican submm;ne depot ship off the Azores at approximately 8.30 p.m. We werezig zagging with another depot ship, HMS Vindictive, and two escort destroyers: HMS Marine ( a brandnew destroyer) and HMS Venennous ( n WWI V&W class destroyer, notolious for its inability as a seagoing ship). Conditions were appalling with hardline money being paid in peace time until a conselvativeM.P. Lady Astor stopped the payment after travelling from the TI13mes to Portsmouth one sunny calm daypre-war. TIle night was intennittent cloud. Starlit with a mnning swell force 3N Mod. SWE, swell, Si.\:rntings in the darkness of the T/S lay awaiting the middle watch 12 p.m. until 4 a.m. There came analmighty explosion. Hecla shuddered and listed, A 21" Port sub torpedo hit amidships ( in the NavalRepolts. 2 to'lledoes. At 11 p.1ll. hit amidships. As a witness only one tOllledo hit the Hecla few minutesafter IIp.Ill.) putting the generators out of action, as the power went off the ship \~as in total darkness.Action stntions. ( 2 ZLB POI1l poms anti air craft, 6 4.5 guns, IM mobile for lack of power) we wererelieved of our station by regular trained RN Gunners. Being 3 watches only one watch manned guns anddamage control etc. We werc ordered oO'the bridge of the ship and left without any leadership. After whatseemed an etelllity. The Hecla came on an even "eel with no power. She was immobile and drilling. Mylife belt would not hold oxygen, so I wcnt dowll below to mess deck 32 to try to find some authority thatcould insurc 111l0ther life belt. There was no organization bclow and was told to go and look around. Pal1of the two watches werc hanging around not knowing what to do. There was no leadcrship. 839 crew.approximately 2/3 awaiting for what? I roamed the lower deck finding another air life bclt. In looking fOImy life belt I came across 2 ratings of my mess 32. 11lCy were 2 regulars that could not read wdte or swimTIley had been in the navy since the age of 12 they were cowed (nevcr seen again). In the stokers mcssthcre again nothing but the othcr watches hanging around.

\ '0

Approximately 12·15 p.m. there was another explosion and Iretumed to the uppcr deck. A sccondtoqledo 21" hit under the Starboard bow. TIlcre was still no power with the ship dimly lit. I walked aroundchecking on mess·deck mates. Several H.O·s (the Hostility Only ratings took the place of the RN ratingsmissing off the Pom·poms) were operating thc pom-poms manually. Everything was at a stand still Iworked my way back to the bow of the ship and befi;ended a regular NR AB seaman throwing a rope ovelthe bow. He stated, "ne next torpedo and over I go". He didn't have long to wait. A third torpcdo hit al\(lmost of the crew abandoned ship as it was piped by mouth to mouth. TIle Able seaman e:>qllained hc wouldgo over first and my mate was to follow. I lowered myselfillto the water to find my God-send waiting.TIlen we both waited for my friend on entering the water he panicked screaming he could not swim andwould not release the rope. The AB told me to leave him after swimming back t\vice I bad to leave theship. There was a gapping hole in the side of the Hecla's bow. It took the AB and myself an eternity tomake headway. The ship was at an acute angle filling \vith water and we were being dragged into the ship.TIlen a fOlth torpedo hit and at that moment it eXllloded and we were washed clear of the Heela.Following the AB we swam towards HMS Mame that was foolishly moving bow first to the Heela in tbestarlight condition. l1lere were ratings climbing tbe nets on the stern when a Torpedo 21" blew the stemoff. We were 30 fi away (approx.). There was a blinding explosion and we were both stunned in the waterand drifted \vith the swell.

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PINQ.SUBS.014.0097

After retuming 10 my senses Ihe AB said "We were 10 leave Mame aJ~d ,,":C swa~ jnl~ the rollingswell away. We Ihoughl thc Mamc had had il. TIlcn Ihere came a /i~h explosIOn III the ~Irectlon oflhe .Hecla. TIle watcr was alivc wilh men \\1Ih old debris and smashed hfe boals. We swam lIl.to the swell ~galll

coming fi'olll a northem direclion we came across whallooked like a ~ub'. Slopp.ing we hstened to vOicescalling for Ihe name of Ihe ship in an Amecican accent. I suggested gomg a.long sIde bu~ the. Abl~ seamansaid we wcre 10 gel away as il would be dangerous. We tul11ed and swam '!l the opposite dIrection. Wewere confi'ollted with whal lumed oul 10 be HMS Venennous depth charglllg Ihe area. (TIle sub was.attacking - surf.lced). Venermous was deplh charging in. amongst survivors. Several.floats ~l'Owded ~th

slllvivors came by but it was impossible 10 get a hold (orl was everywhere). We camed on mto the mghl.How long we swam could not be recorded but Ihe Venennous came.into v~ew, Slopping. 10 pick up a floalfull of men. She misjudged, hitling the float and spilling the men to ellher SIdes oflhe slup. W~ swam to thenets ofthe Venenllous on the stem and hung on being extremely exhausted. TIlere came a vOIce form thcbJidge shouting "Let go AFT I have a ping". Venennous took offdragging us in the net. How long I wasin the net I don't know. After screaming out I was unlangled, dragged on board and thrown on Ihe deck.Afterwards thrown into the hammock rack in the seamen's mess deck to recuperate. When I came 10 Ifound myself lying along side the seaman fi'iend that had refilsed to let go of the rope on the Hecla. He wasraving mad. No one courd do anything for him. We were told to leave him he would recuperate. At firstlight I was hclping to clean up the mess on the qualter·deck near the nets when they pu~led a body out ofthc nets. It was the able seaman I had spent the night with. TIle Venennous had somelhlllg to answer for.

Aller picking up more lIIen Vencrlllous became shOlt offuel and went along side ofH.M.S. Ma.mewith hcr stem blown 00' and milked for filel. She then lell the Mame and proceeded to Casablanca hoplIIgCasablanca had bccn taken fi'olll the Vichy French during 'Opcration Torch' North Afiica. The reason forgoing to Casablanca was that Venermous hadn't enough filel to get to Gibraltar. ~enelmous at 12 knotsand a rising swell was uncomfOltahle. She was tlying to go under the .s~ell ~he slup shuddered and .slanchions cracked m,e B. gnn firing. How men could takc such condItIons IS har? to und~rst~nd. Watelwashed over thc bows and tore AFT's and into the scaman's mcss deck. Evelythm? was nngmg.wet. H~rfull spced 17 knots would have heen a nightmare. Wc approachcd Casablanca cautIOusly and a SIgnal WIthauthorities told us the American's had landed and were mopping up. We approached slowly to find thrceUSS ships, the nag ship ofthc AIIICriC,lIl Med. flect USS Augusta and aircraft canier USS Guadalc~n~land a destroyer with a gapping hole in the bows. Tying up along sidc to refucl the Vencr~l1ous was mVltedto dinc and evelyonc kitted up with clothing. Lunch. dinncr and brcakfast. TIlen olTto GIbraltar wherc .wewere piped into the harboll1' and put aboard the battle ship King George V, dUling the whole ofthe actIOn Icannot remember secing one officer. Not anyone above a petty officer.

11le following day we were transferred to a Strath-edenliner and put below with onc: officer olTthcHecla Below deck Condilions degrading with no sleeping f.lcilities. We sailed for Engl~nd III a convoy.T~ destroyers and I aircraft carricr. First night out she exploded with loss of all. the ships company(approximalely 1200 dead). In the action 'operation torch' North ~ca. Approxlmately.17 Ro~al Navyships (Daily Express) put out of action. SUlvivors landed at GreenwIch Scotland and rekltted WIth u~w

gear, uniforms (basic), fed and trauspOlted back to ~ol1smoutl~ RN barracks. We were screened, paid .money according to rank and given 28 days leave With no medical check to any lower deck personncl. ~1.lt

night I blacked out finding myself in the wrong section of the barracks. I sl:pt on ~ fo:m bench. I couldn trecall how I got there. I was walking around dazed. I found myself on a tram to .BlI1nmgham but ~o~knowing how I got Oil the train. I amved home to my mother. She had been notified that I was nussmg,believed killed in actioll.

The U-boat that sank the Hecla and damaged Mame was U-5 15 (Captain Lieutenant Henke) .despite being engaged by B-gun HMS Venermous ~nd depth charged U-515 esca~ed unscratched. Anti- .submaline forces fj.wlly caught up with her on Apnl 9.19.43 to the north of MadeU'a Islands where she wassunk by 4 USS destroyers and 3 aircraft fi'om USS Guadalcallal. 44 ofher ship company out of 60.including her C.O. were taken prisoner. Retumed to HMS viclory barracks after 4 weeks leave WIth my

23438

@Royal Oak mend Pant. Pam was a survivor of the sinking of the Royal Oak at the Orkney Islands "ScapaFlow" where nearly 900 mcn and boys wcre killed in the sinking October 1939. TIle 'Oak' was out ofcommission owing to sea trials. Her gun's shook her to pieccs. On entering the main gate Pam called backto me. He decided he had had enough. He had decided to jump the wall. His nerves had gone and he wasgoing to mends in the north end of Portsmouth. Shaking hands I walked into the barracks never to see himagain. I was put in a mess deck, allotted a hammock and slept and ate in a b~lf~J,90 years old. After Iweek I was transferred to Whale Island gunnery school for a course. An antl-~unner 3rd class. One wee"­in balTacks and no medical. TIle ban'acks were full ofwar neurotics. No one'wanted to know.

AI1'ived Whale Island. Kit bag, a hammock and case on reponing to police officer. Allotted a Hutmess and class and made and was ordered to double at all times 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. No rating was exempt ifhecanied a kitbag he doubled. TIlings were bleak. Winter in Whale Island was going to be bad. In the class of35 we were allotted a chiefpeuy officer as a teacher that should have been in hospital. He had beenwounded while serving on the battle ship HMS Prince ofWhales, where she engaged the German battleship Bismarck. He had been trapped in a section ofthe ship sealed offto stop the ship sinking. In the samcaction with the Bismarck HMS Hood battle ship 1400 men crew was hit with one salvo exploded and 3men swam away /i'om her. One Mid·shipman (officer) 2 rating lower deck. The midshipman was named inthe casualty list mentioned in dispatches. TIle lower deck men were not named or mentioned. TIlemidshipman was killed in a SPOltS car going on leave (survivors) At Whale Island. I continued my gunnclycourse; an incident with the chiefpctty officer. TIle class of35 were doubling (running from class toparade ground was accuscd ofwhat thcy called "shulTerling" (half a run) 1being ilearest to the chiefpcllYofficer was kicked in the backside. I jumped out of ranks and kickcd him back in the backside. He thenthreatened to report me to thc Commanding Officer. A second rating witnessed it . I had a witness againslhim and he dropped the charge. TIle following day the witness was transferred to Combined operation 3months minor landing craft 25 ft in lcngth. TIlcn to major 110 II landing craft with Mount Battens deathsquad. I did my first 3 months at Qucensclilf, D,utlllouth for the Royal Navy's Officers College. I did 13landings in the Amelican sector and one in Arelllanches (British sector).

On being dcmobbed I had a vcrhnl cxalllinntion. I rcported that I had lost my right hand top jointlittle finger. I was told I could receivc £.14 but I had to stop in the navy 3 months. I refused and wasdemobbed. I was ashamed of my condition and did not repolt thc f.lct I was what was termed "bombhappy". I have bcen looked aller since by my wife not claiming until 1992.

\.4. ~Lb NO, RI:C'-IL:f. 'T>i£ ~Fn..~A,j ~Ile ~o .N C'Pi'F./ZA71C'.-.; 7r:l2cH ..

Qo;0f1.J!:.Hjl..L- ':i.wI'~ iT \\lE$;" 01' C,lI3P..ALiA .

34393

PINQ.SUBS.014.0098

I1

..

/Convoy.••

12.11.1942.Thursday.

SrTti.A~IO!T R:::?O?T.

The follo~ing shins are discharging atl':olotovsl:: Si.:PIP.E- GALLIARD, HUGH i'IILLIAI.:SOH,RICP.ARD AL-"'T.Y, J0mr '\/ALK'SR is still ashorein the Dvina Bar, but it is honed to refloather p.m./today. There is no news of EldPlREGILBERT.

V.A.Dover asks that two areas in the DoverStraits may be declared dangerous owing tothe presence of enemy mines moored on thesurface.A~V'NiiJ/lE. .!pI I ,P reported this operat:l.on completedat 0730. ~ ?/+ 7~'

Home Commands.

Oneration"Torch."

lLAP..NE, who with VENOL10US was ste,nding byRECLA (Tor'Oedoed last night) was herselftornedoed about 0105Z today in approx. 35°50'-N, !t" 57' v:. mCLA sank this morning.

, . ~~40;iJS

STARVIORT (Corvette).. sank German submarineU.660 today in 36° 7' N, 1 0 0' W. Fort~r­five survivors were picked up.C S 10 renorts that he considers Destroyer

x CLARE sank a U-Boat today in 37° 41' N,0° 10' ~, whilst escorting Force O.

• 'l(~. "~4::"y. ,,{),. •.......·/v..-.~ l; u-,.. 71~ :." r.:::....... ~ ... t-....J." t .,.~ .

Vichy bToadcast at 1230 today states thatthe German authorities have dec~ded thatthe entrenched camp at Toulon \\':1.11 not beoccupied and that Vichy \'fsrships will besafeguarded. A later press report sa~

that the Germans are occupying Toulon tosafeguard the Vichy Fleet, but this reportis considered not correct. 8IMs P.5l,P.222 and P.228 are patrolling ofr Toulon.

,;:~'.:';:;~~.;~.J}';: ' ," .::,;·~'·.<·~'.;'armistice has been sign6d in North, "':" Africa but German air and ground un!ts are

seeping into'r\niiS1lii.. Our forward troops.reached Bone today.~ A coIl'ltllB.ndo embarked ~ntwo destroyers shOU? reach Bone a.m./tomorrow.

3441

O'Oeration'rf~B" .

O'Oeration"SNI7A. "

/ .

{niary.

,,

./

, I

.-.j

I.j

3440

,,;

~ration "Torch" - Contd.

P.R.U. 1515/11 Day~r completed covered no changemajor units no interception or A.A. fire.(R••t,.i·~.A. 2247Z/ll to Admty. N.C.X.? Corn.W.N.T.F. A.R.Q. Gibraltar.)

11. 11. 19~2.Wedne sdsy.

?OREIGN S'l'A:r'IOHS.

Wer :Jie!'Y.

R/eDekar.

WesternArea.Situation2200/nth.

RECLA ~.. HECLA torpecioed at 2315 position 023 0 43' N 010 0

1 sunk.......", ..,,~ 17' W VI S 180 0 16.'-I-.: U.56;. (Ship at sea 2325/11 to Gibraltar WiT.)(-1).» Have been to~edoed by a submarine torpedo.My p.e.s. (?at) 23(?16)Z 035 42' N OOgO 54i' Wboth (?boi1errooms) flooded no immediate Janger of ship sinking.

(HECLA 2345Z/ll to Gibraltar.)My 2315 MARNE and VENOMOUS standing by HECLA nv P.C.S.

035 0 (08') N OOgO 44' W 087° 17 knots.(VINDICTIVE 2345Z/11 to Gibraltar W/T.)

At 2000Z sub attack on Fedala convoy- area.(Your 1826Z refers) JOSEPH HEWES sunk by torpedo.WINOOSKI and HAMBLETON torpedo damage. Noimmediate danger of sinking. Visual contact withsubmarine; Hit conning tower and depth charged.Force Commander informed about 0700 that French

Army ceased hostilities. This force then withheld plan of attackon Casablanca in support of troops. At conference to arrangeterms attended by Hewaitt Patton Keyes Hall Nogues Michelier 'Iand others it was (?a~eed to) hostilities ceasing. Details IIwere not agreed upon (?pending) receipt ot information concerning j.agreement between Eisenhower and Dar1an of which (?N'ogues) declarED, I

he had telephoned information from Darlan. Nogues expresseddesire to await arrival of copy despatched by air mail by Darlanbefore final agreement. Advise. Casablanca Harbour capacitygreatly reduced by about 9 to 11 Ships sunk including 5 at QuayCommerCial full details on completion of survey. Patton H.Q.Miramar Hotel Fedala. Naval elements agreed to cease .hostilities but searchlights from shore vicinity of Casablancasilhouetted ships appeared deliberate. N.C.X.F•. pass toC. in C. U.8. Fleet Atlantic Allied. Force.(N.C.W.B.T.Pi 2330Z/l1 to ~.C.X.F.)

\1\"

PINQ.SUBS.014.0099

-.<.""'-" .. -.-_----~.J.._

,, '

I"

j;I

l~l~,l.I1

r1l\'r~l, 1

II

1

, ..'s; '~

I :

1~ ,

, ,II

12 .11.1942.T hJirsd8.y,•.

FO?~IG~ STATIONS.

ViaI' Diary.

( MA.RNEI) torpedoed.) RECLA sunkl ( contd. )

t...., 1,},5D;"

/

_Oo;;.,oe;;,,;r:,.;a::.;t::.::i:.::o;:.:n "T=-o:::or::..:c::;.h~" -- "~n:_

Request you Will sail 2 destroyers to R/V withVnIDICTIVE as soon as POSSible after daylight.VINDICTIVE P.C. and S. at 0700Z/12 estimated 035050' N. 007 0 22' W. 087° 17 knots.(N.C.X.F. 0106Z/12 to F.O.C.N.A. (R) VINDICTIVECapt. (S) 8, Cdre. F.)

~~m has been torpedoed.(VENOMOUS 0115Z/l2 to Gibraltar.)Add to my 0114 RECLA ('?Sunk) MARNE out of action my

POsition 0001 035 0 50' N. OOgO 57' W.(MARRE 0120Z/12 to Gibraltar.)Proceed When ready With despatch to R/V as soon as

b~~~i~~~ :t~67~a~~rg~t l~th wi1ngth2VI~mICTIVE estimated to be in,act as esc~rt to G1brait:r~er 17 17 knots at 0700Z/12 and(2) Tug SALVONIA sailed at 0145Z/l2 to assistance of HECLAtorpedoed in 035 0 42' N. oogO 54' W. at 2315/11 SALVONIAspeed 10 knots. •

(S) M.ARNE and VENOMOUS standing by RECLA. .(4) Communications: keep constant watch on Gibraltar broadcastconstant watch on 1~8 k/cs, and lOUdspeaker watch on 2410.(5) MARNE( now reported torpedoed at 0105Z/l2 in same positionr.: F.O.C.N.A. 0120Z/12 to GLAISDALE, ALBRIGHTON (R) •

VINDICTIVE, MARNE, VENOMOUS, SALVONIA, Admty. ~. If comply with ~ 1846/11 proceed with all despatch to

ass~stance of RECLA reported torpedoed in 035 0 43' N OOgO 54' W! at 23l5Z/n. • •I (2) M.ARNE and VENOMOUS are stand1Ii.g by HECLA and SALVorHA sailed

at 0145Z/l2 from Gibraltar to assist.(3) Keep constant watch on Gibraltar Broadcast.

(F.O.C.N.A. 0141Z/12 to JAUnTY (R) Admty., N.C.X.F•VINDICTIVE, LEYLAIID, MARNE, VENOMOUS.) ,Your 0035Z/l2. Proceeding without escort. My P.C. and

S. 035 0 40' N. OOgo 02' W. 086 0 17.(VINDICTIVE Ol45Z/12 to F.O.C.N.A.)My 0202Z/l2th not to HECLA. ~AlJ1~TY estimated to be in

37°,48"N. 10° l8'·W. at 2000A/ll may be proceeding to yourass~stance speed 12 knots. JAUNTY keeping constant watch onGibral tar broadcast. ?t- ':-...., j;I, ~-'''''''

(F.O.C.N.A. 02l8Z/l2 to HECLA, l~ARlm (R) VEI,10NOUSI AdC1ty., N.C.X.F.) ,! Request you will sail PRES~OTT with all despatch to assist~~ in 0350 50' N. OOgO '1(057 ) W.

, (N.C.X.F. 0240Z/l2 to F.O.C.N.A. (R) Cde. (F) Capt. (S) 8,BECLA, Ll.ARNE.)Proceed aa soon as ready with despatch to R/v as soon as

possible af.ter daylight with HECLA and MARNE both torpedoed in, 035° 50"'N.·,009~i'57t.W.· . .'I, (2) VENOMOUS'~standiilg by. .'I ' (F.O,.C-~N/A~~0246Z/12'to'PRESCOTT (R) Admty., N.C.X.F.,. HECLA/ldARNE, {·VENOMOUS. VINDICTIVE, GLAI3DALE, ALBRIGHTON,

I JAUNTY 'SALVONIA.) :.:"'~

~ My 0120/12. ALBRIGHTON sailed at 0245Z/12. L......... P)l:>-UI },{-:.,o~ (F.O.C.N.A. 0307Z/12 to vnroICTI\~ (R) Admty., GLAISDALE,

PRESCOTT, ALBRIGHTON, VENOMOUS, SALVOl:IA.) :34 ~:1

l;)! :

I IIr I1I

I II I

!I

Ll!'

, ~l (\. , .12 .11.1942.,~adSY .

Ooeration "Torch".

FOREIGN STATIm~S.

E.T.A. with PORCUPINE in companY' at T S G:Oposition 12 is 1600Z/12. Request instructionsfor R/V•.(ISAAO SWEERS oo17Z/12 to S.O. Force H. (R)N.C.X.F., PORCUPINE.) 0

Your' 0017/12 join force "R" at 17ooZ/l2 in approx. 03735' N. 001 0 47' E. Top up with fuel and rema1~ with themdurin~ the night. ,

\S.O. Force H. 0740/12 to ISAAC SVlEERS (R) PORCUPINE,. N.C.X.F. Force "R", C.S.10, S.O. Inshore squa~ron.)

If Force "R" not met by dark keep west of 001 E. until2100Z and join in 037 0 30' N. 0020 00 E. at 0600Z/13.

(S.O. Force R. 1646Z/12 to ISAAC SVmERS (R) PORCUPINE.)

ISAACSWEERS.

~.

//V/ar Diary.

Going (?near) and anchoring near Aokas.'Request (?a11 possible protection) at daylight~lease acknOWledge.\Call sign l03F 0018Z/l2 to S.N.O.L. Sector D.)From 10 3 F. Following has been read S.N.O. L.Sector D. Anchored 6 miles from berth A.2against coast in 6 fathoms of water. Requestinstructions and all possible protection fromair attack.

~ (C. in C. Plymouth 0138/12 to Admty.)

~;MARNE ;' '. ~":J:~' ~OllOw1ng' rec:ived (corrupt g'roup) SALVONIA~~torpedoed •. ~lf~'com1ng to' assist HECLA. Report P.C. and S.LHECLA sunk.-j:"f'1'.'-(~ibraltar 0035Z/12 to Admty.), ":7lJ.~ '5'\.;"', ~".';': proceed.~forthwithw1th all despatcrh to assistance!.:- c......1-1-~pp',~'otHECLA"torpedoed in 035 0 43' N. oogO 54' W.

- ('.. " at 23l5Z/11. ", ,!. ~ <') tl ~ 2) MARNE and VENOMOUS are to stand by HECLA.

;;) Keep constant watch on Gibraltar broadcast.F.O.C.N.A. 0054Z/l2 to F.S. LA MALOUINE, 3442

LOBELIA, (R) Admty~, VENOMOUS, N.C.X.F.,

Admty reencypber and pass to N.C.X.F.F. atGibraltar for information. This is C.T.F. 54disoatch 0408/12. "C.T.F. 30 (R) C.T.F. 38TITN~IA, C.T.G. 34.10, Connav C.T.G. 30.1,C. in C. Lent, C.T.G. 30.2, C.T.G. 26.5,Com Transport GRAMPHFORI...ANTFLT, N.C.E.F. from

C T F 34 Have TITANIA leave Tank Lighters to replace lossesoih~r' ships your group. Sail with COLE as escort for first500 miles then proceed independently COLE returning Casablancareporting to me. Routeing as follows subject to diversions Iby Admty. or Connav.(A) 34 N. 20 W. (B) 30 N. 40 W. (C) 33 N. 65 W. thence Base H.Comtaskgroup 34.2 provide air coverage first day. Comtaskgroup26.5 requested cover by air in vicinity Bermuda and report '.probable time of arrival in Sha Frontir to Comeastseafron basedon air observation."( Cominch 0010Z/12 to Admty.)

PINQ.SUBS.014.0100

Tornado DC!1:1.?,';ta - 11/12.11.4.2.

39. Nota. ~o follOl.....n3 account oont.urus ill re~evant lIIIlttor thlltMa beon roPCrtod on t.us incidont. No Bo:-.I'd of InquJ.%jr Yr.JJJ hold. The1 rd. t\ld.ino.l extant of tho floodi~ r<Jported in wo:y of hits NOli. " 2;:>.3 is not wn.'\t would be cxpocted but subsoquent c:'0nts preventod co(:l:l))loto story bcin:; ocrJPiloil. No dotnilod ctn'lont :l.S mAdo therefore.The' N. C.E.r. Al3iers in fon1l1rdinv the report st..tod:-

"!rho =r in "Ihich HECLA stood up to reponted torpedo-/", hit:!. cloos eredit to her D=co Control o.r;,,;:misation o.nt1 hor V

~ construction oliko." ~

. 40. It \1nB not p.rn.cticablo in ll. ship of this sizo to provideundorwntor protootion nGllinst a 21 inch torpodQ. !rho side protoct,~onof HEeL!!. \'1IlIS doll1£llll'd to \Jitlust:md attack by oirora1't torpodoos 1inch); in ;zenoroJ. torpedoes CllJ:Tiod by Go= nnd Ita.llo.n~s

nro 21 inch. //

XI. CirC\r.l3t:mooa. I

-- 4.1. ~ too ~Ght 11th/12th NovEll::lbcr, 1942, B.lLS. H:EXJLA in1 ocopOJ'\1 with H.lLS. VINDICTIVE nnd escortinG dostroyor15 VENOMOUS oncl!. MARNE: \Vtl.B on PQJls.'\~ trcm Freotorln to Gibro.ltar. HECLA WllS stationed

,·i~ at 3 ~blos, 270 deCroes i'rac VINDICTIVE and .t!w.destroyor~ wero:. . .' CTllOra.ting in scroenin{: di~OI:I No.2" VEN'OlolOUS bo:J.nG in pOllJ.tion (a)t, :;" and MARNE in position (0) • . !rhe !orce wo.s..z1a,-zaaging_in D.c;o~~~~. .:; \'11th diagi:!lIll No.1S; speod'ImB 142; knots. : ,,,'.1. '.'" ·1 ...••

It .r·, .. ·42: Weather conditions. \IY~'N.N.E. foroo 3,' !Jod.emto northor:I3".r: ":., Slvoll, night &Irk but stnrl1t. 'Haavy cumulus alouda 1011 down on ther .I;.... horizon hed the 'effect of rendorin;; silhOllllttos dif:t'iClllt..to soe, Al- .

thOU(")l the ships' wn.lo:315 ware plr.inJy Visible: .

.43. The notion stc.ta' of tho ship w;uJ as f~llOlV8:- Watch~oontrol portios and hill!' tho =nt wore closed 'Up, the machinory WQJI

in unit system, r~ policy "J" WIlS in forco ana' ell ".:e" and "XI" doorsand h:-.tchos on Md bel0l7 the r.l:\in deck wore closed.

3445

XII. Attack C-'1d Subseauont Evonts.

44. At 2.316 the torco \inS in the position .35 de:;;raGs 4Z minutesNorth, 9 de:::;rees 55 minutes West; nbout 200 oilos vrost of Tan:;ier.VINDICTIVE had just renched tho ond of 1', stnrboc..rd leg of tho zig-zll.(land 1'f£\S turnin., to the Illeo.n course 090 de:;;rees fra~ 120 degrees whonHECLA, rJhiall~ not yot ccx:i'JOncod tho turn, WQJl st1'Uok by two torpedoeson the ·sto.rboard sido c.brenst the boilor .r0Oll!S. Tho trncks et tho tor­pedoes \"rore not roportad Md thore wo.s n? ?revious indicntion th.'\te!1Cll\Y submorincs were in tho i.clmedic.to ~cJ.nity.. .

45. Action alani rattlers woro sounded and the ere'R prooeeded~.... ~.quick:l,y and quietJ,y to their stations. The ship po.1d off to sto.rboa.rd,

i: !=~i"~:" lost 'TOY, listed rnl'i~ 7t delJl'ees to sto.rboard Md then slowJ,y to 11• "', do(Waos. ,."" . ... ~'. 1-1'- ~ 1-... ."'_ ,l. _ ...

,:,~\~'46~;' ,',Ail' st~"~ lost im:I.odic.toJ,y~ 'sUrvey'of the 'dlIotlae .l. "'alea:"tho£'both boiler roOll1S wore flooded but thllt the ship \VtI.S in.'~~a.iQ.to'dnnger of sink:i.ns: This informo.tion \~ aigntJ.1lad 1:y wjT~;;G1brcJ.tc.r and. 'by vis to 1t1JU'lE, tho onJy ship in mght o.t tho time.'. ,·iJa&.'·d.LNotad to astc.blish a circulAr pc.trol c.round HECLA.

~:.' ".~, .'f 'V~. •.

. !~;T~t:i.·on WIIS tnkon to countcrflood tho port wing COT.lP.:u'1a:xmts"Mt· the boiler roa:lS; t~ds h.".d the offoct of roducil\'J tho l1:;t to

'taJ:bonrd' to 5 decroas. At the SlllJO time the o.fter bulkhoo.d of tha:Ux1l1n.ry l:lllch1ncry rOa:l. both l:lI\in ell,';ino rocn bulJ::hoa.ds Md tho

d deck over the boilor rocx~s, were shored. Tho roin 5uction,- 'stoo WllII then is01l:ltcd Md tho forwo.rd and :U'tcr elactric Pu:.1p~,uppl10d by the c1ieool aonor;\tors which woro provic1in,:: tho only ;)c,..mr',,:~~ ylt:~ ~~uCn...t~}~~WCO:~ion on thcir rospeotivo nyatol'lS.

I

I.I

1.1

. I;

II

I! I,; Ij

iII

12.11.1942.ThU!'sday ..

FOP..EIGN STATIONS.

Operation IITorch"_~iF:.I~"E

ttorpedoed.HECLA sunk(contli. )t..,~

V-S'I5"

My 0120/12. H.I.!.S. GL....rSDALE sailed at 0353Z/12.(F.O.C.R.A. 0348Z/12 to VTh"DIC'l'IVE (R) Admty.,GLAISDALE( MARNE, PRESCO~, .ALBRIGETON, SALVONIA,VENOMOUS.) "--;.~ ~,...... ,. S a. aMy 0246Z/12th. PRESCO'!'T sailed at 0440Z/12.(F.O.C.N.A. 0431Z/12 to VENOMOUS, BECLA, MA.R.l\'E,(R) Admty. N.C.X.F. VINDICTIVE, GLAISDALE,ALBRIGHTON, SALVONIA, JAUNTY.)

11y 0221Z/12 to Admty. EECLA sUnk. MARNE st1l1 anoat.VENOMOUS is getting short of fuel. S/M still in Vicinity.

(VENOMOUS 0650Z/12 to F.O.C.N.A. (R) Admty.)?f'your €l142/12. Trust you k1lled your sUbmarine. Tugs

JAUNTY and SALVONIA proceeding to your assistance and alsoPRESCOTT. Report whether EECLA ~ MARNE towable.

(N.C.X.P•. 0721Z/12 to VENOMOUS. }*fS'u. .Request yoa Will sail LAtIDGUJIIU) and LULWORTH to assist

M.AImE torpedoed in 35 0 42' N. OgO 54' W. VENOMOUS return toharbour on relie~.

. (N.C.X.F. 1052Z/12 to P.O.C.N.A. VENOMOUS (R) Capt. (S)8th, A.S. Gibraltar, MA.llliE, Cdre. F.)Proceed at best. speed to relieve VENOMOUS screening'MARNE,

in 0350

50' N. 0090 57' w. at 0001/12. SALVONIA, JAUNTY andPRESCOTT ere proceeding to assist VENOMOUS. Reported U-Boatstill in Vicinity at·· 0650/12 VENOMOUS return to Gibraltar onreliet'.

(P.O.C.N.A. 1130Z/12 to LULWORm, LAllDGUn,n (R) N.C.X.F.,E.G. 40, VENOMOTJB.)Your 0121Z/12 (0221/12 intended) and tltl 0650Z/12. MAP.m:

is towable. HECtA sUnk. VENOMOUS has only 30 tops of 011fuel remaining. Intend to attempt Oiling from MARNE in 035027' N. 010° 00' W. . .

(VENOMOUS 1330Z/12 to ·n. C.X. F. (R) ALBRIGHTON.)Reported position ·of MAfu~ 1200/12 035 0 35' N. 009 0 43' w.(N.C.X.F. 1437Z/12 to 'VENOMOUS, PRESCOTT, SALVONIA.}JONQUIL standing by' MARNE until escort arrives. LOUISBliIRG

has proceeded to jo1.."l U.G.F. two. Am prooeeding C~sablancaforthwith. Request escort may join me at daylight tomorrow asfuel is probably insufficient. Have 380 survivors on board.My P.C. and S. (?054°) 27' N. 0100 00' W•. 1350 12 knots.Request acknOWledgment.

(VENOMOUS 1608Z/12 to N.C.X.F. (R) C.W.N.T.F.)Sailed 1343/12 LANDGUA..1ID and LULWORTH to relieve VEN01lI0US.(F.O.C.N.A. 17122/12 to Admty. ~~~, VENOMOUS, PRESCOTT,SALVONIA (R) N.C.X.P.)

~. r ~;:.~!~;~;.;}.~.~:, My ·.1251Z/18 and. 1601Z/11. 12 Catelinas now at ' :./.> '.;' ',<l::i$ii:·&~:"1;. ..'. Freetovm.... They w111 fuel at Bathurat on way, .;

.' '., :'!~:b:~i'lU'ii~·!I:•. northward~: . Intend each.. to carry two depth ::.. ·.!··t,i~·li:·,·i~'.r..l· .ir· charges 1r endurance permits when exact dea-

~;::'1J ,.t.~.\:J l~ ,; t1nation 1s known. Will sail BISCAYNE as soon'..,.... ~i; ',:'!l' ..'; as Catalinas leave.

(R.A.W; At. 0037Z/12 to N.C.X.F.)344,1

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PINQ.SUBS.014.0101

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(b) Tho offoct ol' the oxplosion.s of too fourth ~ fifth tor­l)Odoo:l upon uon in tho \7:.tor alOIlO to the chip.

(c) E::h!\ustion Md bcin- =ble to hold on to rafts, li tWhon oovllred in oil 1'uel~ nos, 0 0.,

(d) The neeoludty 'li'hich nroBO for VEM:lllOtlS to c:-..rry out n depthch::.r:;o c.ttack in the vicinity of LlCn in the ,rotor•

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50. HECLA'lma n0l1 oons1c1orod to bo in a. oriti~ oondit:l.on; far<lXIl.CinD.tion rovea.led thL\t tho followinr\ ocr.lpD.r1:l:lantll 110ra flooded:-ell port V/itllJS betl100n bulkhenc1ll 69 o..nd 121, the torpedo IItora, torplldopc.rtin::: spnce, TIllrhea.d roow, li~t Cllchino shop o..nd refri;;era.tor 5pc.oe.A si.:ncJ. cxplc.ininr; the position w.a drnfted but it'W!l.8 il:lposlliblO totrc.nsr.tit it by \Tfr. WlmlE 'lmS infomod c.nd mu-nod to stand by ifo.bo.ndonill£l'ship bo=o nocessc.ry.

51 • Personnel wore ordored to rnft nm, ca.rley flont IIta.tionS o.ndWl the list to port ml.S stea.d:l.J,y incronsina tho order flllll given toa.bMdon ship. By the t:L<lC tho d,.~ control pa.rtios left.theirsta.tiona tho list lwd increased to 25 c1or;roes. This Wll.8 the lc.stroeordcd list.

, 52. At 0032/12th c. fourth torpedo struck the ship on tho portsido nft, c.b::-ec.st "X" turret. Too list to port Ilcoqloratod Md the shiplIettled until the quc.rter deck and port woillt 1I'erl3 CImlah.

53. At 01 05/12th November, c. fif~h' torpedo, fired frcr.1 the beam,struck the IlhiIl ri(;ht nft on too sta.rboc.rd s:l.de. HARNE, in Il posit:l.onon EECLA'II pox1; quarter wa.s also torpodood about this time. ~

"'J~c>l,l~ ,~ "t~~bO' \tIT !1AeNE'" . " •540 It WIlS obv:l.ous thAt tho and W!Ul now noc.r end. nt- 0116 IJECLA

heeled over on to her be= ends o.nd aank storn first in 2000 fc.thcms ofwntor approxiJ::lo.tely. " , ., , " ',_. :I11tI-,,?

•

/. 48. The ehip Wll.8 prepared torwnrd tar .bo1tllJ tclam in ttM, boatIIC3Curing o1ul.ins woro OOJIt off lII1d tho pOllOr :boata WClrO tuclllld. ' .Anoffor i'ra:l VENOMJUS to tnko HIDLA in to.v'WM'dool1ned,'h~,:QlIitwns considored thc.t'only'c. vary slOl'I 8pOOd,uWlclibo' "'b~\I&n4·e.lso ,.that the dostroyer 1V'OUJ.d be core profi~~u!pJ.oyoci:u';fiif~~e.n.

•,,' ,~. , '.. ',; "';, i'·'·''',,·''/:''''~'~i~~'~;7.rl;>' "49. At 0022/12th 'NovOl:lbor,. LI. ~crpedo ,trnck waa'~,~.;ibO' ,

npproc.chiIl(l fror.1 tha pOrt quDrtor and too 'lIh:\.p Wll.8;.~Al"\~'l'Oaitione.st1r.latod to bo on bulkheo.d 82. Tho axplosion ot thia torpodo, ;1Ibich!\ppec.rcd to be moro violent thnn OIly of trio others;'thrcli¥ up ·).ArcequAntities of ,vo.tor, oil nnd dobris, l7hioh covered perllOnnoli!J11 thebridc,e and forocastle o..nd decolbOOd the pert so:l.-oont. FollOlvin;:: the ,hit the ship listed voI"'J ropid,l,y fra.1 5 c1o~rooll tv .tc.rbon;-cl ~ 17 ~~eosto port. ' ,..., .

nn. . Abandon:l.nr\ Ship,.

344 '7

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55. Aa a relllllt of the t:l.rst attack boot1 bootll on the starboc.rdside WCl"O otove in. Following the BOoond a':ta.ck there was no poweravailo.ble for the 10 ton ernna DJ1d the raIllll.'1Jl:l. bOCX1 bonts could notbe hoisted out therefore. The sta.rboa.rd sec. boat wns'looered into thewater in spite of the hea.vy list to port, but r:JtJ:!/ hAve been do=aad inthe process ll8 it cnpsized later.

56. SOi:la of the oarley floo.ts and prc.etiClllly all the Spannerrafts en the stnrboo.rd sido were seriously d..'1IIlagGd; overcl'OlVliin(: of thoremaininc life-snviIl(l equipclOnt wns inov:l.tnblo theroforo. The latter',/!,.3 10lVered and occupied in (ll1 orderly n.'UUlCr but difficulty wns ex­perienced in propelling it cleo.r of the ship. Two or three of the portboan bents flca.ted off in r..n lIf{llSh colXii tion \"/hen the ship sank buttheY'l/'ONthen too fa.r frolll tho bulk of the man in the wo.tor to be 01'much vc.lue.

')7. No trace of firo on boa.rd wt'.8 reported nt MY timo.

XIV. C!\s~ties.

58. As rnr Q,s is kn<1lm 12 offieors :o.nd 279 rntin/la \1erO lost outor Q, Ca,11Jlcr.lOnt of 39 of'ficcra C\nd 799 rr.tin,r:s. Thoso losse s oro!\ttributcd to the t'ollowinr. f,'l.etors:-

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PINQ.SUBS.014.0102