An extract from the Diary of Leading Seaman Thomas Nevin during passage of HMS Birmingham from Scapa Flow to Alexandria, November 1943.
November 13th: Scapa -
Captain cleared lower deck- told us we were bound for Greenock, thence to await orders- no leave- great disappointment amongst crew- who expected at least a few days, especially as we were going on a foreign commission.
11.10am Weighed and put to sea. Wonder when and under what circs we shall see Scapa again? Not sorry to leave the place but guess we shall pine for it after a few weeks out East. Sea on beam- and rough as far as Cape Wrath. Once in Minches calmed down.
Sunday November 14th. -
Arrived Greenock 0800- morning cold but fine. Little doing in forenoon. Pm went ashore- first run since Devonport on September 19th. Place very dead- everything closed. Managed to get hold of a few Christmas cards. Leave expired 2300. Quite a few chaps adrift. Good luck to them.
Monday November 15th.
An uneventful day.
Leave to Port Watch- another crowd adrift. Number of passengers aboard including Admiral Cowie- a queer old bloke. Age 73- repatriated from Italy. Dressed in Commando uniform- rumour says his ambition is to die in action. He’s welcome to it!! Ship under sailing orders.
Tuesday November 16th.
The fateful day at last. Weighed 0245 and left the Clyde. Saw coast of Northern Island when on deck at 0800. Know that coast like the back of my hand now. Sea fairly calm- slight swell- but this ship exaggerates the smallest ripple.
1200. Captain spoke to Ships Coy. Over S.R.E. Told us we were convoying 43 000 troops and supplies for Algiers, Alexandria and Bombay. Pursuing westerly course 600 miles out to avoid enemy a/c. Speed of convoy 13 knots. About 40 U-boats.
Recognised Reina Del Pacifico, Duchess of Bedford, Dempo (Dutch- convoyed her in April ’42 from L’pool), Ranchi, Orion, Highland Princess, Monarch of Bermuda.
Bad start to trip- 2 0f escort had to turn back- owing to defects. Sea becoming rough- feel sorry for troops on transports. Some lads on board feeling pretty dicky.
Wednesday.
Sea calm- circled convoy, had good look at ships. Escort Spey joined us. That makes 5 not including us. “Progress Chart” informs us we have to go further west to avoid U-boats- putting 600 miles on our journey. Course about 270.
Thursday November 18th.
Sea calm. Turned back @ 0915 to await further escort Jed- but she didn’t arrive- did only 215. Unidentified a/c reported. I wonder did she spot us? Maybe “one of ours” on patrol. Innoculated- arm sore.
Friday.
Jed arrived early this morning- oiled 2 escorts after much difficulty. Arm still sore.
Saturday.
Convoy (slow) northbound east of us attacked by 15 U-boats. One escort hit and towed to Azores. Notice weather becoming warmer having turned south Now about lat. of Southern France but about 600 or more miles out. Sea very calm but sky overcast. Oiled two more escorts.
Evening.
Slight swell maybe caused by lightening of about 600 tons of oil.
Sunday November 21st.
Fine, heavy sea running, 150 miles west of Azores- Jed sighted unidentified 4-engined plane- maybe Fortress or maybe? Expect to reach Gib about Tuesday. All told a very quiet day.
Monday November 22nd.
Beam wind and sea.
Northbound convoy attacked by long range flying boats carrying ‘Chase-me-Charlies’- two hits out of 16 (Sunday). Attack continued this morning. Sea moderated towards nightfall.
Tuesday.
Fine-calm sea- left convoy 1800 and proceeded alone to Gib. Speed 26 Knots.
Wednesday.
Arrived Gib 0800- very fine weather. Leave pm- went ashore and walked around- visited church of Our Lady the Crowned- very nice but too dark. Walked to border at La Linea but too dark to see anything particular. Saw signs of much poverty- especially among people of La Linea who come into Gib every day. Prices in town exorbitantly high- most of stuff just cheap trash e.g. 2/11d silk stockings at 12/6d pair. Who said war doesn’t pay.
Thursday.
Still in harbour contrary to expectations. Dempo (one of convoy) arrived in am. And discharged passengers.
PM. Ship under sailing orders. Left 2200 at 26 knots- destination either Port Said or Alexandria. Apparently we are to proceed alone- for which many thanks. Have to pass dangerous area (a/c attack) during next 36 hours.
Friday.
Weather fine- sea calm- little to report. Evening- convoy ahead attacked by a/c. One ship which had joined convoy later (apparently off Gib) sunk- 700 survivors. 8 a/c shot down.
Saturday.
Sea calm- fine- in sight of land- stbd side- all day.
Sunday
Fine- calm- speed 24 knots. Prayers on qtr deck for ship’s coy. Letter from schoolgirl in Brum- must answer it.
1118 On Watch- down aft. Terrific bump- ship lifted. Thought we had hit a mine. Went up on deck to see what had gone in TX. Found explosion was forward. Hands on watch stand fast- off watch to emergency stations. Carried on- ship OK but speed reduced by half. Carried on watch- apparently we had been struck by submarine torpedo.
1230. Found my mess had been hit. Someone’s prayers have been answered. Four of my mess mates have been killed- and one radar operator, so far as we know. Lord have mercy on them. Quite a few casualties, some serious but many caused by gas from frig. and batteries. Five dead- about five blown overboard. Don’t know how many are down in messdecks. Everyone on ship shaken. Tried to scrounge something to eat- no mess left for us.
Escort of 2 destroyers and about 10 planes (one of which dropped depth charges). Stand by for further attack. Stand to at dusk. 5 buried at sea. About 7o’clock action stations again- suspected submarine following us.
Ordered to join slow convoy ahead. Present speed 10-14 knots. A nerve-wraking night- never knowing what to expect next minute. Slept in clothes with life belt blown up.
Monday
Stand to at dawn- convoy ahead. Still making 10 knots.
Damage mostly in W/T and Signalmen’s mess- about 14 still down there. Hopes of chaps overboard being picked up. 5 in one and two messes- thank God their death must have been quick.
PM Speed reduced- joined convoy- danger of forecastle giving way. Signalled for destroyer stand by to take us in tow- managed to keep going. Good escort now.
Dusk- stand to- mine sighted. Captain spoke on SRE. Death roll 27. To reach Alex 0800.
Tuesday.
Alexandria at last. Ship down about 12 feet by head…reach harbour safely. Expect to do temporary repairs here and proceed elsewhere for permanent one. Hope it is UK. Claimed for lost kit. Tried to get out remaining bodies but no success.
Wednesday. -
Can’t those chaps out of my head. Jump at slightest sound. I suppose I am beginning to feel reaction now. Ship’s coy. generally pretty subdued, especially our mess. Incidentally nearly everyone on Sunday complained of headaches. Two bodies got out - Hillier or a sparker. Coffined and taken to morgue. Apparently damage more severe than first estimated.
