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FIVE

The Iceberg......

We were sailing independent of convoy having lost the other accompanying ships in thick fog off Greenland when en route from Liverpool to St John's Newfoundland, and without radar, when suddenly the temperature dropped ominously - even colder than previously.

Fortunately, at about this time, the fog dispersed and there, on our starboard side, was the largest iceberg imaginable. Its cliffs towered high above us, and (as we know that only one eighth of an iceberg is above water), we wondered just how close to it we really were !

The order came "Had a-port", and we sheered off as quickly as possible, and by good fortune, went safely on our way.

I will always remember just how near we were to disaster - how close to that beautiful pale blue mountain of ice !

SIX

My 21st Birthday.......

After crossing the North Atlantic safely once again in convoy, those ships which had survived *** entered the harbour at St John's, Newfoundland to replenish stores, water and ammunition on the 9th May 1943.

As it was my 21st Birthday we went ashore to celebrate ! Imagine our chagrin to find there were no pubs (and the Missions to Seamen only sold 'soft' drinks) - and,in fact, at that time St John's was completely "dry" !

Nevertheless, we had a great time - even if my health was drunk in milk. (At least no-one had a 'hang-over' the next day!).

*** Many ships were lost in that particular passage.

SEVEN

Gibraltar and the mini "Depth-charges"

Anchoring outside the Mole at Gibraltar, the Port D.E.M.S. Officer boarded to report that several ships had been sunk whilst at anchor just outside the harbour by divers, who, having swum over from Algecirus (Spain), had stuck magnetic mines to their hulls, and had then detonated them by remote control.

To combat this menace he had brought aboard a case of explosive 'hand primed' mini depth-charges to be used in our defence. (We were assured that if we were attacked in daylight hours we would see "bubbles" from the swimmers so that we could see where they were in order to drop the depth-charges on top of them !!)

However, during the hours of darkness they were to dropped overboard around the hull at irregular intervals so that the 'swimmers' would not be able to time the explosions and phase their raids accordingly.

Being the Armaments Officer it fell to me to organise their use..

The explosive of these anti-personnel depth-charges was contained in tubes about 12" long and 3" radius and each mine was armed by striking (with an ordinary hammer!)a 6" fuse which protruded from one end.

This was a hazardous operation for two reasons:
(1) There was a likelihood of striking one's
thumb withe hammer.
(2) There was a greater risk of being blown
to smithereens if, having struck the
fuse, it wasn't thrown over the side
quickly enough.

In the event, all went well, although afterwards, the whole crew - including the Captain, let me know in no uncertain terms that no-one had enjoyed a decent night's sleep the whole time the ship was in port.
(However, I did not hear one single complaint about all the freshly killed fish which the ship's cook recovered from the sea and which were eaten by everyone with great pleasure !).

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