Transcribed from several documents received from Roger Griffiths (Advance Sailing Telegram and A 1 forms) - His source: Public Records Office, Kew.

The ships are listed in the order in which they appear on the various documents.

Notes for Bermuda Section:
"Ships which cannot keep up with the convoy during the first forty-eight hours are to proceed to Halifax or St. John's, Newfoundland.

The use of W/T is strictly under the captain's orders. No private sets are allowed.

With the exception of the Vice Commodore, ALL W/T RECEIVERS, whether capable of oscillation or not, ARE TO BE SEALED.

These seals may only be broken:
a - When fog is encountered (Consigs Art. 17).
b - In the presence of an enemy warship (AMSI 347).
c - In real emergency at Master's discretion.
d - By order of Commodore.
e - For purposes of maintenance.

Seals broken are to be replaced when the above conditions no longer apply.

SAILING DAY: At 13:00 Mahia will sound one 15 second blast which is the executive for the convoy to sail. Ships will proceed in the following order, keep well closed up:
1 - Mahia, 2- Cardium, 3 - Athelsultan, 4 - Hopemount (did not sail), 5 - British Hope, 6 - Geo W. McKnight, 7 - San Eliseo. Balfe will sail from St. George's as convenient."

General notes - Convoy HX 131:
Average speed: 8 knots.

Commodore was S. N. White in Arabian Prince, Vice Commodore was D. K. Blyth, the captain of San Gaspar.

The convoy had 43 ships, but the Norwegian *James Hawson developed engine trouble at 07:00 June 7 and stopped. Speed of convoy was reduced to 6 knots. James Hawson regained position in convoy at noon, and convoy speed was increased to 7 knots. She dropped astern again at 18:00 and a corvette was sent over on Commodore's orders to advise her that if she was unable to keep up it was better to return to port, which she did at 18:25, in 43 10N 59 36W. She's listed as sailing in HX 132.

Selvistan was unable to keep station at more than 8.5 knots although reported as capable of 9 knots. Cause reported by lamp as being "bad coal - doing utmost".

"Convoy Rescue Ships" by Arnold Hague says that the Rescue Vessel Perth was with this convoy from June 17 until June 22-1941, on her 3rd voyage as Rescue Vessel, having started this voyage on June 12 from Clyde with westbound Convoy OB 333 (until June 15).

The Commodore says:
Station keeping - Good
Signalling - Visual signalling on whole excellent on all British ships and most Scandinavian.

Behaviour:
Arabian Prince (H. Pinnell) exceptionally keen navigation by master and officers, excellent ship for Commodore though small.
San Gaspar (D. Blyth) and British Mariner (H. Beattie) efficient carrying out of duties on D.F. guard ships.

Large number of engine breakdowns hampered progress during first week. Number of breakdowns causing delay during passage was 7.
Apparent U-boat signal D.F.'d in 43 00N 56W.
Apparent discrepancy between rendezvous with Iceland escort and rendezvous for local escort (the convoy arrived rendezvous on June 17).
Fog almost continuously from June 18 onwards.

At 21:00 GMT on June 20 - parted company with Loch Ewe section from main body, Master of San Gaspar (Vice Commodore) taking over guard.

Commodore's suggestions for improvements:
Universal adoption of Halifax N.S. stringency re wireless (ships and private sets).
Suggest a group of Consigs to effect that Master of (ship indicated) assume duties of Commodore of section indicated (whatever the commodore is referring to is missing, unless he's referring to San Gaspar and the Loch Ewe section in this case?).

Escort Vessels:
(Note that names are hard to decipher - some guessing has taken place):
HMS Cheshire, HMCS Rimouski and HMCS Pictou left Halifax with convoy,
HMS Honeysuckle joined at 22:30 on June 12 in 52 56N 48 10W.
Iceland Escort not met. Parted company at 16:20 GMT on June 17.
Local Escort: HMS Beagle, HMS Boadicea, HMS Salisbury, HMS Seagull, HMS Sharpshooter, Maplin (or Mapijn or similar), HMS Lady Madeleine, HMS Ayershire, HMS St. Loman, HMS Orchis, HMS Nigella - met as arranged at 16:00 on June 17 (2 hours early) in 60 10N 26 45W.
Air Escort: Sunderland flying boat at 03:20 June 17 in 60 05N 29 42W. One Whitley bomber at 18:15 June 20 in 59 00N 06 45W.

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