The escorts leaving the UK were USCG Campbell, HMCS Rosthern, Trillium, Badger, HMS Dianthus and the Polish destroyer Burza. Escort duties were transferred on Nov. 19 in 43 47N 48 11W.

British Valour had initially been in the convoy (escort oiler), but had to return to Clyde due to engine trouble. Panama had also been among the ships, but straggled, also with engine trouble. A number of southbound vessels dispersed on the 17th, and it appears Panama was among them.

Other ships in this convoy are named on this page.

The convoy was attacked by U-518 on Nov. 21, 2 British ships were damaged, 1 sunk.

At the time of the attack on the 21st the following 19 ships were in the convoy:

The British Empire Sailor in station 82 for St.John N.B -Torpedoed and sunk by U-518 with the loss of 22 lives.
The British British Promise in station 61, bound for New York f. o., but after having been torpedoed and damaged on Nov. 21 (U-518) diverted to Halifax.
The British British Renown in station 71, New York for Curacao, also diverted to Halifax after having been torpedoed and damaged on Nov. 21 (U-518).

The British Boston City, for New York.
The British Comanchee in station 51 for New York, Commodore Magee.
The British Idomeneus in station 63, New York for Panama, Melbourne and Sydney.

The American Paul H. Harwood, New York f. o..
The American Pan Rhode Island, New York f. o..
The American Esso Baywater, New York for Curacao.
The American Gulf Hawk, New York f. o..
The American Gulf Gem, New York for Curacao.
The American White Plains, New York.
The American W.W. Bruce in station 72, New York for Curacao
U.S.S. Laramie, Naval Oiler

The Dutch Aruba in station 81 - bound for Boston

The Norwegian Brant County in station 83, for St John N.B.
The Norwegian Mosli, New York for Curacao.
The Norwegian Skaraas in station 23, Halifax.
The Norwegian Thorhild, New York f. o.. Vice Commodore Whitehorn.

Escorts at the time were HMS Wanderer and the Canadian Buctouche, Minas and Timmins.

Escorts were replaced again on Nov. 22 for the final leg to New York by HMS Caldwell (Lt.Commander E.M.Mackay RNR), HMCS Matapedia ( Lt.R J Herman RCNR), HMCS Monkton (Lt.A W Ford RCNR), HMCS Granby (Mate J R Biggs RCNR).

It appears other ships joined the convoy for the final leg to New York, among them the Norwegian Askepot which was reported and reprimanded for straggling and failing to keep station. In the opinion of the Senior Officer Lt Commander Mackay RNR "she endangered both herself and the convoy as she never caught up with the main body till arrival in port". Alan says that there is also mention in signals of the American tanker Trontolite who also appears to have joined after Nov. 21. Like Askepot, this ship also became a straggler.

This page will be updated with more information.

Related external link:
The history of USS Campbell - Mentions some escorts for ON 145.

Back to Convoy Index

To the next convoy in my list ON 146
will be added, as will ON 147 through ON 151
In the meantime, see Ships sailing in all ON convoys
The next available ON convoy is ON 152