Post by Administrator on Feb 21, 2024 22:04:19 GMT
SS Jeremiah O'Brien, National Lib
1944: Keeping Supply Routes Open - 80 Years Ago this Month!
February 7 - Our ship left Halifax on her 3rd transatlantic voyage, and was in a convoy of 65 ships, six corvettes, 12 destroyers and three aircraft carriers.
February 15, 1944 approaching the coast of Scotland, the warning came that an enemy submarine was in the vicinity. The O’Brien was in position #11 in the convoy and rapt crew members watched from afar as two of the carriers and several escorts were seen congregating off the port bow. Later, depth charges were deployed but the crew couldn’t feel their effect, the escorts later left and the carrier resumed its position in the convoy.
February 17th, a warning was received that aircraft were approaching, possibly enemy. The escorts closed around the convoy for protection. All of the 20mm’s were cocked and loaded. After a jittery night braced for an attack, the crew decided the aircraft were part of the convoy.
The following day English bombers flew overhead, and when the crew saw the friendly markings on the planes, there was relief all around for the welcome sight.
The O’Brien sailed under radio silence but being ‘kept in the dark’ was a constant source of anxiety and grousing among the crew. While on the Atlantic convoys, all radio traffic was incoming - messages were never sent via radio - but instead semaphore flags were used to communicate with the other ships in the convoy so as to not give away any locations.
February 19 the convoy arrived at Oban, on Scotland’s west coast in the Firth of Lorne and anchored overnight, she was bound northerly for Methil and Leith.
(picture is of a Liberty ship not the Jeremiah O'Brien)
1944: Keeping Supply Routes Open - 80 Years Ago this Month!
February 7 - Our ship left Halifax on her 3rd transatlantic voyage, and was in a convoy of 65 ships, six corvettes, 12 destroyers and three aircraft carriers.
February 15, 1944 approaching the coast of Scotland, the warning came that an enemy submarine was in the vicinity. The O’Brien was in position #11 in the convoy and rapt crew members watched from afar as two of the carriers and several escorts were seen congregating off the port bow. Later, depth charges were deployed but the crew couldn’t feel their effect, the escorts later left and the carrier resumed its position in the convoy.
February 17th, a warning was received that aircraft were approaching, possibly enemy. The escorts closed around the convoy for protection. All of the 20mm’s were cocked and loaded. After a jittery night braced for an attack, the crew decided the aircraft were part of the convoy.
The following day English bombers flew overhead, and when the crew saw the friendly markings on the planes, there was relief all around for the welcome sight.
The O’Brien sailed under radio silence but being ‘kept in the dark’ was a constant source of anxiety and grousing among the crew. While on the Atlantic convoys, all radio traffic was incoming - messages were never sent via radio - but instead semaphore flags were used to communicate with the other ships in the convoy so as to not give away any locations.
February 19 the convoy arrived at Oban, on Scotland’s west coast in the Firth of Lorne and anchored overnight, she was bound northerly for Methil and Leith.
(picture is of a Liberty ship not the Jeremiah O'Brien)