Free Web Hosting Provider - Web Hosting - E-commerce - High Speed Internet - Free Web Page
Search the Web

,V*

~

Page 1

ENCLOSURF, TO HMS "GENROY"s LETTER DATED 30.11.42 No 26581190

"CTLENROY'. TORPEDOING AND SUB SEQLRNT REPAIRS.
  Part 1 EX-I'RACT FROM "GLENROY's LETTER OF PROCEEDINGS 23RD Nov to 4T" Dec. 1942

          Glenrey left Alexandria for Tobruk at 0330 on Sunday, 23 d November escorted by H.M. Ships CARLISE< FARNDALE, ERIDGE, and AVONVALE. Ship carried cargo of lighters and Motor towing launches with 80 Army personnel. Ships own landing craft were left at Alexandria. Weather became bad and some loss and damage to lighters was sustained.

          2. At 1605, November, 23d, position 3 1 o 59' N, 26o 27,7 E., Course 265o ship was attacked by Torpedo Aircraft which approached low *om the land and Glenroy was hit portside just abaft the Engine Room by the second of two torpedoes. Engine Room and No 4 and 5 Holds (including messes on upper 'tween decks) flooded at once and tow lighters were destroyed by the blast. No casualties.
                    At 1620 the troops with seamen boatkeepers were sent in remaining port lighters to FARNDALE for transport to Tobruk. A portion of daymen were also transhipped. Prepared to be taken in tow by CARSILE.
                    At 1730 as ship continued to settle aft due to gradual flooding of No SA hold, with all pumps (electrical) out of action, a further portion of the ship's company was transhipped to ERIDGE.
                    1820, In tow by CAESILE, course 090o, 3 knots, emergency dynamo providing lighting and steering. Weather moderate during the .......... but stem of ship continued to settle till aft well deck was nearly awash.

          3. Monday 24th November
                    A.M. It was unlikely ship would reach Alexandria, and course was altered for Mersa Matmth with a view to beaching. Further portions of ship's company were disembarked into escorting destroyers and CARSILE.
                    P.M. At noon approximately ship was near to Mersa Matruth and tow was slipped by CARSILE. GLENROY's cable was then burned through and local patrol craft from Mersa Matruth towed ships stern towards the shore, assisted later by tug ST ISSEY from Alexandria.
                    1 500. Let go Port anchor and after veering 1 0 shackles, ships stern grounded lightly. Position 063o White Rock 1350 feet. Salvage work started with one 3" pump ftom ST ISSEY.

          4. Tuesday to Thursday 25127'h November.
                    Heavy salvage pumps arrived from Alexandria with the Fleet Salvage Officer (Commander ~ELER R.N.R.) No SA Hold filed before pumps could be rigged and ship's stern sank and rested on the bottom during the night of 25126h November, with after well deck awash.
                    Weather,calm. Emergency dynamo connected up with wandering leads to work derricks (for hoi-sting in pumps and -hoisting out lighters and motor towing launches) and working cable.