Help with S.S Kentucky 1942 crew

[GeraldTripp]

Greetings all,

Does anybody have a crew agreement (1942) for US tanker, S.S. Kentucky: #2241521 (US#) aka #168288 (UK#) when transferred to MOWT? Both a US and UK crew list/agreement might exist as the tanker, enroute from Baltimore to Gibraltar, was taken over by MOWT and recrewed under Capt. C.J.R Roberts.

I’m researching (from Canada) my grandfather’s Merchant Navy experience (1939 to 1947) John Morden Jackson (aka‘Jack’), d.o.b 9.11.1910, Huddersfield, Yorks, Dis. A # R222685. I am creating a written account of his service for his descendants. (Two CRS page images attached)

I hope to find his agreements for the Kentucky to determine if he really was part of the original US crew then stayed on with UK crew. His CRS10 indicates (possibly), “agreement opened Philadelphia.“ I have scoured multiple accounts of Operation Harpoon and passenger/crew list sites in this quest.

John Morden Jackson was ships carpenter on at least 10 British merchants on Atlantic convoys and also is listed as being in the American and Canadian Pool (no vessels listed). He was on the Walt Whitman (US) after surviving the S.S Kentucky sinking in Operation Harpoon. He survived the war, but we have little info on his American/Canadian pool experience just some memories of postcards from Baltimore and Quebec city. There is no seaman’s pouch.

The missing piece: How did a British merchant navy carpenter end up in Baltimore/Philadelpha and get assigned to the brand new US tanker Kentucky as part of a US crew?

Question 2) On his CRS front page I see a “V” listed under Other Qualifications dated 17/3/44 Holyhead. I’ve found (online) a reference to this being an abbreviation for “Inspector.” Does that seem accurate? What does getting this V mean in terms of tasks he’d perform? He was assigned to LMS Rlys (presumably their maritime division?) at that time.


Any help is greatly appreciated and will be credited in my write-up.

Gerald Tripp
(Ottawa)
CRS10 pg2 John Morden Jackson.jpgJohn Morden Jackson CRS 10 pg1 shows V qualification.jpg

[Doc Vernon]

Hello Gerald
Well as you seem to have quite a lot of info on him thus far, i feel there is little more one can do, but of course as far as the Crew List goes, who knows!
I will try and delve into this for you as well and will post here if i do come up with any more info!
Here is the details of the Ship in Question though. Cheers

Kentucky - (1942-1942) (aukevisser.nl)

Looks like there may be some light in this Series at the National Archives for the Ship and Crew Lists.
You will have to request a copy from them, and Pay the normal fee! 8 GBP wether or not anything is found, non refundable.
If found they will send you info on the Actual cost , which you can the accept or reject!
Cheers

Search in BT387 for agreements and crew lists of allied foreign ships requisitioned or chartered by the British government in the Second World War. The records contain details of UK merchant seamen who served on the ships. BT 387 is arranged by ranges of ships’ names therefore you will need to browse the series.

Kaia Knutseh - Keymont | The National Archives

Medal File for him

Medal File JM Jackson.JPG

His Seamans Pouch which will have Basic Info if you want it?? Again have to Pay for Copy.
R222685 JACKSON J M 09/11/1910 HUDDERSFIELD | The National Archives

ALSO THIS MAY HELP AS WELL ??

Search results: 168288 | The National Archives

Lastly Gerald i guess as you are in Canada you have loked at the Newfoundland University Maritime Archives as far as Crew List goe. However although there does not seem to be any listed for that Ship (Kentucky) the Archives are always updating their Files, and it may be a good idea just to Email them and ask the Question as to if they may have the Crew list you need??
Contact (For attention of) Mrs Tanya MacDonald, at their Email address.
Cheers

Search results: 168288 | The National Archives

mha@mun.ca

[WG Smith]

There must have been two vessels named Kentucky. An S.S. Kentucky sailed in PQ.18 and was lost on 18 September 1942 - see https://media.defense.gov/2022/Jun/0...HIP_LOSSES.PDF

[GeraldTripp]

Doc!

Thanks so much for your timely and generous response regarding the S.S Kentucky crew agreement search. I've now made enquiries of Newfoundland's Maritime University Archives as I had not done so before. And the link to the BT387 and 'proof of the pouch' is much appreciated...(wish I was in the UK to see in person as those fees add up fast in Canuck dollars)

I've also now reached out to Shell historical archives to see if they can help.

Any thoughts on where I might follow up on the 'V" qualification given at Holyhead?

All the Best,

Gerald Tripp
(son of a NZ merchant man)
Ottawa Canada

[GeraldTripp]

Thanks very much for that info - always good to know where confusion can occur. This clarifies the mention of Kentucky survivors arriving in a Scottish port (a record that I have now mislaid), they were not from the S.S Kentucky of Operation Harpoon (some of these were 'repatriated by (un-named)destroyer' to Milton Haven by July 25/42 according to my grandad's CRS.)

The 'other' Kentucky...according to wiki:
[Kentucky]Convoy PQ 18: The cargo ship was attacked by Luftwaffe aircraft 35 miles (56 km) off Cape Kanan, Soviet Union (68°45′N 43°30′E) and was abandoned. Her 71 crew survived; they were rescued by two British minesweepers. Kentucky came ashore and was declared a total loss.[155][156][/I]


Gerald T
Ottawa/Canada

[WG Smith]

Re the above, following extract frommybook Churchill's Arctic Convoys may be of interest.

When on 18 September, Russia proper came into view and the tip of the Kanin Peninsula sighted it seemed the greatest dangers were past. Not so, as shortly before 10.00 Ulster Queen’s Type 279 Radar plotted a large group of aircraft approaching from the west. Low flying He.111s were then sighted on the starboard quarter at 10.20. Ulster Queen had taken up station in the rear of the convoy formation between the fourth and fifth of the seven remaining columns when the main escort left. A turn was now made to bring all main armament to bear, and she opened fire at 10,000 yards. In a change from previous tactics the aircraft now attacked from astern. Twelve spread across the rear of the convoy deploying to line abreast on the same course. The attacking aircraft met a robust barrage of anti-aircraft fire from the Gremyashchy, Sharpshooter, and Ulster Queen as well as the rear merchant ships and smaller craft. The attack was so low a ‘splash barrage’ was put up.
Most aircraft released their torpedoes at 3,000 to 4,000 yards; these seemed to break the surface of the sea and finish their run against the rear ships. The Kentucky in the port wing column was hit in the No.2 Hold and dropped astern. Her fifty-five crew and fourteen Armed Guards promptly abandoned ship although Kentucky remained afloat. Harrier proceeded to the rear of the escort screen, ordering Sharpshooter to organise rescue work with the Cape Mariato and Motor Minesweepers 90 and 203, the latter of who picked up the crew of the Kentucky.
Sharpshooter was ordered by Ulster Queen to stand by Kentucky until tugs arrived, with the Cape Mariato retained to act as additional escort. As the Kentucky in no danger of sinking and capable of steaming, Sharpshooter stood by with the intention of placing a Naval Salvage Party onboard and persuading the crew to return onboard as soon as the air attack was over. Then whilst turning to go alongside Kentucky, both Sharpshooter and Kentucky were dive-bombed by a Ju.88. Kentucky was hit aft by two bombs and set on fire. Sharpshooter suffered a slight leak in her port oil fuel tanks from two near misses. It was judged impossible to go alongside Kentucky with her stern on fire and the situation was becoming made increasingly uncomfortable by the torpedo-bombers. Sharpshooter fired a few rounds into the burning hull of the Kentucky. Cape Mariato was ordered to follow Sharpshooter and rejoin the convoy under cover of their own AA barrage (the convoy was still under torpedo attack). The trawler was bombed three times en route without injury. Sharpshooter, Cape Mariato, and Motor Minesweepers 90 and 203 then rejoined the convoy with the complete ship’s company of the Kentucky joined by the Uritsky.