Ss cragpool

[David Whitfield]

Hello, I am researching in more detail my fathers wartime service as a Merchant Navy radio officer. I came across a snipet on a Newport history site that says the SS CRAGPOOL had engine defects off the West African coast and straggled but was watched over by HMS LONDONDERRY. The brief article stated that the Cragpool got over her difficulties and proceeded to BUENOS AIRES. The report was from a crew member on the CRAGPOOL and given to the history site in the late 80s. My late father was 1st radio officer on the CRAGPOOL IN 1942 hence my interest.
I cannot be certain but as far as I can make out in my amateur research the CRAGPOOL had engine defects on the outward convoy ON78 after the convoy dispersed. After stops at MONTEVIDEO , SAN NICOLAS she discharged her coal cargo at BUENOS AIRES before loading wheat at Montevideo. She sailed east to FREETOWN leaving there on the 5 July 1942 in convoy SL115. On this convoy she straggled on 15 July but that is as much as I know.
The sloop HMS LONDONDERRY was an escort on this convoy and my research shows Cragpool had made two previous voyages with coal to S. America but on neither was HMS Londonderry on escort duties in that area. Can anyone throw any more light on the the conflicting accounts. The article says the incident happened on the outward convoy, my view is that is was on the homeward convoy SL115. It is one of those things that you just have to find out the correct version, keeps me busy in my retirement if nothing else.
Regards to all,
David Whitfield

[Captain Kong]

Hi David,
here are two photos of the CRAGPOOL, also a photo of some of the crew, at the time.
of Ropners Cheers
Brian

- - - Updated - - -

Hi David,
here are two photos of the CRAGPOOL, one of Ropners Shipping Co. It is all on google about the company
. From Newport Museum...........
.
Later during the war the convoy system improved and ships were better protected by naval escorts. Nevertheless the dangers were still considerable and a lone ship unable to keep-up with the convoy was in perilous danger. Gaer man Henry Kelly, recalls his ship the Cragpool taking coal to Montevideo.


The Cragpool
Photo © National Museum of Wales.
'We broke down a few times and off the coast of Africa were nursed by the cruiser Londonderry. Eventually, we were told to leave the convoy as we were endangering the other ships. Left alone we continued to break down but incredibly we made it to South America.'


Henry Kelly's shipmates aboard the CRAGPOOL
Survival

Cheers
Brian

[David Whitfield]

Hello Brian,
Many thanks for the CRAGPOOL photos, I have the first but not the second. The two quotes from Henry Kelly especially the second is where the quandary lies. The reference regarding HMS LONDONDERRY (she was an escort on the inbound convoy SL 115 but not the outbound ON78). It is difficult isn`t it.
Regards David

[Red Lead Ted]

Hi Dave, Follow the link mate and check out all the blogs but what I did spot was this . Second from the bottom left hand side Whitfield A.W. Might help in your quest Regards Terry.

Newports War Dead - i

[Red Lead Ted]

Dave, Another 3rd Radio Officer. Whitfield, Richard George, 17/08/1943.


CWGC - Find War Dead Good Luck Terry.

[David Whitfield]

SS CRAGPOOL
The mystery deepens, I have National Archives BT/389/19 for CRAGPOOL. It is not easy to read but does say 3rd June (which was her arrival date in Montevideo according to Arnold Hague Ports Database) that she had "engine defects". However the movement card also shows 11th July "repairs". The 11th of July was 5 days after she left on convoy SL 115 from Freetown. Fascinating stuff eh.
Best Wishes to all
David

[Hugh]

Hello David,
Movement cards are notoriously difficult to read. They were written by BoT clerks and mistakes and omissions commonplace. You may find more accurate data in the ship's official logbook - narrative section. Also on page 20/21 the dates of sailing and departure were recorded. Masters of vessels were told not to record this information but most of the logs I have seen do record these dates. The official logbook for 1942, including the crew agreement, will be held at Kew in BT 381/2024. Best to visit Kew to view.

Regards
Hugh

[Red Lead Ted]

SS CRAGPOOL
The mystery deepens, I have National Archives BT/389/19 for CRAGPOOL. It is not easy to read but does say 3rd June (which was her arrival date in Montevideo according to Arnold Hague Ports Database) that she had "engine defects". However the movement card also shows 11th July "repairs". The 11th of July was 5 days after she left on convoy SL 115 from Freetown. Fascinating stuff eh.
Best Wishes to all
David

Dave, do you have his discharge book number, The ship that George Whitfield perished The M.V. Empire Stanley was torpedoed of the coast of Madagascar she was unescorted when U-Boat 197 sunk her with 2 torpedoes, Out of a ships company of 54 / 25 lost there lives note on the plate at Tower Hill the 2nd Radio Officer also perished could it be that the SS Cragpool was laid up and your father joined the Empire Stanley as 3rd radio officer the dates you have supplied it cant be ruled out it was him. Terry

CWGC - Casualty Details

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?15622

[David Whitfield]

Hello Hugh,
Yes you are dead right the cards are awful to read, I have quite a few for my fathers ships. Thank you for the BT number, they are very difficult to understand, a bit disappointing when you have paid money for them. About two years ago I did a file of my fathers service, one for every family member. Now I am trying to get even more details and information not just for Dads memory but it has always been a favourite interest of mine.
Regards David

[Hugh]

I presume you have his service records David?

Regards
Hugh