Date of Arrival

Place

Date of Departure

Remarks, Orders etc

1.1.42

Scapa

4.1.42

8/1 HALCYON starboard shaft considerably distorted. Consider unwise to sail her with PQ8. Propose she should return to Scapa sailing with RU5 9/1

Delayed owing to storm damage ?? by ship dragging on to Reykjavik ??

16/1: Sustained serious structural damage requiring dockyard repairs. HALCYON cannot proceed with PQ9. Temporary repairs will be undertaken by Hecla in about one week.

Iceland

27.1.42

30.1.42

Scapa

30.1.42

31.1.42

Aberdeen

22.5.42

HALCYON has been taken in hand at Aberdeen for repairs. Estimated time required 5 weeks. Anticipated date of completion 19/3

Completes 30/3
Completes 14/4
Completes 25/4
Completes 9/5

23.5.42

Scapa

23.6.42

23.6.42

On 23 June SALAMANDER, HALCYON and BRITOMART departed Scapa Flow escorting the RFA GREY RANGER to Hvalfjord.

26.6.42

HALCYON left Reykjavik with Britomart and Salamander as part of the escort for PQ17. The minesweepers (with some other escorts) ringed the convoy at 3,000 yards range, closing to 1,000 yards when air attack was imminent. They were also in a position to investigate U boat activity.
 

This Diary has kindly been contributed to the site by Pauline Maslen, wife of LSBA William Maslen and remains her copyright. Please do not reproduce any part of this Diary without prior permission

The WWII diary of William Fred Maslen.
D/MX 71123 LSBA. (Leading sick berth attendant)

Russian Convoy. PQ 17   HMS Halcyon.1942. 

Arrived Scapa Flow to join ship Saturday 20th June 1942. Arrived on board 1700. Saw the captain at Divisions on Sunday. He wished to see me in his cabin. He apologised for me being here; discussion on medical stores. 

Monday 22nd. Went to HMS Tyne for medical stores, but had to get them at Dunbar Castle very few obtained. 

Tuesday 23^rd. Prepared for sea 1700. Took a tanker to Iceland, Reykjavik, arrived Friday 1400. Saw a SBA (sick berth attendant) with marines. 

Saturday 27th. 0700. Proceeded to sea. Convoy to Russia / Archangel.  

Ice scraping along ship Sunday night. Very cold. 

Monday 29th. Very quiet day. One merchant ship turned back. 

Tuesday 30th. Two MPs (merchant packets) lost. One on rocks, one turned back - Hole in bows. Joined up with big boys. Weather rough and very cold. 

Wednesday 1st July. Very quiet until evening except for jerry reconnaissance and in the evening contacted subs only a little way away. Charges dropped couldn't see anything. 

Thursday 2nd. Quiet night ‑ but destroyer chasing surfaced subs all night. Enemy flying boat circling convoy about 10 o'clock ‑ reconnaissance planes shadowed us all day‑ torpedo attack by 6 planes PM, but unsuccessful. Mist came in 2000‑ light all night, no darkness. Expecting big attack tomorrow. "Grey Ranger" and "Douglas" retired to Iceland. 

Friday 3rd. Quiet throughout the day. Walrus plane came over about 1700 ‑ then jerry reconnaissance plane and there was a scrap between them, Walrus came towards convoy but jerry wouldn't come in. Towed the Walrus all night. Lost merchant packet through torpedo attack during night, most of the crew saved‑ our sub finished off M P.

 Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

4.7.42

0452 a merchantman was torpedoed by a single Heinkel

2020 25+ He111’s and Ju88’s attacked the convoy badly damaging two ships such that HALCYON and Britomart were ordered to sink them.

2136 Convoy ordered to scatter. Britomart and HALCYON were ordered to sail with Palomares. 

At 11 pm the anti-aircraft ship Palomares (Captain J H Jauncey) as senior escort vessel after Keppel’s departure, merely signalled all the escorts, ‘Scatter and proceed independently’; but some time later she realised that in scattering the escort she had left herself as denuded of anti-submarine protection as the merchant ships: she signalled the minesweeper Britomart, seven miles to the north of her, the one word ‘Close’ and then, ten minutes later, the instructions, ‘Take station on my port beam, one mile. Course 077°, 11 1/2 knots.’ Soon after the Palomares ordered the minesweeper HALCYON to take station on her other beam. Britomart’s Lieutenant Commander Stamwitz afterwards observed, ‘It seemed wrong that my anti-submarine minesweeper was being used only to escort a heavily armed anti-aircraft ship. But Palomares seemed more concerned with the safe passage of his ship than the merchant ships. The anti-submarine vessels were of course afforded excellent AA protection in this way.

Source: The Destruction of Convoy PQ17 – David Irving 

Saturday 4th. Day started very well, all quiet‑ apparently the peace before the storm. Hell on Earth in the afternoon and evening. Six torpedo seaplanes came over first but the barrage was too much for them and they made off. But later 38 torpedo bombers came in and there was no stopping them. Two dive bombers helped in the attack. Considering the force that came over we did remarkably well, losing 2 merchant packets and 1 oiler damaged. News came that the von Tirpitz was drawing near so the convoy had to scatter ‑ all destroyers and cruisers made off, making an impressive battle fleet, to intercept. All ships in convoy had to find their individual way to Archangel. Weather much brighter during night and day. Very calm.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

5.7.42

Following the order to scatter, Britomart and HALCYON joined by Zamalek and Pozarica headed towards Novaya Zemlya.

Salamander (Lt Mottram) steamed east with Zaafaran, Ocean Freedom and Aldersdale. Later that afternoon this group was attacked by four Ju88’s. Aldersdale, whose cargo included aviation spirit, was hit by a stick of bombs and Salamander went close to evacuate the crew.  Zaafaran was then hit by bombs. On seeing this from miles astern her sister ship, Zamalek, headed towards her to pick up survivors, taking Britomart as anti-submarine protection. All but one of Zaarafan’s crew and passengers were picked up. Zamalek, Ocean Freedom and Britomart now proceeded after Palomares and HALCYON while astern of them, Salamander, having abandoned her attempts to finish off Aldersdale, strove to catch up.

Sunday 5th. Going NE all the time, almost up to the N Pole. Shadowing plane still around. 700 miles from NP. Dive bombers attacked at noon but were driven off by Britomart and AA ship, rescue ship and M Packet. Dive bomber attacked ship on horizon, it sank in about 15 minutes. We went to help and pick up survivors but R (rescue) ship was coming up so we did asdic sweep. Planes around all day. Salamander came up from astern about 2100. Panic on board, we thought it was a raider. No wireless all trip but just heard that M ship got finished.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

6.7.42

W/T reports were received warning that a German destroyer was in the area. Shortly after midnight on the 5^th/6^th a mast head was seen on the horizon closing rapidly. HALCYON prepared for action, spliced the mainbrace and opened fire at 0100. Shortly afterwards signals were seen coming from the mast indicating that the ship was in fact Salamander. She too had received the same report and was returning at top speed (17 knots, faster than her design speed of 15 knots, which may have led HALCYON to believing her to be the destroyer) from rescuing survivors of Aldersdale.

Later that day Britomart was sent around Cape Stolbovoi to make contact with the Russians at Lagerni, explaining (with some diffculty) that the ships wanted the haven of an anchorage. That afternoon, Palomares (towing the out of fuel walrus aircraft from HMS Norfolk), Britomart, HALCYON and Salamander, the crowded rescue ship Zamalek and the single merchant ship Ocean Freedom dropped anchor. HALCYON at this stage had used half of her four inch shells and was very low on fuel. At a conference of the commanding officers, the Arctic expertise of the minesweepers’ officers was accepted that they should not attempt to break out east into the Kara Sea on account of ice. (The aircraft was refuelled and confirmed the impossibility of this idea).

Shortly afterwards they were joined by Pozarica, Poppy and La Malouine. Although it was not known if the surface threat had receded, La Malouine was sent to render assistance to any merchantmen she could find. She returned that evening with four ships, Hoosier, Samuel Chase, El Capitan and Benjamin Harrison, that struggled through the deteriorating weather to the anchorage. Shortly before midnight, Lotus, her decks crowded with survivors steamed into the anchorage to a chorus of cheers. 

Monday 6th. Very quiet night, good weather this AM. A little swell. We have to sweep going into channel between islands 1100. Sweep not done, anchored and awaiting further instructions. Reported White Sea, closed up. Jerry destroyer‑ we may make a dash for it. Tonight Jimmy gave a speech. Excellent weather.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

7.7.42

At dawn on 7th July three trawlers, Lord Austin, Lord Middleton and Northern Gem arrived, desperately short of steam coal. They replenished from Ocean Freedom.

At a conference aboard Palomares concerns were expressed that the anchorage could quickly turn from haven to trap if they were discovered. The merchant Masters wanted to wait for more naval support and rely on their massive AA firepower to protect them until it arrived.  It was decided to sail and a message was passed to the SBNO Archangel via the Russians radio station.

At 1900, Lotus led the 14 ships out, running into fog which sent one of the merchantmen back.

Tuesday 7th. Weather fine ‑ wind very strong. Novaya Zembla ‑ awaiting decision to carry on. Skipper of HM ship refuses to go on further without an air escort. Visibility moderate. 50‑50 chance getting through with it. Left N Z at 1700, seems to be taking a chance ‑ same way as we came in. 16 ships in all. 14 survivors taken aboard from Salamander.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

8.7.42

At 1630 the ships encountered an extensive ice field which broke up the convoy’s cohesion as for several hours they blundered about. Zamalek became stuck on an ice ridge for some hours. El Capitan found a boat with 19 survivors from the John Witherspoon.

Wednesday 8th. July. Very quiet night. some wind, fog thick. Clearer at noon. Possibility of submarines loafing convoy. OK so far‑ Catalina and 2 destroyers meeting us. More pack ice than that ‑ miles of it ‑ still going through ice all day. Lost most of ships in fog.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

9.7.42

In the early hours, Britomart, HALCYON and Lotus broke out of the fog and ice, sighting Samuel Chase, Ocean Freedom, Lord Middleton and Northern Gem.

Some 40 miles ahead, Salamander, El Capitan, Hoosier, Lord Austin, Poppy, La Malouine, Zamalek, Palomares and Pozarica also regained clear weather and, yet again miraculously, sighted the remaining 29 survivors from John Witherspoon who had been adrift in two boats for three days.

At 1100 a ‘small convoy’ (the ‘Palomares group’) was reported by the Germans and three U boats homed in on it. Aware it was being trailed, no attempt could be made to detach ships to put the sub down because of an acute shortage of fuel. This convoy was forced west by the ice and was now steaming south-west (towards the enemy airfields in Norway) in sunshine with 20 miles visibility and light winds. Forty Ju88’s appeared and moved in from different directions while U255 observed from astern. Three bombs damaged Hoosier and she was abandoned, the crew being rescued by La Malouine. With ammunition stocks becoming very low, Russian air cover was requested but no fighters appeared.

Thursday 9th. Six ships with us altogether this AM. 2 trawlers, 2 merchants, 2 sweepers. Still dodging some ice. Weather good ‑ sunny ‑ visibility good. Sub scare at 10 o'clock ‑ washout. Weather became misty ‑ clearing again at night. Jerry plane sighted during night. Bombs seen to drop around merchant ship ‑ nothing seen after.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

10.7.42

0200 El Capitan damaged by near misses from bombs but continued her journey.

0400 Near misses stopped Zamalek’s engines but no ships were sent back to her. She made good repairs and chased after the convoy.

0600 A lone Ju88 stopped El Capitan with a near miss, her crew being rescued by Lord Austin.

1230 Two Russian destroyers joined and led the remaining ships of the ‘Palomares group’ into Gourlo where they headed for the River Dvina, securing alongside at Archangel at 1600.

Friday 10th. Weather fine ‑ visibility moderate becoming excellent later. The worst day of all as far as I was concerned, everyone began to get very nervy and it just about wound me up. We thought everything was OK when we saw a Russian single engine flying boat come around but it wasn't long before we had jerry dive bombers at us. It was "hell". Gun crews closed up from 0700 until 2000. First attack by dive bombers at 0915 and throughout the day at intervals. One merchant ship of the two we were escorting got damaged by a near miss and we took her in tow. She repaired damage in about 3 hours and we cast off, only just in time as the dive bombers came soon after. The Halcyon shot down one plane during an early attack. When most of the attack was over, two of the sweepers came out from Archangel to escort us in, plus 1 destroyer. We got our two M P's in safely but the ack ack ship lost their M P's. Night passed fairly quiet.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

11.7.42

1100 Sixteen Ju88’s attacked the second group of Samuel Chase, Ocean freedom, Lotus, HALCYON, Britomart, Lord Middleton and Northern Gem. The attack lasted 90 minutes, brining the Samuel Chase to a standstill. The group now split into two. Britomart and Northern Gem escorted Ocean Freedom while HALCYON took the Samuel Chase in tow and Lord Middleton provided anti-submarine cover.

The Samuel Chase was in serious difficulty. Just after passing Cape Kanin, HALCYON came upon her drifting helplessly. Her master signalled: 'Two direct hits, three near misses, main steam line broken. Shall we abandon ship?' He replied 'Do not abandon ship - we will take you in tow.' There then followed a very fine piece of seamanship. The minesweeper had reciprocating engines, which enabled her to pull a considerable weight. Very efficiently a strong tow was shot over to Samuel Chase and HALCYON gradually increased engine revolutions and both screws began to thrust; the merchantman began to move. The two vessels made a steady five knots south to the White Sea, ready to cut clear if they should be attacked, until after some hours, the Americans, fired no doubt by the example of the little 1,000 ton sweeper, managed to get their engines going again and finish the journey under their own steam. In recognition of HALCYON's assistance the master of the Samuel Chase asked that the minesweeper be allowed to escort him into harbour, which she did.  

Source: PQ17 Convoy to Hell by Paul Lund and Harry Ludlum

Both groups continued to fight off attacks with Ocean Freedom being damaged by a near miss but not stopped. In the late afternoon, Russian hurricanes at last provided air cover, Hazard and Leda hove into view and two Russian minesweepers joined, taking the weary convoy in to Archangel.

The survivors from the Honomu were rescued by HALCYON, Salamander and Hazard in remarkable circumstances:

‘One of the most dramatic rescues was made high up in the Barents Sea by Salamander and HALCYON, along with a third minesweeper, Hazard. A Russian Catalina out on patrol had spotted three rafts and radioed back their position with an estimate of the direction on which they would drift. The three sweepers were sent out from Archangel to find them. They were given nine days for the search as they were needed for minesweeping work. This gave them three days to reach the area, three days to look for the rafts, and three days to return. 

On reaching the area of search the three ships found perfect weather but the first twenty-four hours of vigilance slipped fruitlessly by and everyone was beginning to feel disheartened. 'What sort of fools errand is this?' was the question asked on HALCYON. Every man was badly strained and tired after the activities of the past two weeks; no one had had more than four hours sleep for what seemed years. However, they were fortunate in having absolute quiet for their search on the sunlit sea, for no U-boat echoed on the asdics, no bomber marred the blue sky. As they got back into regular routine men's spirits rose and they began to take an interest.

In the afternoon that began the third day of the box search the atmosphere was tense. The night hours passed quietly, the sun just on the horizon shedding on the ripples of the sea a path of crinkling gold liquid. It was an eerie scene and there was a sudden inexplicable feeling that they might find the lost seamen after all. This despite the fact that the survivors had been afloat for thirteen days, and the minesweepers were only going on calculations made a week before by the Russian pilot. Though they were tackling the impossible, excitement mounted and hopes rose as the short time grew shorter.  

But at 7.30 a.m. the black Arctic fog descended. This seemed the end. Their time was up at noon and they were helpless in the fog. All they could do now was to feel their way and hope. At 8.15 a.m. on HALCYON there was the usual anti-freeze routine on the guns, a few test rounds being fired by each. Now, all those not on watch below came and stood shivering on the upper deck, either cursing the fog or silently praying for it to rise. Sometimes it would lift just enough to let them see Salamander, but not Hazard which lay 200 yards farther off. At 11 a.m. the coxswain served the rum and all went below for their tot, then returned. There was no argument or lively banter as usual, just a strained silence.

HALCYON's captain had ordered the Very pistols fired. He now sent the signal for the last lap. For this last half hour everyone lined the rails, watching waiting, praying; and at a quarter to twelve, just fifteen minutes to go, a miracle happened. The fog lifted. First they saw Salamander, and then Hazard's ghostly shape appeared. A faint cheer sounded - or was it their overstretched imagination? No, it was not, for right between each ship was a raft crammed with men waving weakly. They began to shout 'God Save the King! We knew you would save us'. They had heard the gunfire and paddled wearily towards it.

The sweepers dropped their scrambling nets. On Salamander a seaman missed with his first attempt to throw a line to one of the rafts. 'Limey', said a cracked and dry voice, 'I have been on this raft for thirteen days and could do better than that!' After taking thirteen men from one raft - there were more than thirty survivors in all from S.S. Honomu - Salamander moved off to drop depth charges in case a U-boat was near. Aboard HALCYON the survivors were too weak, and their feet too swollen, to stand, but otherwise they were in surprisingly good shape; from the first day they had taken turns at four hours on the paddles and four off, and during the off period had washed their deadening feet with salt water. Only a coloured man who would not do this later lost part of his foot with frostbite. The U-boat which sank Honomu had surfaced on the third and sixth days of their ordeal, giving them more water.’  

Source: PQ17 Convoy to Hell by Paul Lund and Harry Ludlum

Saturday 11th. Fairly good weather, a few showers during the morning, the first for the whole trip. Arrived at base here almost 14 days to the hour to the time we left Iceland (1700). 5 ships are all that are definitely safe. Oiled right away. A buzz that we are leaving for Murmansk tomorrow. 

Sunday 12th. Prepared to go to sea with one rescue ship to pick up survivors from Trinidad and Edinburgh at Murmansk ‑ 1600 but leaks developed in our sides. Shore leave granted in the evening ‑ we went to dance in football ground. I met a Russian lady doctor and 2 men ‑ quite interesting conversation. Wanted me to dance but music was too slow for us ‑ no one could dance to it. Was awakened at 0630 and told that all survivors were coming aboard to go to Archangel ‑ 3 serious cases. Ship was packed ‑ no mishaps. 

Monday 13th. Weather good ‑ tied up at jetty ‑ expected to go to sea at 1600 but postponed until further orders. Took "Sabu" to RANC H.Q. for dental trouble ‑ given pot permanganate. Ashore in the evening. Went to opera and dance ‑ variety show ‑ very good but dancing too slow steps ‑ quite good looking girls. Didn't get off.

Tuesday 14th. Weather good ‑ tied up at jetty ‑ preparing for sea at noon ‑ Murmansk for survivors ‑ rescue ship ‑ only do 6 knots?? about turning back ‑ bad coal. Met the Bramble just coming in. Turned back about 2300 ‑ just getting alongside quay with rescue ship when orders came for us H and S to proceed to sea to pick up survivors 360 miles N of Murmansk. 

Wednesday 15th. Proceeding on rescue work ‑ fairly quiet throughout the day ‑weather good ‑ calm. No scares, all quiet. 

Thursday 16th. Quiet night ‑ passed Corvette going in with survivors ‑ weather fine ‑swell on ‑ expecting to see Cantilena ‑ should sight survivors during morning watch. 

Friday 17th. Survivors not seen. Weather ‑ cloudy , misty. Proceeded to search area all day, but couldn't see anything. 

Saturday 18th. Intend to search until 1600 for survivors and then return ‑ we have very little hope of picking them up as fog is so thick. About 1245 floats were sighted (4 altogether) survivors went mad with excitement ‑ had been out 13 days on rafts ‑ one said "I knew they would come, God save the King." They were in excellent condition (15 in all), 5 officers, 10 ratings, 6 were black. Some were frost bitten.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

19.7.42

Kola Inlet

21.7.42

With 21 survivors from Honomu

….including the other guests seated round the table, especially the commanders of such of the First and Sixth Flotillas of fleet minesweepers which happened to be alongside at that moment. All those who found themselves chance neighbours so far from home had come in a body to pay their respects and sign their names in the visitors' book of the Pozarica's Captain, and I was looking through the book the other day to make sure who had been there that evening ‑ Lt. H. J. Hall, Lotus ... Lt. Boyd,Poppy . . . Lt. Rankin, Dianella . . . Lt. Bidwell, La... Lt. Wathen, Lord Austin ... Banning, Rathlin, Master and one of them had added “PQ17, Novaya Zemlya, and Ekonomia, and quite enough!" ‑ but, in the end, after much reminiscent search, I could only be certain that the three signatures which came to mean most to me personally during our incarceration in North Russia were those of the commanders of the Leda, HALCYON, and Hazard.

Three very different types of men: Seymour of Hazard, who had just been awarded his brass hat, possessing an aquiline profile and a passion for the R.N. that made his ship a model of efficiency and his manner at first slightly intimidating till one came to appreciate that if you are compelled by Service obligations to spend years of your life, first in China, then in North Russia, it is as well to adopt a creed of self‑sufficiency: Wynne‑Edwards, ruddy cheeked, hospitable, warm‑hearted, whose ship, Leda, became such a second home to me out there that I cannot even now think of her and her crew without my heart contracting: and finally Corbett‑Singleton of HALCYON, like a huge sheep‑dog with a shy, sleepy manner, that did not prevent him from winning a double D.S.C. in the course of the war, or from sending ‑ a lightning flash of relieving humour - my favourite signal of the whole voyage. Just as the news had been passed from ship to ship that our convoy had to scatter, he hoisted, "Now I know what the Itie fleet feel like!"

Now I know myself, because I have made it my concern to sort it all out, something of the exploits of these two flotillas that first became discs on the operational maps when they commenced their shuttle service, accompanying the second convoy to make the trip through the Barents Sea. That was in October, 1941, the flotilla leader, Bramble, was there, and from that time on no convoy made the journey either way without at least two or three of this small group as part of their escort the whole voyage. I, think it was only when I found myself, later, a member of the crew of the Cumberland serving in those same waters, in winter, that I became in the least degree cognizant of what it must have been like for ships, by comparison so tiny, facing exactly the same hazards, with an inevitably minute proportion of the same resources to combat not only the ravages of the weather but all the other dangers that surrounded them.

Extracts from ‘PQ17’ by Godfrey Winn who travelled to North Russia aboard HMS Pozarica 

Sunday 19th. Kept awake all night ‑ not too much trouble ‑ all feet redressed ‑ one collapsed when on way to heads. All eating better going into Murmansk. Polyarnoe arr. 1600. 

Monday 20th. All patients were unloaded and taken to hospital last night. We were told that we were going to take survivors and 6 stretcher cases back to Archangel on Tuesday. Shore leave granted at Polyarnoe from 1650 ‑ 2300. Pictures and football matches, Arthur Askey. Very nice place, like Seaton. Russian destroyer in. 

Tuesday 21st. Patients taken on board at 1400 ‑ 6 in number, pretty good lot, some amputations. 20 survivors taken aboard at O Veinga ‑ no scares. 

Wednesday 22nd. Halcyon, Salamander, 4 sub chasers and 3 merchant ships on way to Archangel ‑ no scares. Weather very misty ‑ mist came on thicker at night and we had to drop anchor for the night. 

Thursday 23rd. Still at anchor waiting for fog to clear. Fog cleared about 1030 ‑weighed anchor and on way. One merchantman broke down. Salamander stopped with her and we went on with the others. 

Friday 24th. 0700 at entrance to river arrived and oiled ‑ tender came along side and took all survivors ‑ we tied up at wood piles ‑ leave allowed along jetty.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

24.7.42

Archangel

9.8.42

Saturday 25th. At the wood piles all quiet ‑ leave granted to go to Archangel 1400‑2315. Had big eats at International club. Sturgeons roe ‑ raw salmon ‑ smocked fish ‑black bread. 

Sunday 26th. Stand up prayer on Q deck. Captain cleared lower deck ‑ congratulated all on their work ‑ predicted that we wouldn't do much sea time. Went in village in the evening ‑ played snooker against Russian officers. 

Monday 27th. All quiet ‑ rain at noon ‑ mosquitoes biting ‑ very close.

Tied up alongside wood piles for approximately 2 weeks. Boiler cleaned etc. Plenty of sport organised. I was 2nd in marathon race and 3rd out of 5 in boat race between tiffy's of each ship. Leave granted to Archangel very often but no use going as there was nothing to buy and no eats.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

2.8.42

A great morale booster for us while we lay alongside, came after a get-together of the officers from the fleet sweepers, and the three trawlers to help to try and get rid of the boredom that was creeping gradually over us all, both officers and men alike. They came up with the idea of holding inter-ship sports of various kinds; in some of the sports the trawlers were classed as one ship, the men from all three who wished to take part putting their names down for any type of sport which took their fancy, and were then chosen for a team to represent us all. This made for great rivalry, and despite the weather, we enjoyed some good sport and fun, either by taking part, or by just watching and cheering the teams on to do their best aided by some ribald comments.

The Northern Gem's own newspaper, the Sunday Buzz, Vol 1. No 1, for Sunday 2nd August 1942, gives this story and the following list of results:-

Sports. . . Despite inclement weather, we have enjoyed some good sport during the past week, in which the trawlers have by no means disgraced themselves. For the benefit of future historians the results are summarised below. We hope that these events are only the forerunners of a series of contests, thoughtfully provided to relieve the monotony of our sojourn.

Tug of War At the time of going to press this event had not been held.

Source: http://www.naval-history.net/WW2Memoir-RussianConvoyCoxswain06.htm
COXSWAIN IN THE NORTHERN CONVOYS - S.A. Kerslake published by William Kimber, 1984 

6th August. Under 1 hours sailing orders ‑ taking convoy somewhere but exercising with all sweeps first in mid stream. 

7th August. Left Archangel to test all sweeps and anchored at bar awaiting further orders. 

8th August. Anchored at bar ‑ weather good ‑ very hot ‑ tide too strong for swimming ‑ spent very peaceful day. Captain’s rounds this morning. "Leda" came out about 2100 ‑weighed anchor and went further out to sea. Awaiting convoy to come out. 

9th August. Convoy came out about 4.30, we got underway. Supposed to be going S of Novaya Zembla, convoy carrying on to Vladivostok? Right around N of Siberia. 

10th August. Weather very cold ‑ looks snowy. I was taken bad this AM. Temp 101.1. Russian destroyer with us and 4 sweepers altogether. Maine and Martin joined up as covering force. 

11th August. No incidents ‑ weather fine but cloudy. All ships going fairly well. 9 merchant ships. 

12th August. Left convoy 0400 ‑ 1 Russian trawler joined up with convoy when we left. 0430 passed 2 R trawlers on way to join up with convoy. Weather fine, some cloud. Fog at times. 

13th August. M and M stayed with us until entrance to N sea ‑ no incidents.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

14.8.42

Archangel

31.8.42

14th August. Did a sweep before going in ‑ double oropesa arrived at new berth at 1500. 

15th August. Went ashore ‑ very nice ‑ new place ‑ interesting club and dancing. Still at jetty. 

16th August. Tied up alongside ‑ no incidents. English Spitfires giving us a thrill. Godfrey Winn carne aboard for quiz contest ‑ I went ashore. 

17th August. Monday. Went ashore and had a good time ‑ big eats and plenty of Vodka. I went to a dance ‑ English music ‑ carne off 25 minutes late ‑ 1 rating drunk ‑MO was aboard when arrived ‑ down mining flat with rating. 1st Lieut report. 

18th August At sea sweeping ‑ no incidents.

19th August. At sea sweeping . Oropesa and double L. 

20th August. At sea sweeping. Oropesa. 

21st August. At sea sweeping. 

Saturday 22nd. In harbour. 

Sunday 23rd. In harbour. M.S.I. addressed us all on jetty. 

24th Monday. In harbour. First attack on Archangel by Fires ‑ new type of incendiary leaves. I was caught ashore ‑ had to stop in tram terminus.

25th August. In harbour going ashore except when duty ship ‑ saw "Manya" Russian wren. 

26th August. In harbour. 

27th Thursday. In harbour. 

28th Friday. At sea and we were paid at Archangel ‑ raided again ‑ big fires burning. Mines dropped at the bar (magnetic). 

29th Saturday. At sea sweeping. 30th Sunday. At sea sweeping. 

31st Monday. At sea ‑ double LL arrived in harbour to oil at 1900 ‑ another raid at Anchorage. 

1st September. Left oiler for naval base 0930. 

2nd Wednesday. In harbour. 

3rd September. Thursday. At sea L.L. AA Guard at night at bar. L.L. sweep 0830. 

4th Friday. Packed up L.L. 1700 stopped at bar tonight.

5th Saturday. Arrived in harbour 0900.

Sunday 6th. Divisions on forecastle. Saw "Manya" in evening ‑ brought back some spuds for mess ‑ 1 pkt fags ‑ 2 bars nutty. 

Monday 7th. Went aboard "Leda" to see M.O. ‑ was coming aboard to see other patients ‑ didn't turn up. 

Tuesday 8th. Went to sea at 0645. Sweeping with "Sally" [Salamander]. AM guard and minewatching at night. 

Wednesday 9th . Dropped a draw buoy to mark swept channel awaiting at bar for rest of day until morning ‑ went in at night. 

Thursday 10th. To sea 1200 ‑ had a farewell cheer for all the other ships that were going home with convoy ‑ double L sweep ‑ AM watch at night, weather OK. We didn't do AM watch as "Seagull" came out and we proceeded to sea. 

11th September. Double Oropesa in narrows at the bar and up the bottle neck. Asdic sweep to Cape Cannon at night. Weather OK. but much colder. 

12th Saturday. Same as Friday sweeps out 0430. 

13th Sept. Sunday. Same routine. Weather rough and misty. 

14th Sept. Same routine ‑ weather lousy ‑ much colder. 

15th Sept. At sea Oropesa. Anchored 0800 at Sosnovets Islands. Convoy passed yesterday 18 ships. Bramble, Seagull, Leda ‑ Britomart and Hazard joined up and went so far.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

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Archangel

11.9.42

QP14; PQ18

11th September. Double Oropesa in narrows at the bar and up the bottle neck. Asdic sweep to Cape Cannon at night. Weather OK. but much colder. 

12th Saturday. Same as Friday sweeps out 0430. 

13th Sept. Sunday. Same routine. Weather rough and misty. 

14th Sept. Same routine ‑ weather lousy ‑ much colder. 

15th Sept. At sea Oropesa. Anchored 0800 at Sosnovets Islands. Convoy passed yesterday 18 ships. Bramble, Seagull, Leda ‑ Britomart and Hazard joined up and went so far.

Diary of LSBA William Maslen    © Pauline Maslen MMIV

13.9.42

Britomart, HALCYON, Hazard and Salamander joined QP14 (20 ships) from Archangel as local eastern escort. The ocean escort included Bramble, Seagull (until 26/9) and Leda (sunk on 20/9).

16.9.42

HM Ships HALCYON, Hazard and Sharpshooter to be sailed from Archangel for this purpose. They passed the Dvina Bar at 0800 local time on the 16th and off Cape Gorodetski picked up two Russian Merchant vessels to be escorted to Novaya Zemlya. 

18.9.42

Britomart, HALCYON, Hazard and Salamander joined PQ18 as local eastern escort.

16th Sept. At anchor Sosnovets Islands. Gunfire at sea during night. 

17th Thursday. To sea 10 o'clock. Dep