Convoy SC 7 - The First Attacks

The First Attacks

The convoy sailed on Saturday 5 October 1940. On the first day, one ship, the SS Winona dropped out with mechanical trouble, and had to return.

As bad weather set in on the 11th, several ships became separated, and were forced to sail independently. One of these, the SS Trevisa, was a small Canadian Laker of 1,813 tons with a cargo of lumber destined for Scotland. She was sighted by U-124 on the 16th and sunk. Another, the Greek freighter SS Aenos was seen by U-38, and sunk on 17th; but SS Eaglescliff Hall, another Laker, avoided this fate, and was able to rescue survivors from Aenos, before arriving safely at Rothesay on the 19th. A fourth straggler regained the convoy on the 15th.

On the 17th as the convoy entered the Western Approaches Scarborough was joined by the sloop Fowey and the new corvette Bluebell. Later that day they were sighted by U-48, which attacked, sinking two ships including the tanker Languedoc. Scarborough counter-attacked, driving U-48 deep so she was unable to shadow or report. However the attack was prolonged unwisely, and the convoy moved so far ahead Scarborough was unable to rejoin.

On the 18th SC 7 was joined by the sloop Leith, and the corvette Heartsease, and Leith assumed command. Later that day U-38, sighted the convoy and attacked, damaging SS Carsbreck. Leith and Heartsease attacked without success, though U-38 was driven off, and Heartsease was detailed to escort Carsbreck home, weakening the escort further.