SS Eaglescliffe Hall - World War II Service

World War II Service

On the outbreak of war she was fitted to cross the Atlantic to support the merchant navy in British waters. She joined the ill-fated convoy SC-7 which sailed from Sydney, Nova Scotia on 5 October 1940. She was carrying a cargo of timber. The poorly escorted convoy came under heavy u-boat attack, and a number of the ships were sunk. Eaglescliffe Hall was straggling behind the main convoy and was able to pick up survivors from the torpedoed Greek merchant SS Aenos. She safely reached port.

She was soon busy on a number of local convoys, including trips from Seaham to London, carrying coal for the London power stations. Whilst at anchor off Sunderland on 10 August 1941 the Eaglescliffe Hall was attacked by German bombers. One bomb fell into the hold but did not detonate, the second hit the side and fell into the water. A third bomb struck the engine room, killing two people, including the chief engineer, and wounding several others. The Eaglescliffe Hall was towed to Sunderland on 13 August and from there to the Tyne on 20 August for repairs. Eaglescliffe Hall again found herself in trouble later that year, when the Sheringham lifeboat Foresters' Centenary had to rescue 15 men from her on 29-30 October 1941. The lifeboat's coxwain, a man named Dumble, was awarded the RNLI's Bronze Medal for the rescue.