Convoy Logs (1)

LIBERTY SHIP CONVOY LOGS
Although this convoy was sailing in a post-war environment, the elaborate routine in setting up for departure and the escorts assigned to shepherd the convoy during Atlantic crossing is but a sample of what must have gone on when German submarines were prowling the seas. It is believed that this ship was the SS Monticello which arrived in New York City harbor on 6 June 1945 with at least 10 508ers identified thus far as passengers.
21 May 1945. Zone time (minus 2). Anchored in the outer anchorage off Le Havre, France as before, and operating under orders of Port Director, 1st Naval District Orders PD-45-45 of 9 May 1945. At 0707 underway and moored to Pontoon Pier #1, Le Havre, France at 0819. At 1005 commenced disembarking U.S. Army troops and completed at 1118, having disembarked 20 officers and 322 enlisted men. At 1526 commenced embarking troops and passengers. 22 May 1945. Zone time (minus 2). Moored to Pontoon Pier #1, Le Havre, France, and operating under the verbal orders of the U.S. Navy Port Director, Le Havre, France. At 1822 completed embarking troops and passengers having embarked 1446 U.S. Army officers, 30 French Naval officers, 3353 enlisted men, 16 civilians, and 2 U.S. Army nurses. At 2157 underway from Pontoon Pier #1, Le Havre, France in accordance with orders of the Port Director, Le Havre, France dated 22 May 1945. At 2300 Convoy VWP-63 formed in single column, 5 ships escorted by HMS CROIX DE LORRAINE, HMS WATCHMAN, and HMS KINGSMILL. The Senior Officer of Escort aboard HMS CROIX DE LORRAINE. Convoy Commodore Captain J.W.W. Cunning aboard U.S.S. LE JEUNE (AP74). U.S.S. MONTICELLO (AP61) guide of convoy. 23 May 1945. Zone time (minus 2). Steaming in Convoy VWP-63, and escorted by 3 British escorts, and operating under orders of the Port Director, Le Havre France, of 22 May 1945. From 0130 to 0428 zig zagged in accordance with plan #10. At 0853 moored to Berth 104, Southampton, England. At 1201 commenced embarking troops and passengers. At 1303 disembarked 2 officers and 15 enlisted men of the 754th Medical Hospital Ship Platoon. At 1500 completed embarking all troops and passengers having embarked the following: 30 U.S. Army officers, 392 U.S. Army enlisted men, 3 U.S. Coast Guard enlisted men, 5 civilians, two of which are members of Congress of the United States, the Honorable Ned R. Healy, and the Honorable Charles Savage, 775 U.S. Navy enlisted men, and 63 U.S. Naval officers, 1 Netherlands Marine Officer, 262 Netherlands Marines enlisted men. 24 May 1945. Zone time (minus 2). Moored to Berth #104, Southampton, England, and operating under the verbal orders of the U.S. Naval Port Director, Southampton, England. At 0730 underway from Berth #104, Southampton, England, in accordance with sailing instructions for Convoy UC-69 from Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England dated 23 May 1945. At 0920 anchored in Area 22, The Solent, awaiting convoy sailing time. At 1055 underway from Area 22, The Solent, in company with 9 ships in single column escorted by U.S.S. MARTIN H. RAY (DE338), U.S.S. DALE W. PETERSON (DE337), and U.S.S. ROY O. HALE (DE336). Convoy Commodore, Captain J.W.W. Cummings, aboard U.S.S. MONTICELLO (AP61). Senior Officer of Escort aboard the U.S.S. MARTIN H. RAY (DE338). At 1338 in latitude 5O°-3O,N., longitude l°-09W, the South end section joined the convoy and took station on the port side. Convoy UC-69 now composed of 16 ships in 6 columns. Position: 1200: Lat. 50°-43N; Long. l°-01’W. 2000: Lat. 5O°-15’N; Long. 3°-21,W. [ Jumpmaster Note: The Solent is the strait that separates the Isle of Wight from the mainland of England]	25 May 1945. Zone time (minus 2). Steaming in Convoy UC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England of 23 May 1945. At 1627 Irish Sea section, comprising 9 ships in 3 columns escorted by U.S.S. EDSALL (DE129), U.S.S. DANIEL (DE355), and U.S.S. STEWART (DE238), joined the convoy and took station on the starboard side. At 1900 retarded all ship’s clocks one (1) hour to zone time (minus 1). Position: 0800: Lat. 49°-49’N; Long. 7°-21’W. 1200: Lat. 49°-54’N; Long. 8?-38’W. 2000: Lat. 49°-17'N; Long.llo-26W. 26 May 1945 • Zone time (minus 1).* Steaming in Convoy UC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England of 23 May 1945. At 2400 retarded all ship’s clocks one (1) hour to zone time (0). Position: 0800: Lat. 47°-41’N; Long. 15°-15fW. 1200: Lat. 47°-07,N; Long. 16°-08’W. 2000: Lat. 46°-05,N; Long. 18°-27'W. 27 May 1945 • Zone time (minus 1). Steaming in Convoy UC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England of 23 May 1945. At 2400 retarded all ship’s clocks one (1) hour to zone time (plus 1). Position: 0800: Lat. 44°-21’N; Long. 22°-18’W. 1200: Lat. 43°-35lN; Long. 23°-17’W. 2000 Lat. 42°-34’N; Long. 25°-29’W. 28 May 1945. Zone time (plus 1). Steaming in Convoy UC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England of 23 May 1945. At 2400 retarded all ship’s clocks one (1] hour to zone time (plus 2). Position; 0800: Lat. 41°-53,N; Long. 29°-39’W. 1200: Lat. 41°-36’N; Long. 31°-O9’W. 2000: Lat. 41°-15’N; Long. 33°-47’W. 29 May 1945. Zone time (plus 2). Steaming in Convoy UC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, England of 23 May 1945. Position: 0800: Lat.400-45N; Long. 37°-57’W. 1200. Lat.400-39’N; Long. 39°-13’W. 2000 Lat.400-19’N; Long. 41°-44,W. 30 May 1945. Zone time (plus 2).* Steaming in Convoy TIC-69, escorted by Task Group 61.5, under orders of Naval Control Service Officer, Southampton, Efland of 23 May 1945. At 2400 retarded all ship’s clocks one (1) hour to zone time (plus 3). Position: 0800: Lat. 39°-51*N; Long. 45°-22’W. 1200: Lat. 39°-45’N; Long. 46°-51’W. 2000: Lat. 39-29’N; Long. 49°-07’W.
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