In the early hours of November 28th 1942,
the Blue Star Company’s Empire Glade, Captain George Marmion
Duff was in a position about 840 miles north-eastward of Trinidad,
zig-zagging on her course. There was a slight easterly breeze with a
slight sea and swell, a half-moon overhead and a partially overcast sky,
with moderate visibility.
At 4.53 am, a submarine on the surface which was never seen, but must have
sighted the Empire Glade in the light of the moon and the
growing dawn, opened fire from a. position about two points on the port
bow. Her first two rounds missed but a third hit a life-raft and ignited a
number of red flares, which made the Empire Glade a still
more conspicuous target, and also carried away the main wireless aerial.
The ship, meanwhile, had started to turn away to present her stern to the
U-boat. Her officers and men had rushed to their action stations. She
mounted a 4-inch gun in he stern.
The submarine fired about 10 more rounds, a fourth shell bursting in the
wheelhouse, cutting electric light circuits, and causing the Morse lamp on
the bridge to flicker continuously. Successive hits penetrated the hull in
various other places; two in Number 2 hold near the waterline; one in
Number 3 ‘tween deck; one in the engine-room close to the waterline and
another in Number 5 lower hold.
The gunlayer, Able Seaman C. Turner, fired a round from his gun towards
the unseen enemy. But accurate shooting was impossible. All Turner could
do was to shoot at the flash of the U-boat’s gun on the off-chance of
getting somewhere near. Then, at 5.3 a.m., as the result of the hit in the
engine-room, the Empire Glade's engines suddenly stopped. At
that moment she must have seemed doomed, and would undoubtedly have been
sunk if the Chief and Second Engineers, Messrs. J. B. Parker and D. C.
Keenliside, had not gone below and got the engines running again. In five
minutes the ship was again on the move, and a little later was travelling
at full speed. Turner, the gunlayer in the stern, had used his initiative
by starting a smoke screen, which made the ship a more difficult target
and helped her to escape.
From first to last the U-boat was never sighted, and in the course of the
short engagement the Empire Glade’s cabin boy had been
killed and five men wounded. But with that single fatal casualty the ship,
with her remaining crew of 47, succeeded in making her escape.
Some people, with their ship badly hit and her engines out of action for
the time being, might have been tempted to throw up the sponge. But
Captain Duff and his people were of different mettle, and for his great
bravery and devotion to duty the Captain was awarded the George Medal and
Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
In his report the Captain specially mentioned the following: Chief
Engineer J. B. Parker and Second Engineer D. C. Keenliside for their
devotion to duty in going below under heavy fire and re-starting the
engine at a very critical moment; Chief Officer G. Roberts and Second
Officer A. C. Hender for their devotion to duty, courageous bearing and
fine organization and leadership throughout the action Able Seaman C.
Turner, for devotion to duty, efficient leadership and organization of his
guns crew, and for his initiative in lighting the smoke screen and helping
the ship to escape; Carpenter H. Shakeshaft and Engine-Room Storekeeper F.
Simmons, for their devotion to duty and excellent work, willingly and
cheerfully carried out, which in great measure enabled the ship to
continue on her voyage.
The official London Gazette of June 8th, 1943 announced the award of the
George Medal to Captain George Marmion Duff, who had already been
presented with Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea. The Chief Engineer,
Mr. John Bell Parker was awarded the O.B.E. while the Chief Officer,
Second Officer and Second Engineer, Messrs. Glyn Roberts, Francis Charles
Hender and Dugald Charles Keenliside received the M.B.E. Harry Shakeshaft
and Frank Simmons received the British Empire Medal. The citation read:
“The ship was sailing alone when she was attacked by an enemy sub
marine shortly before dawn. Many shells exploded on or near the ship
which, however, put up a splendid and successful defence. The vessel
sustained considerable damage, but emergency repairs were effected and the
ship kept going. The submarine continued to shell the ship, but the fire
was returned and the enemy was eventually shaken off. In spite of the
damaged condition the vessel continued her voyage and arrived at her
destination after having covered a distance of over 2,500 miles.
The Master displayed great courage and skill in conducting this
magnificent defence which saved his ship. It was due to his tenacity,
resource and seamanship that the ship was brought safely to port.
The Chief and Second Engineers remained below throughout the attack and
carried out their duties with courage and coolness despite damage caused
by a shell which penetrated the engine-room.
The Chief Officer was the mainstay of the Master on deck and was
out-standing in his courage and devotion to duty.
The Second Officer was the gunnery officer in the ship and it was mainly
due to his excellent control and direction that such an effective fire was
maintained.
The Carpenter and Storekeeper worked with courage, skill and untiring
energy in effecting emergency repairs while the ship was in action.”
