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Battle of the Atlantic
Continuation of account of the sinking of SS AVOCETA Convoy HG73

C. in C. Western Approaches, Liverpool informed the Captain of the Escort that a deep-sea tug would be sent to tow SPRINGBANK back to the UK, but this decision was later changed. Instead orders were given to HMS JASMINE to stand by her and take off all survivors and after so doing , was then to sink her.

So, JASMINE took off all survivors, which in itself was a great feat of seamanship, and then proceeded to make the first of three depth charge attacks firing from two starboard throwers running at speed close alongside SPRINGBANK at a distance of about 50 feet. The depth charges were aimed and timed to go off just below the water-line, and JASMINE herself felt the effect as they did. After three attempts, SPRINGBANK still refused to go down, so JASMINE stood off her and used her 4 inch for鈥檃rd gun and eventually one of the rounds started a fire which burned all afternoon giving off dense yellowish smoke. JASMINE had been circling at a safe distance, zig-zagging at about 14 knots, as submarines were known to be still in the vicinity. At 1950hrs. there was a great explosion and SPRINGBANK slowly heeled over and, it seemed reluctantly, finally sank. We were about 4 miles away and closed rapidly to find wreckage and a lot of oil on the surface but no sign of further survivors. JASMINE then headed off to rejoin the convoy. During the 27th, U203 and U205 still maintained contact with the convoy, but U205 was attacked by an aircraft from a base in Cornwall and was believed to have sustained damage. In the evening, however, U201 was again at work and torpedoed and sank the Finnish steamer MARGARETA (3103) to the SW of Ireland.

After sinking SPRINGBANK, the JASMINE, now seriously overloaded with more than 60 survivors aboard, was ordered to make best speed for Milford Haven where all survivors were to be put ashore. Survivors from AVOCETA who were landed there numbered: 24 of the original crew of 71, 12 only of the 87 passengers and Rear Admiral Creighton and just two of his staff. The rest were officially listed as 鈥淢issing Presumed Drowned鈥�. The ladies of the WVS looked after us whilst we were each issued with a set of civilian clothing and Rail Travel Warrants. We must have looked a grim sight with our bundles of personal possessions as we departed for our various home destinations.

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