HMS Manistee and Lt. Commander Eric Haydn-Smith

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by Emanuel1940, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Does anyone know of any research into HMS Manistee? I have photos of her Lt. Commander Eric Haydn-Smith but his grandson is looking for a log book with information on what happened on the very day, 24 February 1941, that she was sunk. I have this info below from an internet source but was wondering if anyone had come across more in-depth research, including photos of the crew with their Commander?

    Thank you.

    Notes on loss At 22.42 hours on 23 Feb, 1941, U-107 fired a spread of two torpedoes at HMS Manistee (F 104) (LtCdr Eric Haydn Smith, RNR) south of Iceland and scored a hit in the engine room. The ship had escorted the convoy OB-288 until it was dispersed at 21.00 hours the same day. She was also attacked by the Italian submarine Bianchi (Giovannini), which fired a torpedo at 22.56 hours, claimed a hit in the stern from a distance of 600 metres and then continued to chase other ships of the convoy.

    At 22.58 hours, U-107 fired two coups de grâce that missed because the ship suddenly continued. Also a stern torpedo fired at 23.42 hours missed because it was a surface-runner. The U-boat began a long chase of the zigzagging ship and fired two torpedoes at 07.58 hours on 24 February. One of them hit in the stern and caused the ship to sink in 58°55N/20°50W. HMS Churchill (I 45) was ordered to search for survivors, but found none. The commander, 18 officers and 122 ratings were lost.


    Crewlists We have listing of 141 people who were on this vessel
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Hello
    the link is here to credit the info above

    Notes on loss
    At 22.42 hours on 23 Feb, 1941, U-107 fired a spread of two torpedoes at HMS Manistee (F 104) (LtCdr Eric Haydn Smith, RNR) south of Iceland and scored a hit in the engine room. The ship had escorted the convoy OB-288 until it was dispersed at 21.00 hours the same day. She was also attacked by the Italian submarine Bianchi (Giovannini), which fired a torpedo at 22.56 hours, claimed a hit in the stern from a distance of 600 metres and then continued to chase other ships of the convoy.

    At 22.58 hours, U-107 fired two coups de grâce that missed because the ship suddenly continued. Also a stern torpedo fired at 23.42 hours missed because it was a surface-runner. The U-boat began a long chase of the zigzagging ship and fired two torpedoes at 07.58 hours on 24 February. One of them hit in the stern and caused the ship to sink in 58°55N/20°50W. HMS Churchill (I 45) (Cdr G.R. Cousins, RN) was ordered to search for survivors, but found none. The commander, 18 officers and 122 ratings were lost.

    HMS Manistee (F 104) (British Ocean boarding vessel) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net


    SMITH, ERIC HAYDN

    Rank:
    Commander
    Date of Death:
    24/02/1941
    Age:
    38
    Regiment/Service:
    Royal Naval Reserve

    H.M.S. Manistee
    Panel Reference
    Panel 60, Column 1.
    Memorial
    PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
    Additional Information:
    CWGC - Casualty Details


    http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?30617


    regards
    Clive
     
  3. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello,

    I have researched the story of the attack on convoy OB288, which I can send if it is of interest. It doesn't add much about HMS Manistee though
     
  4. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    Hello,

    I have researched the story of the attack on convoy OB288, which I can send if it is of interest. It doesn't add much about HMS Manistee though

    Yes please that would be very useful to build up the picture. Thank you.
     
  5. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    As promised. I also made a chart of the action, but that makes the file too big.

    Roy
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Emanuel1940

    Emanuel1940 Member

    As promised. I also made a chart of the action, but that makes the file too big.

    Roy

    Thank you so much Roy that is brilliant. Much appreciated.
     
  7. Bernadettemac

    Bernadettemac New Member

    Thanks for the writeup, my great grandmothers brother was on the HMS Manistee..Andrew Wright Mckerrow a Trimmer..its so sad to see how he passed , how they all did...its sad to see how the U boat captain Hessler got a medal for killing people.. Bernadette
     
  8. Smith7

    Smith7 New Member

    Hi my name is Craig Smith.
    Iam one of Eric's Hayden Smith grandsons.
    My father was Mike hayden Smith . I was the one looking for info. Erics wife my grandma always bleaved that the ship was sunk off the cost of Ireland. This is what she was told.
    Any info would be good.
     
  9. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello Craig,

    There is some information in my post of December 2012, above. I attach a copy of the chart that goes with it. As you will see I concentrated on the convoy and the ship La Pampa, rather than HMS Manistee. Grandma was correct the action took place to the west if Ireland.

    Roy
     

    Attached Files:

  10. James Harvey

    James Harvey Senior Member


    Bernadette

    unfortunately it was war time. Our own armies navies and Air Force gave out medals for killing people.

    you only have to look at the honours list for DSC and above to see the RN gave medals for sinking ships and subs
     

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