D/S Rym

Report by the vessel's Master Conrad Emil Rustad

The s.s. "Rym" ... left Sydney, C.B. on the 5th October 1941 bound for Londonderry, Ireland, loaded with 570 standards timber, about 200 tons bunkers. The vessel was in all respects in seaworthy condition.

Thursday the 16th October

Steering according to the convoy directions. At about 15.00 o'clock an escort vessel on the starboard quarter was apparently occupied with an attack on enemy U-boats as depth charges were heard exploding, and during the afternoon the escort appeared to be drawing further astern of the convoy. Since noon, the convoy had steered true course 018, altering at 19.40 o'clock to true course 909. At 20.00 o'clock an explosion occurred astern of the 8th column of the convoy. The convoy was then proceeding at full speed. At about 21.00 o'clock another explosion occurred ahead of the "RYM" in the 10th column, this being the tanker "W.C. TEAGLE". Shortly afterwards we, on the "RYM", caught sight of lights from the survivors from the tanker and at once altered course in order to pick them up as we vere the last vessel in the column and no escort vessel was in sight. In the meantime another vessel, the "ERVIKEN", had also set course for the survaivors from the "W.C. TEAGLE" and the "RYM" had to alter course in order to avoid collision with the "ERVIKEN", turned right round in order to steer towards another light from a lifeboat or raft, when the "ERVIKEN" was torpedoed whilst occupied with savng the survivors. The "RYM" was now proceeding at full speed in order to catch up with the convoy again, when we caught sight of one of the escort vessels, about 3-4 nautical miles astern of the convoy. At about 22.00 o'clock we caught sight of the convoy ahead, at about 22.10 o'clock the "RYM" was struck by a torpedo on the starboard side forward between Nos. 1 and 2 hatches with the result that the forward part of the ship was set over to port and, as far as could possibly be seen, torn apart from the rest of the hull and only kept together by the cargo, the deck cargo on the foredeck partly thrown over board as well as dischargederricks swung out towards port and splintered, the bridge much damaged, teh starboard lifeboat destroyed and davits bent.

The vessel developed a heavy list to starboard and the water was steadily rising so that stokehold and engine room were gradually filled. The deck cargo on the after deck was gradually washed away over board owing to the list and to watyer coming over, the cabins on the starboard side also half full of water.

Soon after the explosion the Master threw over board the confidential books and papers contained in a weighty canvas bag. The port lifeboat was immediately put into the water with 17 men, 1 A.B. seaman, 1 fireman, the chief Engineer and the Master remaining on board. The lifeboat was picked up by H.M.S. "VERONICA" at 1.00 o 'clock on the 17th October, and those who were still on board were taken on board H.M.S. "VERONICA" at 9.00 o'clock on the 17th October. All the men were saved. The chief officer got his right hand burnt while sending up a rocket from the lifeboat, some of the others of the crew were somewhat knocked about. A summary of the confidential books and papers was handed to the Commanding Officer on H.M.S. "VERONICA", Lieutenant Commander D. F. White, R.N.R. We were landed at Londonderry on Sunday the 19th October. On the 20th October we were sent on to Glasgow where we arrived on the 21st October.

C. Rustad, Master