The Athenia was the first marine casualty of the war and the City Of Flint, an American ship, was eventually sunk by a German submarine.įrom Sept 1939 Berwick served on Ocean Convoy escort duties, interspersed with the blockade of enemy supply ships attempting to pass through the Denmark Straits en route to German ports. I was a Petty Officer electrical artificer, a member of the Torpedo Division, having joined the ship early in 1938.ĭuring the next few days the Berwick steamed northwards towards Halifax Nova Scotia and arrived in Halifax in time to witness survivors from the Athenia debark from the City Of Flint.
H.M.S.Berwick had been, during the previous nine months, Flag-ship of the 8th Cruiser Squadron on the American and West Indies Station.
Good luck was on her side and she escaped unscathed We did, however, have the pleasure of exchanging greetings with the British liner Queen Mary as she entered the Hudson River en route to New York This of course was 3rd Sept 1939 and the Berwick was patrolling the mouth of the Hudson River, hoping to intercept the German liner Bremen, at that time berthed in New York harbour. The crew were relaxing after the usual weekly inspection by the Captain, waiting for ‘Rum Up‘, when it was announced over the broadcast system by the Prime Minister that war had been declared on Germany.
They commenced soon after Sunday Divisions and Church Service on board H M S Berwick, County Class Cruiser.