Sinking of Curacoa

“Readers may be interested to know about the C-class cruiser HMS Curacoa and her sinking on October 2 1942,” says Patrick Anderson of Letham. “All who witnessed the collision off Northern Ireland and in the Clyde repair yards were sworn to secrecy and the loss was not publicly reported until after the war.

“It would appear that HMS Curacoa was built as a C-class light cruiser in Pembroke Dock and commissioned in early 1918. Prior to the start of the Second World War, she was converted into an anti-aircraft cruiser and saw service in the Battle of Narvik in 1940.

“After repairs she was assigned to the western approaches where she escorted convoys in and around the British Isles. In October 1942, Curacoa rendezvoused north of Ireland with the liner Queen Mary which was carrying American troops of the 29th Infantry Division.

“Each captain believed their ship had right of way. Captain John Boutwood of the Curacoa kept to the liner’s mean course to defend the liner from enemy aircraft, while Captain Charles Illingworth of the Queen Mary continued a zigzag course, expecting the old escort cruiser to give way.

“But it became apparent that the Queen Mary would come too close to the cruiser and the liner’s officer of the watch interrupted the turn to avoid the Curacoa. Captain Illingworth told his officer: “Carry on with the zig zag. These chaps are used to escorting, they will keep out of your way and won’t interfere with you.”

“Subsequently the Queen Mary struck Curacoa amidships at full speed, cutting the cruiser in half. The aft end sank almost immediately. The Queen Mary was given orders not to stop for any reason and to head for the Clyde. Hours later escort ships returned to the scene to find 101 survivors in the water including Captain Boutwood.

“Lost in the sinking were 337 officers and men. Many have no known graves. One of the missing was Dundee-born telegraphist C/JX 232064 Roderick Mchardy, Royal Navy, husband of Nessie Mchardy.”