The Fateful Journey of MV Scottish Maiden
On the afternoon of October 24, 1940, the Halifax waterfront was a scene of resolve and determination. Twenty Allied ships, escorted by the British armed merchant cruiser HMS Ascania, embarked on their perilous voyage across the open Atlantic. This convoy, designated HX-83, aimed to deliver vital supplies to England amid the raging Second World War. Among the ships was the British tanker MV Scottish Maiden—a vessel whose journey would tragically underscore the dangers of wartime crossings.
A Ship of the Times
Built in 1921 by Vickers Ltd., Scottish Maiden was a 6,993-ton tanker, tasked with delivering crucial resources to Avonmouth, England. At the helm was Captain John William Albert Gibson, leading a crew of 43 men. The journey was a familiar yet perilous one, with threats lurking beneath and above the ocean’s surface. Three days into the voyage, HX-83 faced significant challenges, as Atlantic crossings often did.
Trials at Sea
The convoy was soon joined by ships from Sydney and Bermuda, swelling the total number to 36. While the merger succeeded, the Atlantic weather grew fierce. Howling winds and driving rain buffeted the ships, making steering a grueling task and reducing visibility to a dangerous low. Despite these challenges, the convoy pushed forward, albeit at a reduced speed.
But for Scottish Maiden, the journey was becoming increasingly fraught. In the midst of the turbulent weather, disaster struck—an unexpected collision with Kars, a British armored motor tanker in the convoy. The impact damaged both ships above their water lines. Though battered, both vessels remained seaworthy and continued on their journey, but the streak of bad luck for Scottish Maiden had only just begun.
A Final Encounter
On November 5th, as HX-83 neared its destination, a new and deadly threat emerged. German submarine U-99, under the command of Captain Otto Kretschmer, intercepted the convoy. Renowned as one of the war’s most formidable U-boat commanders, Kretschmer and his crew were on their sixth Atlantic patrol. From a staggering distance of nearly 4,000 yards, U-99 launched its last torpedo at Scottish Maiden. The projectile sailed over three other vessels before striking the tanker’s stern—a testament to both the skill of Kretschmer and the tragic vulnerability of Allied shipping.
The Aftermath
The attack claimed the lives of sixteen of Scottish Maiden’s crew. Captain Gibson and the remaining 27 survivors were rescued by the Royal Navy’s HMS Beagle (H-30) and brought safely to Liverpool, England. Their survival was a glimmer of hope amidst a sea of tragedy, a stark reminder of the high cost paid by those who braved the perilous waters of the Atlantic during the war.
The story of the MV Scottish Maiden reflects not just the perils faced by Allied convoys but the courage and resilience of those who served on these treacherous routes. As we remember the sacrifices made, let this tale serve as a tribute to all who endured the dangers of the open ocean in pursuit of a greater cause.