Norman Gandy 3

The following day, 13 March 1943 at about 0440 hours, three ships were torpedoed and sunk.  Later in the day 4^th ship, Marcella, was torpedoed with the loss of all hands.  Of the other losses, the Dutch ship Sembilangan exploded after being hit and it turned out that the manifested cargo, “planes and general cargo” turned out to be high explosive ammunition.  Silverbeech was manifested as carrying general cargo and government stores.

At some stage after the morning submarine attack of the voyage the Captain of the SS Djambi (CAW van Dijk) decided, for whatever reason, to leave the convoy without authorisation.  The Captain’s decision may have been influenced by a near miss the previous day when a bomb had exploded only 100 feet astern.  Djambi broke formation, steamed ahead and pursued a zig-zag course for about 2 hours.  Presumably the consequences of his indiscipline dawned and van Dijk decided to re-join the convoy.  Unfortunately, it appears he simply reversed course and sailed towards the advancing convoy. Almost inevitably, whilst manoeuvring, Djambi collided with the front rank of the convoy, MV Silverbeech (#81).  Djambi was holed and began to sink.  The crew were rescued by HMS Fleetwood, a Grimsby Class Sloop.  Meantime, Silverbeech was so badly damaged that she made for Gibraltar for repairs.

 SS Djambi

HMS Fleetwood