On 18th February 1941: Cargo ship SS Black Osprey, 5,589grt, (Cairn’s Noble & Co. Ltd) loaded with a cargo of steel and military trucks at Baltimore joined up with the 21 ship Convoy HX-107, which departed Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 3rd February 1941. During the crossing the convoy encountered severe weather and seven ships were forced to return to Halifax, with a further five becoming stragglers including the Black Osprey, which having developed engine trouble and was forced to drop out of the convoy.

On the 18th February U-96 came across the Black Osprey South of Iceland which was seen to be on fire, the fire having started in her funnel. An easy target the ship was sunk by torpedo in position 61’ 30N 18’ 10W and was abandoned in three life boats without loss of life.

The Norwegian Merchant ship Mosdale eventually came across the three boats, but unfortunately twenty-five crewmembers had succumbed to the bitter cold. The eleven exhausted survivors in one boat, which had been in charge of by Able Seaman John Patterson who, though only nineteen years old, by coolness, steadfastness and good seamanship, kept it afloat in the great seas for fifty-three hours and so saved the lives of ten of his shipmates. They had to be hauled on board by rope as they were unable to move in their frozen condition and eventually landed at Barry.

John Patterson was later awarded the BEM and Lloyds War Medal.

Source: All at Sea