How Allied Convoy Sailed Into Antwerp

Northern Advocate, 2 December 1944, Page 6

How Allied Convoy Sailed Into Antwerp

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, December 1. A description of the sailing of the first Allied convoy into Antwerp has been given by a correspondent now at the port. He says, in a delayed message, that from various ports of the United Kingdom where they had been secretly loaded and made ready •to sail immediately the Scheldt was cleared, first of the enemy forces, then of mines, the vessels assembled at the convoy rendezvous. The line of ships made an impressive moonlight picture. >

“Soon after dawn we picked up the long, low beaches of Walcheren with the obstructions against landing parties still lying uselessly in the sand;’ he says.

“Off Flushing, our Dutch pilots came aboard. I stood with one of them on the bridge as we steadily passed up the Scheldt. It was raining hard and blowing almost a half-gale, but the pilot was telling me of the thrill of doing this job for the first time after four and a-half years. He shouted in my ear: ‘Never mind, gladly X would do it in a snowstorm.’

“Small craft lying off Terneuzen signalled salutes to us as we passed the base then, as the river narrowed, groups of people and children came running to the water’s edge to greet us. To The City’s Heart “So the convoy steamed on right into the city’s heart where the cathedral bells pealed out greetings. “At last we have on the north-west European coast our first port ready for immediate use by a large number of big supply ships. In Antwerp there are 178 berths for big ships in the decks which have wet basins covering nearly 26 miles of frontage. All small dock tugs are intact, and the big river tugs have been brought back from England where they were taken when the Germans occupied the port. “A corps of 250 sea and river phots, all Belgians, are ready to take the ships in. All cranes, totalling more than 540 cf various types had been left, and more than 90 per cent are in working order. Many are capable of lifts up to 150 tons. Ample Electric Power

“Although the Germans retained possession of Merxen, where the city’s electric power station is situated, for a considerable period after the port was liberated they did not destroy the plant so there is ample electric current available for the working of the docks’ gear. Dry docks are in excellent condition and will not only meet the needs of Antwerp itself, but also relieve the strain on British dry docks.

“Clearance of supplies will be .by rail, road or inland waterways. Vital points where the rail system has been damaged, are being rapidly repaired and the roads are in good condition, while clearance of canals can be assisted by 500 barges which were captured, together with 62,000 tons of material in their holds. For the port a labour army of 8000 skilled stevedores and 10,000 unskilled men are ready."