From: John R Harrison Lt. (jg ), D (L), USNR March 16,1945
C/o Armed Guard Center (Pacific)
S.S. CAPE EDMONT Gross tons 6711.2
Flag of registry: United States
To: Chief of Naval Operations
Via: Port Director, NTS, San Pedro,CA
Subject: Report of Voyage, S.S. CAPE EDMONT
From Calcutta, India to San Pedro, CA
Reference: ( A) General Instructions for Commanding Officers of Naval Armed Guard aboard Merchant Vessels, 1944, paragraph 4301
1. In accordance with reference (a), the following information is submitted:
(A) Type of vessel C1-B Type of cargo- Army owner of vessel- War Shipping Administration . Chartered to USATS. Operators- Alcoa S.S. Co.
(B) Port of departure- Calcutta, India
Date – 27 January 1945
Convoyed or independent—Independent
Average speed 13.2 knots,
Number of ships in convoy- none
Number of escort vessels or aircraft- none
Port of arrival- San Pedro, CA
Date – March 15, 1945
(C) No contact with the enemy
(D) The ship sailed from Calcutta, India, bound for west coast of United States via Colombo, Ceylon and Melbourne, Australia. It was loaded with 1000 tons of used aircraft motors by the Army. On the morning of January 31 the ship tied up in Colombo, Ceylon and took on bunkers and water, sailing the same day. At 0421 on the morning of 9 February in latitude 33-35 S, Longitude 99-06 East, the wreck of a liberty type freighter was sighted. The ship was the S.S.PETER SILVESTER bound for Calcutta. The survivors were taken aboard and examined. Of 15, one was Poole, Jerry Dwayne, S1c(SM), 631 28 81, USNR, the armed guard signalman. There were also eight of the merchant crew and six army men. Due to a serious injury to one of the soldiers, when an account of the rescue was sent to Perth, Australia, where the ship arrived February 12, 1945.
Ship followed zigzag instructions.
The average speed was 13.2 Knots.
Lights were shown only as ordered by routing instructions.
Blackout regulations were strictly enforced.
(E) There were no unreasonable delays in port.
(F) Commercial radio operators speared to carry out wartime Radion Instructions for Merchant ships.
(G) No defects or deficiencies in location of arrangement of the battery, or in equipment as regards material, personnel, or operation.
(H) Master and officers of the ship carried out “Wartime instructions for Merchant Ships”.
(I) No recommendations tending to the improvement or greater efficiency of the service.
(J) No improper procedure on the part of friendly aircraft approaching a merchant ship.
(K) Training at sea.
(1) Regular drills.
General quarters, Pointer-Trainer, Sight setter, Loading, Casualty, and Fire and Boat.
(2) Formal Classes:
Aim-off and tracer assisted eye shooting.
Safety precautions for magazines, ready boxed,guns.
Breakdown and use of .45 caliber automatic,
(3) Individual assistance on preparation for P.O. ratings.,
Original signed by John R Harrison,
Lt. (jg), D (L), USNR.
Wire sent by Cape Edmont to NOIC Fremantle
IMPORTANT
Reports rescue of 15 survivors of torpedoed PETER SILVESTER at 1400GMT 6 February 1945 Latitude 34-19S Longitude 99-37 E.
Names as follows T Pederson First Mate WM Bertelsen First Engineer D Arnould Third Engineer J Buccino Third Mate C Scott Radio Operator D Van Vleck First Cook W Scovell Ordinary seaman D Carlson Steward J Poole Navy signalman and United States Army Personnel as follows J McCaslin Private T Spiccketts Jr Private W Howard Sergeant H Law Private H Fenz Private R Carlson Private.
Chief mate reports vessel torpedoed three times forward of bridge engine room broken in 2 forward part to bridgegone remainder afloat menace to navigation.
3 boats and possibly 4 rafts afloat with which we did not sight.
Of the survivors picked up 5 injured 1 seriously, whom I am bringing to Fremantle.
(from Perth Radio)