In the Navik Overview I describe briefly the attack by the British into the Fjord. Recently (March 2008) I was lucky enough to meet James Renshaw, who was an Able Seaman on H.M.S. Hunter, and survived the attack. Also in the same month the wreck of ‘Hunter’ was discovered in 305 metres by the Norwegian Navy during a training exercise. The wreck will now be designated a War Grave.
Jim was a delight to talk to and this is what he told me of those dark days of the battle of Narvik. He was only twenty two at the time.
The attack was led by Hardy with Hunter, Havelock, Hotspur, and Hostile following. Two attacks were successfully carried out, but on the third attack at about 0330 all ships met with heavy gunfire from the German destroyers. At this point Warburton Lee gave the order for all ships to retire under cover of smoke screens. By this time the gunfire had become very severe and our retreat was partially cut off by six German destroyers who had been at anchor in the Fjord.
In addition to being badly holed forward, Hotspur’s steering gear and starboard engine were put out of action resulting in Hotspur colliding with Hunter amidships. At this point Hunters Captain, Lt Commander Linsey de Villiers gave orders for everyone to abandon ship, which proceeded in quite an orderly manner considering that we were still under heavy gunfire.
After about ten minutes Hotspur managed to free herself and retire, leaving Hunter with a great hole in her side listing to starboard and virtually a total wreck with her engine room rapidly filling with water. The ship was abandoned in about fifteen minutes with the crew flinging themselves into the freezing water. The time was about 0615, and by 0630 the ship had disappeared all together.
After swimming around for the best part of an hour we were all picked up by three German Destroyers.The water temperature was 12% F below freezing and this alone must have accounted for the large number of causalities. Of the crew of 156 (8 officers and 148 ratings) only forty six survived.
After swimming around for the best part of an hour we were all picked up by three German Destroyers.The water temperature was 12% F below freezing and this alone must have accounted for the large number of causalities. Of the crew of 156 (8 officers and 148 ratings) only forty six survived. All the survivors said that the Germans treated them very well, doing everything they could for their comfort. Besides being given brandy and other spirits to revive them, they were all bathed and given clothes. At 1000 hours all survivors were landed, thirty being put up in the German whaling ship Jan Wellem and fourteen placed in the Iris Café. One officer and three ratings were taken to hospital. We all spent three weeks here as prisoners of war until being sent to Sweden. This was still under German control and we had to stay there for two and a half years.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
My name is james renshaw and i am the eldest son of the above James Renshaw (sadly no longer with us) I believe he was the last survivor of H.M.S. Hunter,unless anyone knows differently.Please feel free to contact me if you require any further imformation on the above story..
I am the above James Renshaw,and i am submitting my e-mail address if you would like to contact me ref the above story..
dear james, only now have i found out about james passing away,jim phoned me just after they found hms hunter and we had a good talk about the ship and other things about narvick.my late father was a petty officer on board at the time and he was taken prisioner and sent to sweden when he made a break and got home to england,he is in the second row far left of the group photo,he passed away in 1972.
yours
peter kerswell
My father was Cyril Cope see his story on this website. He left audio transcripts of the Battle whuch I finally managed to put on paper. I have been informed that Navy News is doing a full feature next month dedicated to the epic battle. I am also hoping to collate as much information as possible with hope of producing a book about not only the Battle of Narvik but also the sailors and thier families at home. I have had contact with a number of families one as far as Australia. I am also in contact with Harry Rogers the only remaiing survior I have found from any of the ships. James and Peter I wold be interested in hearing from you. roncope@btinternet.com
Ron Cope (CPO Rtd)
James and Peter ..on the chance that you come back to this website I would be most grateful if you could contact me. This year is the 70th Anniversary. It may be your local newspaper would be interested in doing a feature mainly focused on both your late father’s involvement in the 1st Battle of Narvik. I will be able to give you examples of other families associated with Narvik where this resulted in an emotionally rewarding experience. Ron Cope
Just to say that my Grandad Thomas Norton is on the photo of the survivors of HMS Hunter 1940, he is on the Second row second person on the left.
I am also the Granddaughter of Thomas Norton from Manchester. He was one of the lucky few who survived the sinking of the Hunter. He was take prisoner and held in a school building before they were taken over to Sweden. He had to sign papers saying that he would not take up arms against the Germans again before he was released and sent home. MY Grandma received a telegram saying he was missing believed killed.
Dear Ellen and Josie. Cyril Cope (If not already done – see one of the other sections on this website) was a survivor on HMS Hardy and came from Salford. They were both Devonport based so could have known each other. In researching to write a book I am looking for any interesting stories from survivors or families recollections of the events that occurred in the epic Battle of Narvik or subsequently. I would be very interested to hear from you. I have some relevant material which you may be interested in receiving online. Ron Cope ‘roncope@btinternet.com’