Fate :
The St Goran arrived at Namsos with other ships of the 15 / 16
Striking Forces on April 28th 1940. On arrival at Namsen Fjord
the St Goran loaded stores for the Royal marine Howitzer battery,
the stores were accompanied by Colour Seargeant Swallow RM. The
St Goran then proceeded to Namsos and was greeted by a severe
air raid, and she was told to return to the mouth of the Fjord.
The St Goran then returned to Namsos at dusk and on the orders
of HMS Carlisle offloaded Ammunition she then proceded to the
pier to pick up French troops. The French troops were ferried
to a French transport ship and the St Goran returned to the pier
to unload the Royal Marine stores but was informed nothing else
could be taken onto the pier. After spending the day at sea on
the 29th the St Goran again returned to Namsos at night to relieve
her RM stores but again was told by HMS Bittern to retain them.
On the morning of Tuesday 30 Apr enemy aircraft were heared and
all hands reported to action stations. At 09.30 the Oerliken gun
opened fire on one of three Heinkels which had dived to attack
the St Goran, 3 bombs were dropped in subsequent dives from the
bombers and narrowly missed the St Goran, the bridge took heavy
hits from the bombers machine guns, resulting in the immediate
death of the Captain, Second Hand Glenton ( at the wheel ), Seaman
Marlow on the bridge Lewis gun and Signalman Parsons. Colour Sergeant
Swallow RM was fataly wounded while manning the guns, Leading
Telegraphist Kent and Leading Seaman Rilatt received minor wounds.
The St Goran had substained damage to her stearing gear and the
bridge, the Oerliken and Lewis guns were damaged so not been in
a position to defend herself the decision to abandon her till
nightfall was made. On abandoning the St Goran the wounded were
taken aboard H.M.Trawler Arab, enemy air attacks on the St Goran
continued throughout the afternooon.On returning to the vessel
about 22.00 the St Goran was taking water and due to the enemy
climate and damage to the St Goran the decision to sink her was
made to stop her falling into enemy hands. H.M.Trawler Cape Passaro
assisted in the sinking by using gunfire and the St Goran sank
at 04.30 on 1st May 1940. ADM 199/478
