When Robert Brundle took the SS Harmatris to Russia with Convoy PQ8 he
was 47 years of age. Both ship and master were veterans and had already
sailed in convoys across the North Atlantic and to South Africa. The
5,395 ton coal fired ship, laden with 8,000 tons of armaments originally
set sail on 27 November 1941 to join convoy PQ6 but encountered a fierce
storm in which a lorry broke free in the hold and started a fierce blaze
below decks. Despite valiant attempts to extinguish the fire the
Harmatris was forced to return to Glasgow for repair. Having discharged
its cargo, examined and repaired the holds, it restowed and finally put
to sea again on 26 December. She was now to join PQ8 and Brundle was
elected Convoy Commodore. Two minesweepers, a cruiser and two destroyers
escorted the eight merchant vessels.On 8 January the convoy left
Reykjavik bound for Murmansk. Harmatris was struck by two torpedoes in
No 1 hold which caused flooding. A third torpedo struck her a few hours
later and the crew evacuated to HMS Speedwell in attendance. A volunteer
crew reboarded and Speedwell took the wounded ship in tow. During the
night the same U Boat that had struck Harmatris sunk the destroyer
Matabele with the loss of all but two of her crew. A tug eventually
replaced Speedwell and the entire crew now returned to their still
stricken vessel. On 18 January the ships were twice attacked by low
flying Heinkels. The stricken Harmatris finally berthed in Murmansk at
0800 on 20 January. Once unloaded the battered ship entered dry dock on
10 February. The damage was considerable. In a temperature of 40 degrees
below zero the crew set about the repairs. It was difficult to locate
engine parts and local labor was scarce.During the following months the
crew continued to work on the ship, food was scarce and the port was
frequently bombed by the Luftwaffe. Several ships close to Harmatris
were sunk. It was 21 July when the ship finally left for Archangel. She
took aboard a cargo of 3,000 tons of steel pipes and on 13 September she
was instructed to join a convoy of 20 ships, QP14 for her return voyage.
On 19 September the minesweeper HMS Leda, steaming close by Harmartris,
was torpedoed. The convoy was under almost continuous U Boat attack and
suffered six losses. As a result of his heroic efforts to preserve his
ship and crew Captain Brundle was awarded the OBE and the Lloyds War
Medal. He died in 1960 at the age of 66.
