Convoy SL 78


Convoy SL 78 was the 78th of the numbered series of World War II SL convoys of merchant ships from Sierra Leone to Liverpool. Ships carrying commodities bound for the British Isles from South America, Africa, and the Indian Ocean traveled independently to Freetown to be convoyed for the last leg of their voyage. Twenty-five merchant ships departed Freetown on 18 June 1941. U-boats sank eight ships before the convoy reached Liverpool on 12 July.

Ships in the convoy

Allied merchant ships

A total of 26 merchant vessels joined the convoy, either in Sierra Leone or later in the voyage.
NameFlagTonnage (GRT)Notes
Aliakmon Greece

Convoy escorts

A series of armed military ships escorted the convoy at various times during its journey.
NameFlagTypeJoinedLeft
09 Jul 194111 Jul 1941
HMS Armeria 18 Jun 194128 Jun 1941
HMS Asphodel 18 Jun 194128 Jun 1941
HMS Aster 18 Jun 194128 Jun 1941
09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
sloop18 Jun 194128 Jun 1941
HMS Burdock 18 Jun 194128 Jun 1941
09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
HMS Esperance Bay Armed merchant cruiser and troopship18 Jun 194127 Jun 1941
HMS Fleur De Lys 30 Jun 194130 Jun 1941
HMS Jasmine 09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
HMS PegasusFighter catapult ship09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
HMS Pimpernel 09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
HMS Rhododendron 09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941
heavy cruiser26 Jun 194127 Jun 1941
Modified W-class destroyer09 Jul 194112 Jul 1941