The Answer is Often:
It was Meant to Be
| We will never know why a very young Canadian seaman, ‘Bud’ Bridgman, volunteered to remain on lookout aboard HMCS Comox after the search for survivors of the Liberty Ship Martin Van Buren had ceased. Nevertheless, despite the bone chilling fog, Bud continued to scan what parts of the ocean he could see. Sixty six men are very grateful that he did.  |  Left: Seaman Arthur 'Bud' Bridgman with 'Cookie' aboard HMCS Comox |
Fog did not Spare Convoy BX-141 (Boston-Halifax)
The convoy departed Boston, Massachusetts formed up in eight columns; later, closer to Halifax, the formation altered to a single line in preparation to enter Halifax harbour.
On January 14, 1945 German U-1232 sank or damaged beyond repair 3 ships in fifteen minutes – some reports indicate it may have been as little as thirteen minutes. The U-boat commander reported sinking four boats but he missed HMCS Ettrick and probably was unable to see that the Ettrick evaded the torpedo. Minutes later the Ettrick rammed the U-boat ‘causing extensive damage to the conning tower, periscopes and radio mast’ although U-1232 was able to evade subsequent depth charges and make for home. (Hitler’s U-Boat War by C. Blair).
On January 14, 1945 German U-1232 sank or damaged beyond repair 3 ships in fifteen minutes – some reports indicate it may have been as little as thirteen minutes. The U-boat commander reported sinking four boats but he missed HMCS Ettrick and probably was unable to see that the Ettrick evaded the torpedo. Minutes later the Ettrick rammed the U-boat ‘causing extensive damage to the conning tower, periscopes and radio mast’ although U-1232 was able to evade subsequent depth charges and make for home. (Hitler’s U-Boat War by C. Blair).
U-1232
HMCS Ettrick HMCS Ettrick - evaded the torpedo U-1232 meant for her and turned to ram the U-Boat causing extensive damage. |  |
British Freedom The first to be hit was the tanker British Freedom. The Master was lost and 46 crew members and 9 gunners were picked up by the minesweeper HMCS Gaspe. |  |
Martin Van Buren Minutes later, the next torpedo found the Liberty Ship Martin Van Buren. Three navy gunmen were lost, sixty three of the crew were rescued by HMCS Comox and three by HMCS Fundy). |  |
AthelvikingThe last ship hit was another tanker, the Athelviking. The Master and three members of the crew were lost and there were forty seven survivors. |  |
To the Rescue
The fickle finger of fate may have taken three ships only seven nautical miles off their destination (Halifax); however, this did mean that help was close at hand despite the fog faced by Bud Bridgman aboard the Comox.
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More About Bud Bridgman Arthur L. ‘Bud’ Bridgman grew up in St. Thomas, Ontario and enlisted in the R.C.N.V.R. as soon as his age allowed. He saw active service in the Atlantic on board the minesweeper, HMCS Comox. His military service also included 18 years in the militia from 1947-1965. He was a Warrant Officer and received the Canadian Forces Decoration for Long Service. |  |
Following the war, Mr. Bridgman began a long newspaper career, first as an advertising salesman and later the advertising manager for the St. Thomas Times-Journal. He left the Times- Journal in November of 1956 to join the advertising staff of the London Free Press and stayed until his retirement in May of 1991. Bud was an active member of the Board of the Elgin Military Museum and also served as Chairman. He passed away in 2012. His son, the late Michael Bridgman, played a significant role in getting the museum to consider acquiring HMCS Ojibwa.
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