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In the summer of 1942, the Arctic Ocean became the stage for one of the most perilous naval operations of the Second World War: Convoy PQ17. Among the ships braving the icy waters and relentless threat of German attack was HMS Ayrshire, a humble trawler that would go on to earn a place in naval legend. 

The extraordinary story of the plucky little vessel plays central role in the third instalment of the Romulus Hutchinson Naval Adventure series, The Mighty Ocean, which is released at the end of February 2026 (preorder for Kindle now).   

PQ17 was a vital lifeline, carrying war supplies from Britain and America to the Soviet Union. The convoy of 35 merchant ships, escorted by a mix of destroyers, corvettes, and trawlers, set out from Iceland in late June. Their destination: the northern ports of Arkhangelsk and Murmansk. But the route was fraught with danger. German U-boats prowled beneath the waves, while the Luftwaffe dominated the skies. Worst of all, the mighty battleship Tirpitz lurked in Norwegian fjords, ready to strike. 

On 4 July, fearing an imminent attack by Tirpitz, the Admiralty issued a fateful order: “Scatter.” The convoy broke apart, leaving individual ships to fend for themselves in the frozen wilderness. For many, this was a death sentence. Of the 35 merchant vessels, only 11 would reach their destination. 

Gradwell’s bold decision 

HMS Ayrshire, commanded by Lieutenant Leo Gradwell, was no ordinary warship. Originally a fishing trawler, she had been converted for minesweeping and escort duties. Her crew were a mix of seasoned sailors and reservists, men more accustomed to nets than naval guns. Yet Gradwell was a man of resourcefulness and grit. 

When the order to scatter came, Gradwell refused to abandon hope. Instead, he gathered three merchant ships – Ironclad, Silver Sword, and Troubadour – and led them north, away from the main shipping lanes and deeper into the Arctic ice. His plan was audacious: to hide among the floes until the danger passed. 

Navigating through pack ice was a feat in itself. Ayrshire had no charts for these frozen waters, and the trawler’s hull was never designed for such punishment. Yet Gradwell pressed on, using a sextant and a copy of The Times Pocket Atlas to plot their course. The ships crept forward, engines straining, as ice closed in around them. 

For days, the little flotilla lay hidden in a remote bay, camouflaged with white paint and snow. The crew endured freezing temperatures and constant anxiety, knowing that discovery by a German reconnaissance plane could spell disaster. Supplies were rationed, and every man knew that survival depended on silence and luck. 

Triumph against the odds 

Gradwell’s gamble paid off. When the threat of Tirpitz receded, Ayrshire and her charges emerged from their icy refuge and made for the Soviet coast. Against all odds, all four ships reached Arkhangelsk safely – a remarkable achievement given the carnage that had befallen the rest of PQ17. 

For his leadership and ingenuity, Gradwell was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. HMS Ayrshire’s adventure became a symbol of resilience and improvisation in the face of overwhelming adversity. 

The Mighty Ocean  is released on February 27, 2026, as our twin Liverpudlian heroes Rom and Remmie Hutchinson continue their seafaring adventures amid the darkest days of the Second World War. To Preorder for Kindle, visit: https://getbook.at/TheMightyOcean