Ken Pye or Gord Chamney, fellow crew members, will agree that our misfortune in Reykjavik was a sobering experience, particularly in light of the fact that the water in that part of the world is very cold!
When flying as second pilot with Captain Bill Wallace, on a North Atlantic patrol, code-named "Moorings," we had been diverted to Reykjavik. The following day we were scheduled for the return trip to Archdale, on a night operation. That night, during the few hours of darkness, we slipped our mooring and proceeded to the flare path. The Reykjavik harbor pinnace directed us out of the harbor. He signaled by Aldis,"Follow Me." We dutifully, took up our position behind him. It was only a matter of a minute or two before we felt the bumps, as the aircraft struck a submerged obstacle.
The hull was holed aft of the front door with the wardroom, galley and bomb bay bilges, rapidly filling with seawater. Bulkhead doors were secured and the Skipper ordered fuel to be jettisoned. The pinnace had also hit the obstacle but had suffered only slight damage. Reykjavik Control was alerted by Radio that we were in danger of sinking. As we were led back to the beaching ramp, the wing floats sank deeper and the propeller tips of the turning outboard engines were digging into the water. One of our crew removed the astro hatch and fired a red flare. We held our breath as the flare arched its way into the sky and we prayed that the jettisoned gasoline would not be ignited. The ground crew was able to attach beaching gear as we neared the ramp.
We were relieved to get back on shore, with our wet baggage! Some of the crew members had purchased cartons of cigarettes in Reykjavik, which suffered water damage. We relaxed for a week in the "land of the midnight sun", enjoying the Reykjavik sights. Four members of our crew were flown back to Aldergrove in a Liberator. From Aldergrove to Castle Archdale, we were passengers on a De-Haviland Domine piloted by W/C Williams. Sunderland W6032 was repaired and returned to 422 Squadron strength two months later.