National Archives query!

[Hazel Stringer]

Advice appreciated please! Should I go ahead and purchase the pages or query what is being said?

I asked for a specific page check on a ship. This is what I asked:
"168702 EMPIRE BAIRN Looking for 1: crew list Dec 1944 - July 1946 specifically Dominic Michael Stringer or possibly just Michael Stringer - Engineer. However, whole crew list preferred if this name is mentioned. 2: Narrative section of log book from 01/12/1944 to 01/04/1945 Although the dates mentioned are 1944-45, the Empire Bairn did not return to the UK at the end of the war in Europe but sailed through the Suez Canal to India. I believe the ship did not return to the UK until 1946 at the earliest. I am hoping the above details are filed with this record of the Empire Bairn. Thank you for your time."

For clarity, the records I was asking to be searched was the log for 1946. as there is not a log of this ship for 1945.

This was response from The National Archives:
"I confirm that your instructions have been read. This page check relates to the document BT 381/3994, and includes the relevant content but no blank pages or intentionally blank pages. Please note if a copy order is placed, we will digitally capture a research quality true likeness image of the original document. This will be the best copy available using research quality Jpegs."
I was about to pay for the copies when I noticed this:
"1. Copy order

Title: 168694; 168701; 168702; 168704; 168710; 168711; 168712; 168716; 168717; 168721; 168723;...
Catalogue reference: BT 381/3994
Covering dates: 1946 Jan 01 - 1946 Dec 31"

The copy order clearly shows 1946! I do not understand why

[Doc Vernon]

For clarity, the records I was asking to be searched was the log for 1946. as there is not a log of this ship for 1945.

Hazel
So was that not the Doc you wanted as your above quote says 1946??
I am confused?

They have given you the Doc for 1946 ??
Cheers

168694; 168701; 168702; 168704; 168710; 168711; 168712; 168716; 168717; 168721; 168723;... | The National Archives

Covering dates: 1946 Jan 01 - 1946 Dec 31"

[Hazel Stringer]

Doc,

One of the dates I specifically requested was "2:Narrative section of log book from 01/12/1944 to 01/04/1945".

However, the response given by National Archives states the pages are "Covering dates: 1946 Jan 01 - 1946 Dec 31".

Given that it is a substantial cost I wondered if I should check before purchase?

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Hazel
Why not first Email them with their reply and your query again and ask if that is all they have on it. On a search at the Archives i just checked the Movements of the Ship, and it has only got to 1944 so possible the War Years are Blank !
And the sage continues! LOL
Cheers

[WG Smith]

The attached link may be of interest?

https://hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/arch...-009231-0173-l

Empire Bairn Letter.JPG