Allied Merchant Ships Sunk on this day ww2

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by spidge, Aug 19, 2011.

  1. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

  2. spidge

    spidge RAAF RESEARCHER

    Just wanted to share a picture of my Uncle Alexander John Gilmour born at 5 Ruchill Street, Maryhill, Glasgow on 24 Sep 1918. He was a Third Officer in the Merchant Navy and was drowned after being torpedoed whilst serving on the SS Rhineland (Leith).

    They were sunk by German U-Boat 201 on 13 Sep 1941. I believe their cargo was coal and POW packages.[FONT=&quot] I think all crew were lost? He was awarded the Humane Society's Certificate for Life Saving. U-201 was sunk in 1943.

    Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the Certificate from somewhere? I know he is listed on Panel 87 at Towerhill.
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    U-201 sunk by HMS Viscount (D 92)

    See part of the destroyers history here:

    Allied Warships of WWII - Destroyer HMS Viscount - uboat.net

    Cheers

    Geoff
     
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    He was awarded the Humane Society's Certificate for Life Saving.

    Would it be possible to obtain a copy of the Certificate from somewhere?

    Hi
    If you think this certificate was awarded by the Royal Humane Society you might like to contact them via the link below ...

    Research Enquiries
    Awards of the Royal Humane Society
     
  4. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

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  5. Ron Goldstein

    Ron Goldstein WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Thanks to all for this data.

    Lest we forget !

    Ron
     
  6. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Esso Boston

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    At 19.21 hours the SS Esso Boston, a tanker carrying 105,400 barrels of crude oil was torpedoed by U-130.
    The tanker had been steering a zig zag course as a precaution against a successful attack on it's journey from Venezuela to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The one torpedo fired from U-130 struck the Esso Boston and the resulting explosion tore open the front deck. With the engines stopped the order to abandon ship was given and the entire crew of 8 officers and 29 men completed the evacuation in the ships three lifeboats. U-130 surfaced at 19.26 hours and proceeded to shell the tanker from its deck gun. The entire ship was soon engulfed in fire from bow to stern.

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    The U-boat then came alongside one of the boats and questioned the men, offered them food and water and provided directions to the nearest convoy and land. The Esso Boston sank in the early hours of the next morning and shortly after the crew were rescued by the Destroyer USS Biddle.

    U-130 was commanded by Kapitän zur See Ernst Kals. A recipient of the Knights Cross, Kals was credited with the sinking of 20 ships during the war.

    Ernst Kals

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    Ernst Kals - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
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  7. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Stancliffe

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    At 09.42 hours on 12 Apr, 1940, the unescorted Stancliffe, carrying 7,200 tons of iron ore was hit in the foreship by one torpedo from U-37 and sank after loosing the bow 45 miles northeast of Muckle Flugga, Shetlands. The master and 20 crew members were lost. The U-boat went alongside of a lifeboat and took a man aboard for questioning. He was allowed to return to the boat with cigarettes and a bottle of rum. The 16 crew members in the lifeboat made landfall at Haroldswick, Unst Island, Shetlands. (Source: uboat.net)

    From the Tower Hill memorial..

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    U-37 was commanded by Korvettenkapitän Werner Hartmann. In the course of the war Hartmann sank 26 Allied Vessels. He was awarded the Knights Cross in May 1940 and ended the war a Kapitän zur See

    Werner Hartmann

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    Kapitän zur See Werner Hartmann - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     
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  8. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Empire Progress

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    At 23.26 hours the SS Empire Progress , dispersed from convoy ON-80, was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-402 south of Cape Race. The torpedo was a dud but the ship stopped nevertheless and was missed with a first coup de grâce at 00.17 hours. Seven minutes later a second coup de grâce was fired that hit aft and caused the ship to sink in less than 8 minutes. The master, seven crew members and four gunners were lost. 32 crew members and six gunners abandoned ship, were questioned by the Germans and later picked up by the Olaf Fostenes and landed at Halifax. (Source:uboat.net)

    The ship's panel at the Tower Hill memorial:

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    U-402 was commanded Kapitänleutnant Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner whose sinkings during the war totalled 14 Merchant Vessels and 1 Auxiliary Warship. He was awarded the Knights Cross shortly before U-403 was sunk in October 1943 with the loss of all hands.

    Freiherr Siegfried von Forstner

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    Siegfried von Forstner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  9. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Empire Amethyst

    From the BBC's People's War Website..

    This story is dedicated to the 47 crew members of the SS Empire Amethyst and all those "forgotten" hero's of the Merchant Navy. One of whom was 2nd Radio Officer, E K Dubois, aged 18 years.
    On the 20 February 1942 the S.S. Empire Amethyst commenced her voyage from Swansea to New Orleans. Apart from off-loading the 19 year old test steward at Belfast due to illness, the outward journey was uneventful.
    On the 6 April 1942, the S.S. Empire Amethyst set sail from New Orleans for Freetown. She was carrying 12000 tons of fuel. It appears that her master, G D Potter intended to pass through the lesser Antilles(South Dominican Republic) and then east towards Freetown. It appears also that the tanker was initially escorted by a destroyer. On the 12 April 1942, the S.S. Empire Amethyst was left to proceed unescorted. This due to her being capable of a reasonable speed or possibly the escort was going to the aid of the American ship Delvalla, which had been sunk by the U154(German U-boat). After being hit by three torpedo's, she sank at approximately 1142 hrs.
    The U154 had taken shelter at St. Juan Harbour when the crew noticed the smoke from the S.S. Empire Amethyst and her escort on the horizon. The U154 immediatly moved closer but at 1600 hrs, they had lost site of the destroyer. The U154 then moved in front of the Empire Amethyst whilst their commander, FK Walther Kolle, plotted the Amethyst's general course.
    The night of the 12 April 1942 was ideal for attack, 3/4 dark, 3nm visibility and a hazy horizon. Being low on torpedo's, Kolle chose to attack from the surface. At 2000 hrs the chase began with the Empire Amethyst zig-zagging between 140 degrees and a 100 degrees, but generally heading 110 degrees towards Trinidad. At 0024 hrs on the 13 April 1942 the Empire Amethyst made a sharp turn and in the darkness the crew of the U154 had lost her. At 0218 hrs the U154 cut her engines in the hope of hearing the tanker. The crew of the Empire Amethyst had almost escaped but the more experienced crew of the U154 continued on a heading of 110 degrees which was the general heading that the Amethyst had chosen.
    At 0430 hrs, position EC6286, the U154 once again located the Empire Amethyst which was at full steam ahead and nolonger zig-zagging. At 0552 hrs, position EC6299, the U154 fired the first torpedo which struck under the tankers bridge. The second torpedo hit forward of the engine room. The S.S. Empire Amethyst exploded into bright flames forcing the U154 to take avoidance action from the flames which where still visible from 30nm miles away. Due to this, the U154 sought cover from some islands fearing that they may be detected and thus not recording the time that the S.S. Empire Amethyst sank.
    The S.S Empire Amethyst was only lightly armed with six anti-aircraft gunners, so she never really stood a chance. All 47 crew members perished, to this day their records show, "Vessel Missing, supposed drowned." Since these people gave their lives for their country, I feel that at the very least one should update these records and honour the Merchant Navies efforts during the war.

    BBC - WW2 People's War - S.S. Empire Amethyst

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    Fregattenkapitän Walther Kölle was the commander of U-154. In his short active service career before moving to various staff positions he accounted for seven vessels sunk.

    Walther Kölle

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    Fregattenkapitän Walther Kölle - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     
  10. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Corinthic

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    At 22.29 hours, the unescorted Corinthic carrying 7,710 tones of grain was hit underneath the bridge by one torpedo from U-124 and stopped southwest of Freetown. Because the vessel did not sink the U-boat fired a coup de grâce at 22.44 hours, but this proved to be a dud and they had to fire another torpedo 10 minutes later that hit and sank the ship. Two crew members were lost. The master, 36 crew members and two gunners were picked up by the Dutch motor tanker Malvina and landed at Freetown. (uboat.net)

    From the memorial at Tower Hill..

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    U-124 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Georg-Wilhelm Schulz. During the war he was credited with sinking 19 Allied ships. He was awarded the Knights Cross in April 1941 and ended the war in the rank of Korvettenkapitän

    Georg-Wilhelm Schulz meeting Donitz

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    Korvettenkapitän Georg-Wilhelm Schulz - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     
  11. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Margaret

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    At 21.02 hours, U-571 fired one bow torpedo at the unescorted and unarmed SS Margaret off Cape Cod and observed a hit aft after 42 seconds. They had spotted the steamer about three hours earlier on a northerly zigzag course. The torpedo detonation ripped open the hull to the upper deck and caused her to sink by the stern within five minutes after a boiler explosion. Some survivors were seen to leave the ship in a lifeboat and several rafts, but none of the eight officers and 21 crewmen were ever found. (Source uboat.net)

    U-571 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Helmut Möhlmann. He was credited with the sinking of seven allied vessels during the war.

    Helmut Möhlmann

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    Korvettenkapitän Helmut Möhlmann - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net

    Please note that the apalling film U-571 is in no way related to anything that occurred involving the real boat!
     
  12. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Empire Thrush

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    At 15.15 hours, the unescorted Empire Thrush carrying a cargo of 5000 tons of rock phosphate, 740 tons of TNT and 2800 tons of citrous pulp was hit aft by one torpedo from U-203 and sank slowly by the stern about 8 miles north of Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The master, 47 crew members and seven gunners were picked up by the American Q-ship USS Asterion which had witnessed the attack on the horizon and arrived at the scene after about two hours. On 18 April, the survivors were landed at Norfolk, Virginia. (Source: uboat.net)

    U-203 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg. In the course of the war he was accredited with the sinking of 19 Allied Ships. He was awarded the Knights Cross in July 1942.

    Rolf Mützelburg

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    Kapitänleutnant Rolf Mützelburg - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     
  13. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Thanks for all the help. Got the pouch on order from the archives at Kew. In the meantime I've uploaded the medal list. Will now try that link to the Humane Society.

    I used to know so little about this half brother of my fathers. Thanks to the likes of Ancestry and you good people, I've discovered alot about Sandy and that he had an elder half brother, called Victor Carasov who wrote about his life of crime called Two Gentleman to see you, Sir. What a book!

    I'm very glad and proud I can contribute to the your archives from my family.
     

    Attached Files:

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  14. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Medals awarded were
    1939 - 1945 Star
    Atlantic Star
    War Medal

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  15. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Thanks Hugh, I appreciate your help as always. Regards Maria
     
  16. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    Hi Maria

    Good to see that you have ordered a copy of the Seaman's Pouch. It will interesting to see what other journeys your Uncle made.
     
  17. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Ville de Liège

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    At 01.17 hours, the unescorted Ville de Liège, a steam passenger ship was enroute to Liverpool from New York with a cargo including 6121 tons of steel, wool, wheat and bacon was hit aft by one of two torpedoes fired by U-52 about 700 miles east of Cape Farewell. At 02.10 hours, the burning ship sank after being hit by a further torpedo attack at 01.30. Forty passengers and crew perished in the attack. The master, nine crew members and two passengers were the only survivors. (source: uboat.net)

    U-52 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Otto Salman. In the course of the war he sank 13 Allied Merchant Vessels.

    U-52

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    Otto Salman

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    Korvettenkapitän Otto Salman - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     
  18. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Caspia

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    At 19.54 hours, U-81 spotted a tanker and one escort vessel off the coast of Lebanon and fired at 20.38 and 20.39 hours two torpedoes each at both ships. FFL Vikings (P 41) exploded and sank 23 miles from Beirut after being hit by a torpedo. At 21.48 hours, the U-boat fired two torpedoes at the Caspia and hit her with one torpedo in the bow. The tanker sank in flames 10 miles south of Beirut after being hit by a coup de grâce at 22.10 hours.

    The master, 24 crew members and two gunners from the Caspia (Master Cecil Henry Humphries) were lost. Ten crew members and one gunner were picked up by the British motor launches HMS ML-1023 (Lt C.S. Roberts) and HMS ML-1032 (Lt C.D. Searle) and landed at Beirut. (source: uboat.net)

    The Tower Hill Memorial

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    U-81 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Friedrich Guggenberger. In the course of the war he was credited with the sinking of 17 Allied Vessels. In November 1941 he attacked and sank the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal for which he was awarded the Knights Cross and was the recipient of the additional Oak Leaves in 1943.

    Friedrich Guggenberger

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    Friedrich Guggenberger - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  19. amberdog45

    amberdog45 Senior Member

    Had a quick look at link for the Humane Society research. It's £50 for 1st hour of research! Think I'll be cheaper getting a plane from Aberdeen to London to do the search myself. Definitely going to have to make a trip one day, especially to get over to Kew to look at some unit diaries. Will post the pouch when it arrives. Have a great day everyone.
     
  20. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    SS Robin Hood

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    At 03.38 hours, the unescorted and unarmed Robin Hood was hit on the starboard side by two torpedoes from U-575 while steaming on a zigzag course at 11 knots in rough seas about 300 miles southeast of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. The ship had been missed five hours earlier by a first torpedo. One torpedo struck amidships at the fireroom, killing one officer and two crewmen on watch below and caused a boiler explosion that lifted the deck up and folded it over. The next hit forward of the first and blew the hatch covers off the No.1 and No.2 holds and carried away the foremast. The vessel flooded rapidly, broke in two at No.3 hatch and sank within seven minutes. The most of the nine officers and 29 crewmen aboard abandoned ship in one lifeboat, but other three officers and eight more crewmen were lost. The survivors were picked up on 23 April by the Destroyer USS Greer and landed at Hamilton, Bermuda. (Source: uboat.net)

    U-575 was commanded by Kapitänleutnant Günther Heydemann. In the course of the war he was credited with the sinking of 8 Allied Ships and was awarded the Knights Cross in 1943.

    U-575 returning from a War patrol at St. Nazaire

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    Günther Heydemann

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    Kapitänleutnant Günther Heydemann - German U-boat Commanders of WWII - The Men of the Kriegsmarine - uboat.net
     

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