Thirlby
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Thirlby | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4.887 tons | ||
| Completed | 1928 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool | ||
| Owner | Sir R. Ropner & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool | ||
| Homeport | West Hartlepool | ||
| Date of attack | 23 Jan, 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-109 (Heinrich Bleichrodt) | ||
| Position | 43.20N, 66.15W - Grid BA 9956 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 46 (5 dead and 41 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | SC-66 (straggler) | ||
| Route | New York - Halifax (23 Jan) - Loch Ewe | ||
| Cargo | 7600 tons of maize | ||
| History | Completed in February 1928 At 06.01 hours on 3 Apr, 1941, the Thirlby, dispersed from convoy SC-26, was hit in the stern by a G7a stern torpedo from U-69 (Metzler) in 58°22N/28°55W. The Germans reported that the target sank immediately, however the ship which was en route from St. John, New Brunswick to Hull with a cargo of wheat did not sink and was later repaired. Two of 40 men on board were lost. Earlier that night, the Thirlby in station #12 of the convoy had probably been hit by a dud from U-46 (Endrass) and was on 10 April further damaged by a bomb from a German aircraft. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 08.12 hours on 23 Jan, 1942, the Thirlby (Master Peter Edward Birch), a straggler from convoy SC-66, was hit by a stern torpedo from U-109 and sank by the stern after 10 minutes 12 miles 240° from Seal Island, Cape Sable. Five crew members were lost. The master, 30 crew members, nine gunners and the US pilot were picked up by the American steam merchant Belle Isle and landed at Halifax. The U-boat misidentified the victim as Greek steam merchant Andreas (6566 grt) by an intercepted radio message. | ||
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