Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Byron

British Steam merchant


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameEmpire Byron
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,645 tons
Completed1941 - Bartram & Sons Ltd, South Dock, Sunderland 
OwnerJ. & C. Harrison Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack5 Jul 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-703 (Heinz Bielfeld)
Position76.18N, 33.30E - Grid AC 2625
Complement70 (7 dead and 63 survivors).
ConvoyPQ-17 (straggler)
RouteHull - Reykjavik (27 Jun) - Archangel 
Cargo2455 tons of military stores, 6 vehicles, 30 tanks and 15 aircraft 
History Built for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) 
Notes on loss

On 4 Jul, 1942, the Empire Byron (Master John Wharton MBE) in convoy PQ-17 was torpedoed by a German He111 torpedo bomber of II./KG 26 and fell behind the convoy, where she was sunk by a coup de grāce by U-703 at 08.27 hours the next day. Three crew members, three gunners and one passenger were lost. The master, 45 crew members and 16 gunners were picked up by HMS Dianella (K 07) (Lt J. Rankin) and landed at Archangel on 16 July.
Another passenger, Capt J. Rimington (Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers) was taken prisoner and landed at Narvik on 15 July.

 
CrewlistsWe have listing of 9 people who were on this vessel 

Location of attack on Empire Byron.

ship sunk.


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats