Ships hit by U-boats


King Edward

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameKing Edward
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,224 tons
Completed1919 - Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerDodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack27 Dec 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-356 (Günther Ruppelt)
Position47° 25'N, 25° 20'W - Grid BD 63
Complement48 (23 dead and 25 survivors).
ConvoyONS-154
RouteHull - Loch Ewe (19 Dec) - New York 
CargoBallast 
History Launched as War Terrier, completed in September 1919 as Gorala for British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London. 1924 renamed King Edward for Dodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London. 
Notes on event

About 02.40 hours on 27 Dec 1942 the Empire Union and Melrose Abbey in convoy ONS-154 were torpedoed and sunk north-northeast of the Azores. About 03.10 hours, the Soekaboemi and King Edward were also hit. All ships must have been torpedoed by U-356, which was herself lost after the attacks.

19 crew members and four gunner from King Edward (Master James Herbert Ewens) were lost. The master, 15 crew members and four gunners were picked up by the Toward (Master Gordon K. Hudson) and landed at Halifax on 9 January. Five crew members were rescued by HMCS Napanee (K 118) (Lt S. Henderson, RCNR) and landed at St. Johns.

 
On boardWe have details of 26 people who were on board


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