Ships hit by U-boats


Bronte

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales

NameBronte
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,317 tons
Completed1919 - A. McMillan & Son Ltd, Dumbarton 
OwnerLamport & Holt Ltd, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack27 Oct 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-34 (Wilhelm Rollmann)
Position49° 30'N, 12° 15'W - Grid BE 1452
Complement42 (0 dead and 42 survivors).
ConvoyOB-25
RouteLiverpool (26 Oct) - Halifax - Rosario 
CargoGeneral cargo, including chemicals 
History Laid down as War Coney for The Shipping Controller, completed in June 1919 as Bronte for Lamport & Holt Ltd, Liverpool. 
Notes on event

At 19.30 hours on 27 Oct 1939, U-34 attacked convoy OB-25 180 miles west of Lands End and torpedoed the Bronte. At 21.01 hours, the U-boat attacked a second time and claimed one steamer with 4666 tons sunk, but this is not confirmed by Allied sources.

The Bronte (Master Samuel James Connolly) was taken in tow, but had to be sunk on 30 October by gunfire from HMS Walpole (D 41) (LtCdr A.F. Burnell-Nugent, RN) and HMS Whirlwind (D 30) (LtCdr M.B. Ewart-Wentworth, RN) in position 50°07N/10°36W. The master and 41 crew members were picked up by HMS Walpole (D 41) and landed at Liverpool on 31 October.

 


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