Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Bluebell (K 80)

British Corvette



NameHMS Bluebell (K 80)
Type:Corvette (Flower)
Tonnage925 tons
Completed1940 - Fleming & Ferguson Ltd, Paisley 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack17 Feb 1945Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-711 (Hans-Günther Lange)
Position69° 36'N, 35° 29'E - Grid AC 8942
Complement91 officers and men (90 dead and 1 survivor).
ConvoyRA-64
RouteKola Inlet - Loch Ewe 
Cargo 
History On 13 Feb 1945, HMS Bluebell (K 80) towed HMS Denbigh Castle (K 696) into Kola Inlet, after she was torpedoed by U-992 (Falke) while escorting the convoy JW-64
Notes on event

On 17 Feb 1945, HMS Bluebell (K 80) (Lt G.H. Walker, DSC, RNVR) was searching for U-boats off Kola Inlet ahead of convoy RA-64, which set out on this day. At 17.30 hours, she was struck in the stern by a Gnat from U-711 just after increasing speed after she apparently detected the U-boat about 30 miles east-northeast of Kildin Island. The corvette blew up as the hit detonated her depth charges and sank in less than 30 seconds. HMS Zest (R 02) (LtCdr R.B.N. Hicks, DSO, RN) arrived at the sinking position in about 10 minutes and her lookouts heard cries from about a dozen men swimming in the ice cold water, but could not stop due to the danger of being herself torpedoed. The destroyer commenced a search for the attacker until being relieved by HMS Opportune (G 80) (Cdr R.E.D. Ryder, VC, RN) and lowered a whaler at 17.53 hours. However, only one of three unconscious survivors recovered could be revived.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 91 people who were on board


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Media links


U-Boat Attack Logs

Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor


amazon.co.uk
(£ 38.25)

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