HMS Dunvegan Castle

| Name | HMS Dunvegan Castle | ||
| Type: | Armed Merchant Cruiser | ||
| Tonnage | 15.007 tons (one of the largest ships sunk). | ||
| Completed | 1936 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 27 Aug, 1940 | Nationality: | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-46 (Engelbert Endrass) | ||
| Position | 55.05N, 11.00W - Grid AM 5482 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 277 (27 dead and 250 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | SL-43 | ||
| Route | Freetown (11 Aug) - Belfast | ||
| Cargo | |||
| History | Completed in August 1936 as motor passenger ship for Union-Castle Mail SS Co Ltd, London. On 7 Sep, 1939, requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle until 20 December. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 21.47 hours on 27 Aug, 1940, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt H. Ardill (retired), RN), escorting convoy SL-43, was hit aft of the bridge by one torpedo from U-46 about 120 miles southwest of Cape Clear. As the ship continued, the U-boat fired two further torpedoes at 22.12 and 22.51 hours, which hit the engine room and just before the bridge. The vessel stopped, caught fire and foundered the next day in 54°54N/11°W. Three officers and 24 ratings were lost. The commander and 249 crew members (twelve of them wounded) were picked up by HMS Harvester (H 19) (LtCdr M. Thornton, RN) and HMS Primrose (K 91) and landed in Scotland. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.
