Empire Barracuda
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | Empire Barracuda | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant (Hog Island) | ||
| Tonnage | 4,972 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - American International Shipbuilding Corp, Hog Island PA | ||
| Owner | Cunard White Star Ltd, Liverpool | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 15 Dec 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-77 (Heinrich Schonder) | ||
| Position | 35.30N, 06.17W - Grid CG 9843 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 52 (13 dead and 39 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Gibraltar - Capetown - Suez | ||
| Cargo | 5800 tons of naval and military stores, including munitions | ||
| History | Completed in January 1919 as Sacandaga for US Shipping Board (USSB), Philadelphia. 1932 renamed Black Heron for Black Diamond Lines Inc, New York. 1941 transferred to Britain and renamed Empire Barracuda by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). | ||
| Notes on loss | At 04.10 and 04.30 hours on 15 Dec, 1941, U-77 attacked a small escorted convoy of four ships 34 miles 310° from Cape Trafalgar and saw later a freighter in sinking condition after one hit and a tanker stopped after two. In fact only the Empire Barracuda (Master Frederick Ridley) was hit and sunk. Nine crew members and four gunners were lost. The master, 37 crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMS Coltsfoot (K 140) (LtCdr the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR) and landed at Gibraltar. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.