Coimbra
Coimbra
| Name | Coimbra | ||
| Type: | Steam tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 6.768 tons | ||
| Completed | 1937 - Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel | ||
| Owner | Socony Vacuum Transportation Co Ltd, Montreal | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 15 Jan, 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-123 (Reinhard Hardegen) | ||
| Position | 40.25N, 72.21W - Grid CA 2896 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 46 (36 dead and 10 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York - UK | ||
| Cargo | 9000 tons of lubricating oil | ||
| History | Standard Transportation Co Ltd, Hong Kong | ||
| Notes on loss | At 09.41 hours on 15 Jan, 1942, the unescorted Coimbra (Master John Patrick Barnard) was hit by one torpedo from U-123, which had spotted the lights of the tanker astern while the U-boat was proceeding eastbound following the southern shore of Long Island. The torpedo struck on the starboard side just aft of the superstructure. A huge towering explosion lit up the night sky and the cargo of oil quickly caught fire and spread across the water. Residents from the Hamptons on Long Island could see the fire at sea 27 miles away and alerted the authorities. A second torpedo hit the tanker and her stern immediately sank, striking the sea floor. Like his previous victim, the Norness, the bow of the Coimbra was sticking out of the water. Hardegen suggested that, it was a good thing that my wrecks were partly sticking out of the water. Otherwise how would other ships find the harbor?. The tanker later sank completely. The master, 29 crew members and six gunners were lost. Ten survivors, six of them wounded were rescued from the rough seas. Two crew members were picked up by the American destroyer USS Rowan (DD 405) and landed at Argentia, Newfoundland. The remaining survivors were rescued by another American destroyer and landed at St.Johns. | ||
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