Rafaela
Dutch Steam tanker
| Name | Rafaela | ||
| Type: | Steam tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 3,177 tons | ||
| Completed | 1938 - Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | Curaçaosche Scheepvaart Mij., Emmastad | ||
| Homeport | Willemstad | ||
| Date of attack | 16 Feb 1942 | Nationality:  Dutch | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-67 (Günther Müller-Stöckheim) | ||
| Position | Grid EC 9625 | ||
| Complement | ? men (? dead and ? survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Maracaibo, Venezuela - Willemstad, Curaçao | ||
| Cargo | Crude oil | ||
| History | Completed in July 1938.
Post-war: Broken up at Hong Kong in March 1955. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 10.30 hours on 16 Feb, 1942, the Rafaela was hit amidships by one G7a torpedo from U-67 while lying at anchor about 1 mile off Willemstad, Curaçao. The ship had been missed by a spread of two torpedoes at 09.52 hours and a G7e torpedo at 10.11 hours. Also a coup de grâce fired at 10.52 hours did not hit and Müller-Stöckheim decided that the target was not worth another torpedo because the tanker was already badly damaged with a broken back. Later the same day, the Rafaela was towed into the St. Anna Bay by the tugs Parmo and Mico, but later broke in two and sank to the bottom. She was raised, repaired and returned to service after about four months. | ||
Location of attack on Rafaela.
ship damaged.
* Estimated position shown here is based on positions of losses in a roughly the same German grid code. It may be a bit off but should give a good idea as to where the attack took place.
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