Ships hit by U-boats


Thomas Walton

British Steam merchant



Thomas Walton docked at Puerto Liebig, Argentina. Photo courtesy of Charlie Adamson

NameThomas Walton
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,460 tons
Completed1917 - W. Gray & Co, West Hartlepool 
OwnerCoronation Steamship Co Ltd (Frank S. Dawson Ltd), Cardiff 
HomeportNewcastle 
Date of attack7 Dec 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-38 (Heinrich Liebe)
Position67° 52'N, 14° 28'E - Grid AF 3618
Complement44 (13 dead and 31 survivors).
Convoy
RoutePort Talbot - Narvik 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in November 1917 as Anglesea for Cardigan SS Co Ltd (Jenkins Bros), Cardiff. 1922 renamed Portgwarra for Portfield SS Co Ltd (W.E. Hinde & Co Ltd), Cardiff. 1932 renamed Thomas Walton for Coronation Steamship Co Ltd (Frank S. Dawson Ltd), Cardiff. 
Notes on event

At 17.09 hours on 7 Dec 1939, U-38 fired a spread of two G7a torpedoes at the unescorted Thomas Walton (Master Percy Dudley Townsend) inside Norwegian territorial waters south of Svolvaer and hit her with one torpedo forward of the bridge, causing the ship to break in two and sink. 13 crew members were lost. At 19.10 hours, the U-boat fired a G7e torpedo on the steamer that stopped to rescue the survivors but it became a circle runner that detonated at the shore after 8 minutes. Shortly after this attack they discovered that this was the German steam merchant Sebu, which picked up the master and 30 crew members and landed them at Bodo, Norway.

 
On boardWe have details of 16 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats