Carperby
British Steam merchant
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Carperby | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,890 tons | ||
| Completed | 1928 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool | ||
| Owner | Sir R. Ropner & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool | ||
| Homeport | West Hartlepool | ||
| Date of attack | 1 Mar 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-588 (Victor Vogel) | ||
| Position | 39° 57'N, 55° 40'W - Grid CC 4110 | ||
| Complement | 47 (47 dead - no survivors) | ||
| Convoy | ON-66 (dispersed) | ||
| Route | Tyne (21 Jan) – Methil – Oban (14 Feb) - St. Vincent - Buenos Aires | ||
| Cargo | 2009 tons of coal and 3262 tons of coke | ||
| History | Completed in June 1928. On 1 Jun 1941, the Carperby was badly damaged in a collision with another ship when en route from Takoradi to Freetown. Three crew members were killed. She made it to Freetown and after temporary repairs continued to Hampton Roads, arriving on 30 September. Returned to service in November 1941. | ||
| Notes on event | At 02.00 hours on 1 March 1942 the unescorted Carperby (Master Frederick Gardiner), dispersed from convoy ON-66 on 26 February, was hit underneath the bridge by one G7e torpedo from U-588 about 520 miles southeast of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The U-boat had chased the ship for three hours and the Germans observed how she stopped with a slight list after being hit, but did not sink. After distress signals were heard from the ship with her name and position, a coup de grâce was fired at 02.18 hours. The torpedo struck Caperby in the foreship and caused the ship to sink quickly by the bow after capsizing. The master, 40 crew members and six gunners were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 47 people who were on board. | ||
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