Ships hit by U-boats


Clan Skene

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameClan Skene
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,214 tons
Completed1919 - C. Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow 
OwnerThe Clan Line Steamers Ltd (Cayzer, Irvine & Co Ltd), London 
HomeportGlasgow 
Date of attack10 May 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-333 (Peter-Erich Cremer)
Position31° 43'N, 70° 43'W - Grid DC 6111
Complement82 (9 dead and 73 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBeira, Portuguese East Africa - Capetown (15 Apr) - New York 
Cargo2006 tons of chrome ore 
History Laid down as War Adder for The Shipping Controller, completed in January 1919 as Clan Skene for The Clan Line Steamers Ltd, London. 1920 renamed Halocrates for British & South America SN Co Ltd (R.P. Houston & Co), Liverpool. 1923 returned to previous owner and renamed Clan Skene
Notes on event

At 09.05 hours on 10 May 1942 the unescorted Clan Skene (Master Edward Gough) was hit by two torpedoes from U-333 and sank about 300 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras. The U-boat had been badly damaged by depth charges of an escort ship three days before and was limping back to France. Cremer wrote in the KTB, that the sinking of this ship was like .. a balm after these terrible depth charges.

Nine crew members from the Clan Skene were lost. The master and 72 survivors were picked up by USS McKean (APD 5) and landed at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


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