Ships hit by U-boats


New Columbia

British Steam merchant


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NameNew Columbia
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,574 tons
Completed1920 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerElder Dempster Lines Ltd, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack31 Oct 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-68 (Albert Lauzemis)
Position04.25N, 05.03E - Grid EW 7199
Complement84 (0 dead and 84 survivors).
Convoy
RouteMatadi, Belgian Congo - Libreville, French Equatorial Africa (27 Sep) - Lagos 
Cargo5500 tons of African produce, including 2500 tons cotton, 1500 tons copper, 600 tons beer, 350 tons palm oil, 350 tons of copra, 100 tons of kernels, 100 tons of rice and mail 
History Launched as War Pageant for the Shipping Controller, completed in June 1920 as New Columbia for Elder Dempster Lines Ltd, Liverpool. 
Notes on loss

At 21.14 hours on 31 Oct, 1943, the unescorted New Columbia (Master Frederick Bradley Kent) was hit in the foreship by one FAT torpedo from U-68 southwest of Bingerville, Ivory Coast. She sank by the bow after being hit in the engine room by a second FAT torpedo at 21.44 hours. The master, 54 crew members, ten gunners and 19 Kroomen were picked up by the British merchant Conakrian and landed at Lagos. Lauzemis thought after he had questioned the crew that he had sunk the Troilus.

 

Location of attack on New Columbia.

ship sunk.


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