Ships hit by U-boats


Dunster Grange

British Motor merchant



Photo courtesy of Paul Johnson Collection

NameDunster Grange
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage9,494 tons
Completed1928 - Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Glasgow 
OwnerHoulder Brothers & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack22 May 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateDamaged by U-37 (Victor Oehrn)
Position49° 20'N, 8° 40'W - Grid BF 1597
Complement? men (0 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteLa Plata - Montevideo - Cape Verde Islands - Liverpool 
CargoGeneral cargo 
History Completed in January 1928

Post-war:
1951 sold to Finland and renamed Vaasa for A. Korhonen. 1958 sold to Japan and renamed Kinyo Maru for Hokuyo Suisan KK, Tokyo. 1963 renamed Yoko Maru for Nippon Suisan KK. Broken up at Aioi in May 1974. 
Notes on event

After 22.00 hours on 22 May 1940 the unescorted Dunster Grange was attacked by U-37 with four torpedoes south of Ireland. The first torpedo with magnetic fuze passed underneath the ship without detonating and the second torpedo detonated prematurely, alarming the crew of the ship which evaded the next two torpedoes. The U-boat then attacked with the deck gun and scored a hit with the first round, but accurate return fire forced the Germans to give up the attack and the Dunster Grange safely arrived at Liverpool on 24 May. Her radio messages alerted HMS Montrose (D 01) (Cdr C.R.L. Parry, RN), HMS Wakeful (H 88) (LtCdr R.L. Fisher, RN), HMS Vanquisher (D 54) (LtCdr C.B. Alers-Hankey, RN) and HMS Deptford (L 53) (LtCdr G.A. Thring, RN), which unsuccessfully searched the area for the attacker.

 


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