British Freedom
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | British Freedom | ||
| Type: | Motor tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 6.985 tons | ||
| Completed | 1928 - Palmers Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Jarrow and Hebburn-on-Tyne | ||
| Owner | British Tanker Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 14 Jan, 1945 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-1232 (Kurt Dobratz) | ||
| Position | 44.28N, 63.28W - Grid BB 7527 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 57 (1 dead and 56 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | BX-141 | ||
| Route | New York - UK | ||
| Cargo | 9723 tons of US Navy special fuel oil | ||
| History | At 15.07 hours on 27 Jun, 1942, the British Freedom (Master Frank Llewellyn Morris) in convoy KS-514 was torpedoed and damaged by U-701 (Degen) in position 34°45N/75°22W (grid DC 1231). No casualties among the crew of 55. The ship was en route in ballast and reached port safely. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 10.35 hours on 14 Jan, 1945, U-1232 attacked the convoy BX-141 east of Halifax, sank the British Freedom and badly damaged the Martin Van Buren six minutes later. The U-boat then sank the Athelviking and missed the HMCS Ettrick (K 254). Dobratz reported the sinking of four ships totalling 30.400 tons. One crew member from the British Freedom (Master Frank Llewellyn Morris) was lost. The master, 46 crew members and nine gunners were picked up by the HMCS Gaspe (J 94) (Lt A.J. Burke) and landed at Halifax. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.