Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Kingsley

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of National Maritime Museum

NameEmpire Kingsley
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,996 tons
Completed1941 - Greenock Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock 
OwnerChristian Salvesen & Co, Edinburgh 
HomeportGreenock 
Date of attack22 Mar 1945Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-315 (Herbert Zoller)
Position50° 08'N, 5° 51'W - Grid BF 2432
Complement57 (8 dead and 49 survivors).
ConvoyTBC-103
RouteGhent - Manchester 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in December 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and managed by Sir R. Ropner & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool. 1944 transferred to Christian Salvesen & Co, Edinburgh. 
Notes on event

On 22 March 1945, U-315 attacked convoy TBC-103 northwest of Lands End with a spread of LUT torpedoes, reported one ship sunk and heard two detonations after running times of 8 minutes 27 seconds and 8 minutes 35 seconds. However, only the Empire Kingsley (Master David Hunter) was hit and sunk. Eight crew members were lost. The master, 38 crew members and ten gunners were picked up by the British armed trawler HMS Fir (Lt W.H. Buley) and transferred to the Sennen lifeboat.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats