Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Dunvegan Castle

British Armed Merchant Cruiser



NameHMS Dunvegan Castle
Type:Armed Merchant Cruiser
Tonnage15,007 tons (one of the largest ships sunk).
Completed1936 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack27 Aug 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-46 (Engelbert Endrass)
Position55° 05'N, 11° 00'W - Grid AM 5482
Complement277 (27 dead and 250 survivors).
ConvoySL-43
RouteFreetown (11 Aug) - Belfast 
Cargo 
History Completed in August 1936 as motor passenger ship for Union-Castle Mail SS Co Ltd, London. On 7 Sep 1939, requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Dunvegan Castle until 20 December. 
Notes on event

At 21.47 hours on 27 Aug 1940, HMS Dunvegan Castle (Capt H. Ardill (retired), RN), escorting convoy SL-43, was hit aft of the bridge by one torpedo from U-46 about 120 miles southwest of Cape Clear. As the ship continued, the U-boat fired two further torpedoes at 22.12 and 22.51 hours, which hit the engine room and just before the bridge. The vessel stopped, caught fire and foundered the next day in 54°54N/11°W. Three officers and 24 ratings were lost. The commander and 249 crew members (twelve of them wounded) were picked up by HMS Harvester (H 19) (LtCdr M. Thornton, RN) and HMS Primrose (K 91) and landed in Scotland.

 
On boardWe have details of 34 people who were on board


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