Ships hit by U-boats


Bibury

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameBibury
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,616 tons
Completed1929 - R. Duncan & Co Ltd, Port Glasgow 
OwnerAlexander Capper & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack31 Aug 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-59 (Joachim Matz)
Position55° 51'N, 10° 55'W - Grid AM 5157
Complement39 (39 dead - no survivors)
ConvoyOB-205 (dispersed)
RouteCardiff (23 Aug) - Milford Haven (28 Aug) - Buenos Aires 
Cargo7465 tons of coal 
History Completed in November 1929 
Notes on event

At 02.06 hours on 31 August 1940, U-59 fired a spread of two G7e torpedoes at a ship in a group of three freighters which were dispersed from convoy OB-205 on 30 August. The ship was hit by both torpedoes on the port side ahead of amidships, immediately developed a heavy list to port and sank by the bow in 5 minutes with the stern raising vertically out of the water. This was most likely the Bibury (Master James Ellerby Hunter) that was reported missing after convoy was dispersed. The master, 37 crew members and one gunner were lost. For a long time it was thought that she had been sunk by a German raider, but the body of a crew member was washed ashore at Tobermory on 21 September.

 
On boardWe have details of 39 people who were on board


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