Ships hit by U-boats


City of Simla

British Steam passenger ship



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameCity of Simla
Type:Steam passenger ship
Tonnage10,138 tons
Completed1921 - W. Gray & Co (1918) Ltd, West Hartlepool 
OwnerEllerman Lines Ltd, London 
HomeportGlasgow 
Date of attack20 Sep 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-138 (Wolfgang Lüth)
Position55° 55'N, 8° 20'W - Grid AM 5365
Complement350 (3 dead and 347 survivors).
ConvoyOB-216
RouteLondon - Glasgow - Capetown - Bombay 
Cargo3000 tons of general cargo 
History Completed in November 1921 
Notes on event

At 21.20 hours on 20 Sep 1940, U-138 attacked convoy OB-216 52 miles northwest of Rathlin Island and reported three ships totalling 20.000 grt sunk. The three ships sunk were New Sevilla, Boka and City of Simla.

The City of Simla (Master Herbert Percival) remained afloat for a short time and sank later in 55°59N/08°16W. One crew member and two passengers were lost. 165 crew members and 153 passengers were rescued by the British steam merchant Guinean, transferred to HMS Vanquisher (D 54) (Lt A.P. Northey, RN) and landed at Londonderry two days later. 17 crew members and 12 passengers were picked up by the Belgian trawler Van Dyke and landed at Liverpool.

 
On boardWe have details of 130 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