Ships hit by U-boats


Highland Patriot

British Motor passenger ship



NameHighland Patriot
Type:Motor passenger ship
Tonnage14,172 tons
Completed1932 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerRoyal Mail Lines Ltd, London 
HomeportBelfast 
Date of attack1 Oct 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-38 (Heinrich Liebe)
Position52° 20'N, 19° 04'W - Grid AL 9424
Complement172 (3 dead and 169 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBuenos Aires - Glasgow 
Cargo5700 tons of general and refrigerated cargo 
History Completed in May 1932

On 29 Dec 1939, the unescorted Highland Patriot was attacked in error by Fresnel off the Canary Islands. The French submarine thought the ship was a German blockade runner, but was driven away by gunfire. No damage on either side.

 
Notes on event

At 06.47 hours on 1 Oct 1940 the unescorted Highland Patriot (Master Robert Henry Robinson) was hit amidships by two G7e torpedoes from U-38 about 500 miles west of Bishop Rock. At 07.08 hours, the abandoned ship was hit by a G7a coup de grĂ¢ce, caught fire and sank. Three crew members were lost. The master, 135 crew members and 33 passengers were picked up by HMS Wellington (L 65) (Cdr. R.E. Hyde-Smith, RN) and landed at Greenock.

 
On boardWe have details of 7 people who were on board


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