Ships hit by U-boats


Swiftpool

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameSwiftpool
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,205 tons
Completed1929 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool 
OwnerSir R. Ropner & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool 
HomeportWest Hartlepool 
Date of attack5 Aug 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-372 (Heinz-Joachim Neumann)
Position53° 03'N, 16° 00'W - Grid AL 9392
Complement44 (42 dead and 2 survivors).
ConvoySL-81
RoutePepel - Freetown (15 Jul) - Middlesbrough 
Cargo8000 tons of iron ore 
History Completed in August 1929 
Notes on event

Between 01.50 and 01.59 hours on 5 August 1941, U-372 fired four single torpedoes at ships in convoy SL-81 west of Ireland. First the stern torpedo struck the Belgravian, which burned out and sank the next day. Neumann reported that the second torpedo missed the intended target but exploded on a ship beyond, the third torpedo was a dud and the fourth hit an ammunition freighter, which exploded and sank by the bow in 50 seconds. The ship missed was the British steam merchant Volturno, but a hit on another ship is not confirmed. The ship sunk was the Swiftpool.

The master, 35 crew members and five gunners from the Swiftpool (Master Harry Raymond Clark) were lost. Three crew members were picked up by HMS Bluebell (K 80) (LtCdr R.E. Sherwood, RNR), but one of them died of exposure and was buried at sea the next day. The survivors were landed at Greenock.

 
On boardWe have details of 42 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