Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Lytton

British Steam tanker



The burning Empire Lytton

NameEmpire Lytton
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage9,807 tons
Completed1942 - Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill, Middlesbrough 
OwnerHarris & Dixon Ltd, London 
HomeportMiddlesbrough 
Date of attack9 Jan 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-442 (Hans-Joachim Hesse)
Position28° 08'N, 28° 20'W - Grid DG 8635
Complement48 (15 dead and 33 survivors).
ConvoyTM-1
RouteCuraƧao - Trinidad - Gibraltar 
Cargo12,500 tons of aviation spirit 
History Completed in August 1942 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) 
Notes on event

At 07.27 hours on 9 January 1943, U-442 attacked convoy TM-1 west of the Canary Islands and claimed hits on two tankers, but in fact only one torpedo had hit the Empire Lytton (Master John William Andrews). The chief officer, ten crew members and four gunners were lost. The master, 30 crew members and three gunners were picked up by HMS Saxifrage (K 04) (Lt N.L. Knight, RNR) and landed at Gibraltar. HMS Havelock (H 88) (Cdr R.C. Boyle, DSC, RN) failed to sink the wreck with gunfire.

At 14.50 hours on 9 January, U-442 found the drifting tanker and torpedoed her again, but the tanker remained afloat and only sank after a further torpedo hit at 19.38 hours.

 
On boardWe have details of 22 people who were on board


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