Ships hit by U-boats


Vaalaren

Swedish Motor merchant



Photo courtesy of Krister Bång

NameVaalaren
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage3,406 tons
Completed1936 - Eriksbergs Mekaniske Verkstads A/B, Gothenburg 
OwnerRederi-A/B Transatlantic, Gothenburg 
HomeportGothenburg 
Date of attack5 Apr 1943Nationality:      Swedish
 
FateSunk by U-229 (Robert Schetelig)
Position58° 00'N, 34° 00'W - Grid AK 0193
Complement45 (45 dead - no survivors)
ConvoyHX-231 (romper)
RouteNew York (25 Mar) - Swansea - Belfast Lough 
Cargo4915 tons of general cargo 
History Completed in September 1936 
Notes on event

At 05.09 hours on 5 April 1943, U-229 hit a ship reported as a freighter of the Glenearn type with one torpedo. The U-boat had seen the ship leaving a convoy, chased and sank it. This must have been the Vaalaren, which had left convoy HX-231 deliberately after the first U-boat attack during the night, together Blitar and Thomas Sumpter but only the latter arrived in the UK. The Germans observed a lifeboat leaving the sinking ship but no survivors were rescued. The master, 37 crew members and seven passengers were lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 45 people who were on board


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