Ships hit by U-boats


Aldergrove

British Steam merchant



Aldergrove under her former name Elba. Photo courtesy of Rick Cox Collection

NameAldergrove
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,974 tons
Completed1918 - Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock 
OwnerDavid Alexander & Sons, Glasgow 
HomeportGlasgow 
Date of attack23 Aug 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-201 (Adalbert Schnee)
Position40° 43'N, 11° 39'W - Grid CG 2771
Complement39 (1 dead and 38 survivors).
ConvoyOG-71
RouteCardiff - Lisbon 
Cargo2650 tons of patent fuel 
History Completed in July 1918 as Glenpark for Denholm Line of Steamers Ltd, Greenock. 1932 renamed Elba for Clydesdale Shipowners (Glen & Co Ltd), Glasgow. 1940 renamed Aldergrove for Grove Line Ltd (David Alexander & Sons), Glasgow. 
Notes on event

At 02.14 hours on 23 Aug 1941, U-201 fired a spread of four torpedoes at convoy OG-71 northwest of Lisbon and saw one hit on a freighter and two on a tanker which sank burning after 15 minutes. Two minutes later a stern torpedo was fired and a detonation heard. Schnee claimed two ships with 9000 grt sunk and two with 12,000 grt damaged. In fact, only the Stork and Aldergrove were sunk in this attack.

The master, 32 crew members and five gunners from the Aldergrove (Master Hugh William McLean) were picked up from the lifeboats after two hours by HMS Campanula (K 18) (LtCdr R.V.E. Case, DSC, RNR) and landed at Gibraltar the next day. The only passenger (a naval rating) was lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 2 people who were on board


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