Ships hit by U-boats


Anna Knudsen

Norwegian Motor tanker



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameAnna Knudsen
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage9,057 tons
Completed1931 - A/B Götaverken, Gothenburg 
OwnerKnut Knutsen O.A.S., Haugesund 
HomeportHaugesund 
Date of attack9 Feb 1942Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateDamaged by U-586 (Dietrich von der Esch)
Position59° 50'N, 9° 40'W - Grid AM 2364
Complement23 (0 dead and 23 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSeydisfjord, Iceland (7 Feb) - Loch Ewe 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in December 1931

On 5 Oct 1943, the Anna Knudsen in convoy AP-47 was hit by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I-10 (Tonozuka) in the Gulf of Aden in 14°20N/50°47E. The tanker was en route from Aden to Abadan in ballast. Again the crew managed to take her to port, turning back to Aden. After temporary repairs in Suez, continued to Liverpool and returned to service in October 1944.

Post-war:
Broken up at Inverkeithing in March 1960. 
Notes on event

At 05.38 hours on 9 Feb 1942 the unescorted Anna Knudsen was hit by two torpedoes from U-586 northwest of Scotland, but the U-boat was chased away by the escorting HMS Paynter (FY 242) and HMS Thirlmere (FY 206). The tanker was disabled by a large hole in the stern and taken in tow by the tug HMS Freebooter (W 01) from Stornoway in 59°27N/09°45W on 10 February, but the tow parted the next day. On 12 February, HMS Tenacity (W 18) arrived and together towed the Anna Knudsen to Rothesay, arrving two days later under escort by the two trawlers. The tanker was repaired in Glasgow and returned to service in August 1942.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 16 people who were on board


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