Lake Osweya
American Motor merchant
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| Name | Lake Osweya | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 2,398 tons | ||
| Completed | 1918 - Saginaw Shipbuilding Co, Saginaw MI | ||
| Owner | Ford Motor Co, Detroit MI | ||
| Homeport | Detroit | ||
| Date of attack | 20 Feb 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-96 (Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock) | ||
| Position | 43° 14'N, 64° 45'W - Grid BB 7884 | ||
| Complement | 39 (39 dead - no survivors) | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York - Halifax - Reykjavik | ||
| Cargo | General cargo | ||
| History | | ||
| Notes on event | On 19 Feb 1942 the unescorted Lake Osweya (Master Karl E. Prinz) followed three miles behind the Empire Seal, while they approached Halifax. When the British ship was sunk by U-96 at 23.29 hours, the Lake Osweya tried to escape by changing course and zigzagging. But at 04.53 hours on 20 February, the vessel was struck amidships by one torpedo fired by U-96 from a distance of 500 yards, broke in two and sank quickly by the bow. Lehmann-Willenbrock reported that three lifeboats were launched, but none of the eight officers, 22 crewmen and nine armed guards (the ship was armed with two 3in guns) were ever found. | ||
| On board | We have details of 39 people who were on board. | ||
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