Ships hit by U-boats


Brabant

Belgian Motor merchant



NameBrabant
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage2,483 tons
Completed1938 - John Cockerill SA, Hoboken, Antwerp 
OwnerArmement Deppe, Antwerp 
HomeportAntwerp 
Date of attack14 May 1942Nationality:      Belgian
 
FateSunk by U-155 (Adolf Cornelius Piening)
Position11° 32'N, 62° 43'W - Grid ED 9489
Complement33 (21 dead and 12 survivors).
Convoy
RouteGlasgow - Port of Spain, Trinidad (13 May) - CuraƧao 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in September 1938 
Notes on event

At 04.00 hours on 14 May 1942 the unescorted Brabant (Master Michel Hostens) was hit on the starboard side between fore mast and the bridge by one G7e torpedo from U-155 while steaming on a non-evasive course at 10.5 knots in clear weather about 25 miles east-northeast of Los Testigos Islands, Venezuela. The U-boat had initially tried to attack submerged after spotting the vessel six hours earlier, but then surfaced to overtake it when they could not see enough in the dark night and eventually attacked without ever been noticed. The Brabant immediately settled by the bow after being hit and sank turning over to port within five minutes, too fast for the crew of 27 men, four gunners (the ship was armed with one 4in and six machine guns) and two passengers to launch the lifeboats or send a distress signal. Only eleven crew members and one gunner managed to rescue themselves on a raft that floated free, were picked up by Glittre and landed in Trinidad on 16 May.

 
On boardWe have details of 33 people who were on board


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