Ships hit by U-boats


Varild

Norwegian Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Norsk Maritimt Museum

NameVarild
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,085 tons
Completed1910 - A/S Bergens Mekaniske Verksteder, Bergen 
OwnerEgil Næsheim A/S, Haugesund 
HomeportHaugesund 
Date of attack24 Jan 1940Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-23 (Otto Kretschmer)
Position59° 27'N, 0° 24'W - Grid AN 2658
Complement15 (15 dead - no survivors)
Convoy
RouteDrammen - Horten (22 Jan) - Sunderland 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in July 1910 as Gaula for Kulkompagniet af 1871, Bergen. 1929 renamed Varild for Egil Næsheim A/S, Haugesund. 
Notes on event

At 19.08 hours on 24 January 1940, U-23 fired a G7e torpedo at a small steamer and observed a hit amidships on the port side and the sinking of the vessel in 45 seconds about 40 miles east of Fair Isle. At 20.20 hours the day before, the U-boat had spotted the ship, but then two attacks failed because first the torpedo was stuck in the tube and a G7e torpedo fired at 22.13 hours became a circle runner. Its victim was very likely the unescorted and neutral Varild (Master David Humlebrekk) which was reported missing en route from Norway to the UK.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 15 people who were on board


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