Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Firedrake (H 79)

British Destroyer



Photo from Imperial War Museum (IWM), FL-10040

NameHMS Firedrake (H 79)
Type:Destroyer (F-class)
Tonnage1,350 tons
Completed1935 - Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd, High Walker Yard, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
Homeport 
Date of attack17 Dec 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-211 (Karl Hause)
Position50° 50'N, 25° 15'W - Grid BD 3335
Complement196 officers and men (170 dead and 26 survivors).
ConvoyON-153
RouteLondonderry - New York 
Cargo 
History Completed in May 1935 
Notes on event

At 01.15 hours on 17 Dec 1942, HMS Firedrake (H 79) (Cdr E.H. Tilden, DSC, RN) was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-211 while escorting convoy ON-153 in the North Atlantic and broke in two. The bow sank immediately, but the stern remained afloat for some hours, finally sinking in the heavy weather. The commander, five officers and 163 ratings were lost. 27 survivors were picked up after about 5 hours by HMS Sunflower (K 41) (LtCdr J.T. Jones, RNR), but one rating later died of wounds.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 196 people who were on board


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Media links


U-Boat Attack Logs

Daniel Morgan and Bruce Taylor


amazon.co.uk
(£ 38.25)

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