Ships hit by U-boats


Loch Maddy

British Steam merchant



Photo from City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 260-977

NameLoch Maddy
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,996 tons
Completed1934 - Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow 
OwnerMaclay & McIntyre Ltd, Glasgow 
HomeportGlasgow 
Date of attack22 Feb 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateA total loss by U-23 (Otto Kretschmer)
Position58° 45'N, 2° 24'W - Grid AN 1651
Complement39 (4 dead and 35 survivors).
ConvoyHX-19 (straggler)
RouteVancouver - Victoria, BC (30 Dec) - Panama - Halifax (7 Feb) - Leith 
Cargo2000 tons of wheat, 6000 tons of timber and aircraft 
History Completed in September 1934 
Notes on event

At 18.09 hours on 21 February 1940 the unescorted Loch Maddy (Master William James Park), a straggler from convoy HX-19, was hit on starboard side amidships in the engine room by one G7e torpedo from U-57 (Korth) and was abandoned about 20 miles south-southeast of Copinsay, Orkney Islands. Four crew members were lost. The master and 34 crew members were picked up by HMS Diana (H 49) (LtCdr E.G. Le Geyt, RN) and landed at Scapa Flow.

At 01.07 hours on 22 February, the drifting Loch Maddy was hit on port side amidships by one G7e torpedo from U-23 as coup de grĂ¢ce about 12 miles southeast of Copinsay and broke in two. The bow section slowly sank vertically, but the stern section remained afloat on the cargo of timber, was later taken in tow by the tug HMS St. Mellons (W 81) (Lt H. King) and beached in the Inganess Bay, Orkney Islands. The cargo was salvaged and the vessel declared a total loss.

 
On boardWe have details of 6 people who were on board

Attack entries for Loch Maddy

DateU-boatCommanderLoss typeTonsNat.
21 Feb 1940U-57Kptlt. Claus KorthDamaged4,996  
22 Feb 1940U-23Kptlt. Otto KretschmerTotal loss4,996  


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