Ships hit by U-boats


Eli Knudsen

Norwegian Motor tanker



NameEli Knudsen
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage9,026 tons
Completed1925 - Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Glasgow 
OwnerKnut Knutsen O.A.S., Haugesund 
HomeportHaugesund 
Date of attack22 Jun 1940Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-32 (Hans Jenisch)
Position50° 36'N, 8° 44'W - Grid BF 1237
Complement37 (0 dead and 37 survivors).
ConvoyHX-49 (dispersed)
RouteAruba - UK 
Cargo1300 tons of diesel and fuel oil 
History Delivered to owner as O.A. Knudsen and was renamed Eli Knudsen in April 1937 when a new ship was taking over her name. 
Notes on event

The Eli Knudsen (Master Mathias Midbøe) had been in convoy HX-49, which was dispersed approx. 100 miles southwest of Cape Clear after U-47 had torpedoed the San Fernando in the middle of convoy at 20.07 hours on 21 June 1940.
At 03.36 hours the next day, U-32 torpedoed the Eli Knudsen (one of the slowest ships in convoy). All crew members abandoned ship in lifeboats and were picked up a few hours later by HMS Sandwich and taken to Liverpool. The tanker remained afloat and an attempt was made the next day to tow her to port, but she sank on 24 June in tow of the British tanker Corinda at 50.36N/07.51W.

 
On boardWe have details of 37 people who were on board. 


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