Ships hit by U-boats


Athellaird

British Motor tanker



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameAthellaird
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage8,999 tons
Completed1930 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead 
OwnerUnited Molasses Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack2 Jul 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-29 (Otto Schuhart)
Position47° 24'N, 16° 49'W - Grid BE 5368
Complement42 (0 dead and 42 survivors).
ConvoyOB-176 (dispersed)
RouteLiverpool (29 Jun) - Cuba 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in March 1930 
Notes on event

At 23.52 hours on 2 July 1940 the Athellaird (Master Hugh Roberts), dispersed earlier that day from convoy OB-176 in 48°N/15°04W, was hit amidships by one G7e stern torpedo from U-29 about 350 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre. At 02.10 hours on 3 July, a first G7a torpedo was fired as coup de grâce, which passed under the stopped tanker and this also happened with a second G7a torpedo. The Germans then fired a G7e torpedo that struck just before the bridge and caused the ship to sink in 15 minutes. The master and 41 crew members were picked up by HMS Sandwich (L 12) (Cdr M.J. Yeatman, RN) and landed at Greenock.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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