Ships hit by U-boats


Lochavon

British Motor merchant



NameLochavon
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage9,205 tons
Completed1938 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan, Glasgow 
OwnerRoyal Mail Lines Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack14 Oct 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-45 (Alexander Gelhaar)
Position50° 25'N, 13° 10'W - Grid BE 3366
Complement62 (0 dead and 62 survivors).
ConvoyKJF-3
RouteVancouver, BC - San Francisco - Los Angeles - Panama - Liverpool - Glasgow - Southampton 
CargoGeneral cargo, including 31,000 cases of dried fruit 
History Completed in July 1938 
Notes on event

In the morning on 14 October 1939, U-45 attacked the unescorted convoy KJF-3 about 230 miles southwest of Fastnet and reported the sinking of three big steamers. In fact two ships, Lochavon and Bretagne were sunk and the British steam merchant Karamea (10350 grt) was missed, because a torpedo detonated prematurely. The U-boat was lost later the same day.

The master, 55 crew members and six passengers from Lochavon (Master Charles Edward Rathkins) were picked up by HMS Ilex (D 61) (LtCdr P.L. Saumarez, RN) after eight hours and landed at Plymouth on 15 October.

 
On boardWe have details of 2 people who were on board


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