Ships hit by U-boats


Luna

Norwegian Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameLuna
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage959 tons
Completed1911 - Laxevaags Maskin & Jernskibsbyggeri, Bergen 
OwnerDet Bergenske D/S A/S, Bergen 
HomeportBergen 
Date of attack31 Dec 1939Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-32 (Paul Büchel)
Position58° 48'N, 3° 20'E - Grid AN 4319
Complement? men (0 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteLondon - Trondheim 
CargoGeneral cargo, including rubber hose, zinc plates and hessian cloth 
History Completed in June 1911

On 14 Aug 1917, the Luna (Master Trygve Eckhoff) was hit by a torpedo from UC-63 (Heydebreck) about 17 miles north of Humber Lightvessel. She was en route from Trondheim to London with a cargo of lumber and abandoned by the crew after the explosion. The mess girl was killed and two crewmen injured. The ship was later reboarded and taken in tow by a British tug to Cleethorpes Sands near Grimsby and beached. Luna was taken over by The Shipping Controller, repaired in Hull and returned to service managed by W. Coupland & Co Ltd. 1919 returned to owners.

 
Notes on event

At 19.47 hours on 31 Dec 1939 the neutral and unescorted Luna was hit aft by one torpedo from U-32 and sank slowly by the stern. The Germans reported that the nationality markings were not visible in the dark. The crew was picked up by the Norwegian steam merchant Colombia and taken to Kopervik.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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