Phemius
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Phemius | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 7.406 tons | ||
| Completed | 1921 - Scott´s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Greenock | ||
| Owner | Alfred Holt & Co, Liverpool | ||
| Homeport | Liverpool | ||
| Date of attack | 20 Dec, 1943 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-515 (Werner Henke) | ||
| Position | 05.01N, 00.47E - Grid EV 8134 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 116 (23 dead and 93 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Liverpool - Glasgow - Takoradi (19 Dec) - Lagos - Beira | ||
| Cargo | 4544 tons of government stores and general cargo, including mail | ||
| History | In November 1932, the Phemius (Master Evans) encountered a severe hurricane in the Carribean and for six days took a severe pounding eventually losing her funnel, but she safely reached Kingston, Jamaica. A temporary funnel was fitted and she sailed to Hong Kong where a new funnel was installed. During 1942, the Phemius (Master J.L.W. Johnstone) operated between Port Said and Malta in the Mediterranean. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 00.00 hours on 20 Dec, 1943, the unescorted Phemius (Master Thomas Arthur Kent OBE) was torpedoed by U-515 about 30 miles south of Accra, Gold Coast and sunk by a Gnat coup de grâce. Three crew members, one gunner and 19 passengers were lost. The radio officer was taken prisoner by the U-boat. The master, 67 crew members, ten gunners and 14 passengers were picked up by FFL Commandant Drogou (J 3040) and landed at Takoradi on 20 December. | ||
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