Empire Merchant
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| Name | Empire Merchant | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,864 tons | ||
| Completed | 1938 - Deutsche Werft AG, Betrieb Finkenwärder, Hamburg | ||
| Owner | Kaye, Son & Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 16 Aug 1940 | Nationality: | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-100 (Joachim Schepke) | ||
| Position | 55.21N, 13.40W - Grid AM 4611 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 55 (7 dead and 48 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | OA-198 (straggler) | ||
| Route | Avonmouth - Kingston, Jamaica | ||
| Cargo | 200 tons of general cargo and mail | ||
| History | Completed in July 1938 as German Pomona for F. Laeisz, Hamburg. On 3 Sep, 1939, seized by Britain in the London docks and was renamed Empire Merchant by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). | ||
| Notes on loss | At 09.27 hours on 16 Aug, 1940, the Empire Merchant (Master Benjamin Walton Smith), a straggler from convoy OA-198, was hit by two G7e torpedoes from U-100 and capsized 186 miles west of Bloody Foreland. The wreck later foundered in 55°23N/13°24W. Six crew members and one gunner were lost. The master, 38 crew members, one gunner and eight passengers were picked up by HMS Salvonia (W 43) (Lt G.M.M. Robinson, RNR) and landed at Greenock. | ||
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