Phidias
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Phidias | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5.623 tons | ||
| Completed | 1913 - A. McMillan & Son Ltd, Dumbarton | ||
| Owner | Lamport & Holt Ltd, Liverpool | ||
| Homeport | Liverpool | ||
| Date of attack | 9 Jun, 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-46 (Engelbert Endrass) | ||
| Position | 48.25N, 26.12W - Grid BD 6242 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 51 (8 dead and 43 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | OB-330 (dispersed) | ||
| Route | Greenock - Capetown | ||
| Cargo | 3500 tons of government stores, including ammunition and 14 aircraft | ||
| History | Completed in May 1913 | ||
| Notes on loss | At 00.01 hours on 9 Jun, 1941, the Phidias (Master Ernest Holden Parks), dispersed from convoy OB-330, was hit by one torpedo from U-46 north of the Azores, but it did not explode. The U-boat was now out of torpedoes, so they opened fire at 00.10 hours with the deck gun. The ship first fought back, but soon she caught fire and stopped shooting because the crew abandoned ship. At 00.45 hours, the U-boat ceased fire after firing 71 rounds and left the burning and sinking wreck. The master and seven crew members were killed. 40 crew members and three gunners were picked up by Embassage and landed at Sydney. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.