HMS Crispin
British Ocean boarding vessel
Crispin before the conversion to an OBV. Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | HMS Crispin | ||
| Type: | Ocean boarding vessel | ||
| Tonnage | 5,051 tons | ||
| Completed | 1935 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
| Homeport | Liverpool | ||
| Date of attack | 3 Feb 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-107 (Günter Hessler) | ||
| Position | 56° 38'N, 20° 05'W - Grid AL 0249 | ||
| Complement | 141 (20 dead and 121 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | OB-280 (dispersed) | ||
| Route | Liverpool (31 Jan) - North Atlantic - Liverpool | ||
| Cargo | |||
| History | Completed in March 1935 as steam merchant Crispin of Booth Steamship Co Ltd (Booth Line), Liverpool. In August 1940 requistioned by the Admiralty and converted to the ocean boarding vessel HMS Crispin, armed with two 6in guns and some light AA-guns. | ||
| Notes on event | At 23.33 hours on 3 Feb 1941, HMS Crispin (A/Cdr B. Moloney, DSO, DSC, RNR) was hit in the engine room by one torpedo from U-107 north-northwest of Rockall. The ship was just detached from the dispersed convoy OB-280 together with HMS Arbutus (K 86) (LtCdr H. Lloyd-Williams, RNVR), the British armed yacht HMS Philante and the British rescue ship Copeland (Master J. McKellar, OBE) to join convoy SC-20 on 4 February. HMS Crispin was abandoned and foundered the following day in 56°52N/20°22W. The commander, five officers and 14 ratings were lost. Eight survivors were picked up by the rescue ship and the remaining survivors by HMS Harvester (H 19) (LtCdr M. Thornton, DSC, RN) and landed at Liverpool. | ||
| On board | We have details of 22 people who were on board. | ||
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