Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Gem

British Motor tanker


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameEmpire Gem
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage8,139 tons
Completed1941 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan, Glasgow 
OwnerBritish Tanker Co Ltd, London 
HomeportGlasgow 
Date of attack24 Jan 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-66 (Richard Zapp)
Position35° 06'N, 74° 58'W - Grid CA 7968
Complement51 (49 dead and 2 survivors).
Convoy
RoutePort Arthur, Texas - Halifax - UK 
Cargo10.692 tons of motor spirit and 920 tons of machinery 
History Completed in October 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) 
Notes on event

At 02.40 hours on 24 Jan 1942 the unescorted Empire Gem (Master Francis Reginald Broad) was hit amidships and aft by two torpedoes from U-66 15 mile southeast of the Diamond Shoals buoy off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The tanker immediately caught fire and later broke in two and sank in 35°02N/75°33W. 43 crew members and six gunners were lost. The master and the radio operator were picked up by a US Coast Guard vessel and landed at Hatteras Inlet on 25 January.

 
On boardWe have details of 51 people who were on board


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