Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Thrush

British Steam merchant



Empire Thrush under her former name Lorain. Photo courtesy of Steamship Historical Society (http://www.sshsa.org)

NameEmpire Thrush
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,160 tons
Completed1919 - Federal Shipbuilding Co, Kearny NJ 
OwnerCanadian Pacific Steamships Ltd, Montreal 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack14 Apr 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-203 (Rolf Mützelburg)
Position35° 08'N, 75° 18'W - Grid CA 7968
Complement55 (0 dead and 55 survivors).
Convoy
RouteTampa, Florida - Halifax - River Mersey 
Cargo5000 tons of rock phosphate, 740 tons of TNT and 2800 tons of citrous pulp 
History Completed in May 1919 as Lorain for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1937 laid up as reserve. 1942 transferred to Britain and renamed Empire Thrush for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 15.15 hours on 14 April 1942 the unescorted Empire Thrush (Master George Frisk) was hit aft by one G7a torpedo from U-203 and sank slowly by the stern about 8 miles north of Diamond Shoals off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The master, 47 crew members and seven gunners were picked up by the American Q-ship USS Asterion (AK 100) (LtCdr G.W. Legwen, Jr.) which had witnessed the attack on the horizon and arrived at the scene after about two hours. On 18 April, the survivors were landed at Norfolk, Virginia.

 
On boardWe have details of 3 people who were on board


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