Ships hit by U-boats


West Imboden

American Steam merchant


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NameWest Imboden
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,751 tons
Completed1919 - Columbia River Shipbuilding Corp, Portland OR 
OwnerSeas Shipping Co Inc, New York 
HomeportPortland 
Date of attack21 Apr 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-752 (Karl-Ernst Schroeter)
Position41° 14'N, 65° 55'W - Grid CB 1677
Complement35 (0 dead and 35 survivors).
Convoy
RouteDurban - Port Elizabeth - Capetown - Trinidad - Boston, Massachusetts 
Cargo7357 tons of general cargo 
History Built for US Maritime Commission, Washington DC, later laid up as part of the reserve fleet. 
Notes on event

At 04.48 hours on 21 April 1942 the unescorted and unarmed West Imboden (Master Anton Anderson) was hit on the starboard side forward of the #1 hold by one of two torpedoes from U-752 about 175 miles east of Nantucket Lightship. The U-boat then surfaced, began shelling the ship and scored two hits before the eight officers and 27 crewmen abandoned ship in two lifeboats. In about two hours, the Germans fired over 35 shells into the ship, setting her on fire and then questioned the survivors, asking if anyone was killed. When the chief mate replied “No”, a German officer replied “That´s good, what ship?” and the U-boat left the area after receiving the answer. The survivors were picked up on 22 April by USS Bristol (DD 453) and landed them at Portland, Maine.

 
On boardWe have details of 3 people who were on board


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