Ships hit by U-boats


Castilla

Honduran Steam merchant


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


NameCastilla
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,910 tons
Completed1927 - Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerMayan SS Co (United Fruit Co), Tela 
HomeportTela 
Date of attack7 Jun 1942Nationality:      Honduran
 
FateSunk by U-107 (Harald Gelhaus)
Position20° 15'N, 83° 18'W - Grid DM 7521
Complement59 (24 dead and 35 survivors).
Convoy
RouteMobile - Kingston, Jamaica 
CargoFlour 
History Completed in March 1927 
Notes on event

At 04.08 hours on 7 June 1942 the unescorted Castilla (Master Davis B. Kerr) was struck by one torpedo from U-107 on the port side just forward of the #3 hatch. An uncontrollable fire broke out below the waterline in this hatch. The ship settled by the head at once with a list to port and then settled by the stern and sank with the bow straight up. She sank so quickly that there was no time to launch the lifeboats, only four rafts were released. At 13.40 hours, the U-boat approached the sinking position, spotted three rafts and took a buoy of the ship aboard for identification.

The master, 20 crew members, two armed guards were lost. One crew member died later on a raft and was buried at sea. 28 crew members, five armed guards and two passengers were picked up by USS Nike (WPC 112) after six days in position 21°03N/83°30W and were landed at Key West.

 
On boardWe have details of 27 people who were on board


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