Gretafield
British Steam tanker
The burning Gretafield
| Name | Gretafield | ||
| Type: | Steam tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 10,191 tons | ||
| Completed | 1928 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead | ||
| Owner | Hunting & Son Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | ||
| Homeport | Newcastle | ||
| Date of attack | 14 Feb 1940 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | A total loss by U-57 (Claus Korth) | ||
| Position | 58° 27'N, 2° 33'W - Grid AN 1671 | ||
| Complement | 41 (11 dead and 30 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | HX-18 (straggler) | ||
| Route | Curaçao (18 Jan) - Halifax (31 Jan) - Invergordon | ||
| Cargo | 13,000 tons of fuel oil | ||
| History | Completed in May 1928 | ||
| Notes on event | At 01.35 hours on 14 Feb 1940 the unescorted Gretafield (Master Ernst Derricks), a straggler from convoy HX-18, was hit by one G7a torpedo from U-57 southeast of Noss Head. The tanker caught fire after being hit aft by one G7e torpedo at 01.48 hours. Ten crew members and one gunner were lost. The master and 29 crew members were picked up by the British armed trawlers HMS Peggy Nutten (4.450) (Skipper J.C. Taylor) and HMS Strathalladale (4.458) and landed at Wick. The burning Gretafield drifted ashore at Dunbeath, Caithnesshire in 58°14´15N/03°25´45W. On 19 March, the tanker broke in two and was declared a total loss. | ||
| On board | We have details of 14 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.