Ships hit by U-boats


Vestfold

Panamanian Whale factory ship



Photo courtesy of Harold Appleyard

NameVestfold
Type:Whale factory ship
Tonnage14,547 tons
Completed1931 - Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill, Middlesbrough 
OwnerVestfold Corp (Johan Rasmussen & Co), Panama 
HomeportPanama 
Date of attack17 Jan 1943Nationality:      Panamanian
 
FateSunk by U-268 (Ernst Heydemann)
Position61° 25'N, 26° 12'W - Grid AD 8947
Complement75 (19 dead and 56 survivors).
ConvoyHX-222
RouteNew York - Halifax (8 Jan) - Clyde 
Cargo17.386 tons of fuel oil and 3 landing craft as deck cargo 
History Completed in July 1931 for Hvalfangers A/S Vestfold (Johan Rasmussen & Co), Sandefjord. 1934 transferred to Vestfold Whaling Co Ltd, London. 1935 transferred to Vestfold Corp (Johan Rasmussen & Co), Panama. 
Notes on event

At 16.00 hours on 17 Jan 1943 the Vestfold (Master Emil Haga) in convoy HX-222 was torpedoed by U-268 and abandoned by the crew and passengers while the engines were still running. Before the ship sank she ran uncontrolled in circles and almost collided with the British rescue ship Rathlin, which picked up the survivors and landed them at Liverpool.

The three British landing craft HMS LCT-2239, HMS LCT-2267 and HMS LCT-2344 (each 291 tons) on deck were lost with the vessel.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 9 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats