Aldergrove
British Steam merchant
Aldergrove under her former name Elba. Photo courtesy of Rick Cox Collection
| Name | Aldergrove | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 1,974 tons | ||
| Completed | 1918 - Greenock & Grangemouth Dockyard Co Ltd, Greenock | ||
| Owner | David Alexander & Sons, Glasgow | ||
| Homeport | Glasgow | ||
| Date of attack | 23 Aug 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-201 (Adalbert Schnee) | ||
| Position | 40° 43'N, 11° 39'W - Grid CG 2771 | ||
| Complement | 39 (1 dead and 38 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | OG-71 | ||
| Route | Cardiff - Lisbon | ||
| Cargo | 2650 tons of patent fuel | ||
| History | Completed in July 1918 as Glenpark for Denholm Line of Steamers Ltd, Greenock. 1932 renamed Elba for Clydesdale Shipowners (Glen & Co Ltd), Glasgow. 1940 renamed Aldergrove for Grove Line Ltd (David Alexander & Sons), Glasgow. | ||
| Notes on event | At 02.14 hours on 23 Aug 1941, U-201 fired a spread of four torpedoes at convoy OG-71 northwest of Lisbon and saw one hit on a freighter and two on a tanker which sank burning after 15 minutes. Two minutes later a stern torpedo was fired and a detonation heard. Schnee claimed two ships with 9000 grt sunk and two with 12,000 grt damaged. In fact, only the Stork and Aldergrove were sunk in this attack. The master, 32 crew members and five gunners from the Aldergrove (Master Hugh William McLean) were picked up from the lifeboats after two hours by HMS Campanula (K 18) (LtCdr R.V.E. Case, DSC, RNR) and landed at Gibraltar the next day. The only passenger (a naval rating) was lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
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