Gustaf E. Reuter
Swedish Motor tanker
Photo courtesy of Sjöhistoriska Museet, Stockholm
| Name | Gustaf E. Reuter | ||
| Type: | Motor tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 6,336 tons | ||
| Completed | 1928 - Eriksbergs Mekaniske Verkstads A/B, Gothenburg | ||
| Owner | Rederi-A/B Reut (Hakon A. Reuter), Gothenburg | ||
| Homeport | Gothenburg | ||
| Date of attack | 27 Nov 1939 | Nationality:  Swedish | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-48 (Herbert Schultze) | ||
| Position | 59° 38'N, 2° 03'W - Grid AN 1452 | ||
| Complement | 34 (1 dead and 33 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Sweden - Haugesund, Norway - Curaçao | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in July 1928 | ||
| Notes on event | At 00.30 hours on 27 Nov 1939 the unescorted and neutral Gustaf E. Reuter (Master O. Larsson) was hit in the foreship by one torpedo from U-48 14 miles west-northwest from Fair Isle. The U-boat had spotted the illuminated tanker and a destroyer four hours earlier and missed the ship with a first torpedo at 23.32 hours on 26 November. The drifting tanker was found off Sumburgh Head by HMS Kingston Beryl (4.03) that took off eight survivors and transferred them to the tug HMS St. Mellons (W 81) from Kirkwall, which then took the ship in tow by the stern. The next day a gale parted the tow and broke off the bow of Gustaf E. Reuter. The master and 18 crew members were landed at Lerwick by the tug and were joined by 14 survivors who were rescued by the Lerwick lifeboat Lady Jane and Martha Ryland. The stern section had to be scuttled by a British warship, probably HMS Kingston Beryl, on 28 November. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
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