Ships hit by U-boats


HMS Rosabelle

British Patrol yacht



Photo courtesy of Chris Brown

NameHMS Rosabelle
Type:Patrol yacht
Tonnage515 tons
Completed1902 - Ramage & Ferguson Ltd, Leith 
OwnerThe Admiralty 
HomeportLeith 
Date of attack11 Dec 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-374 (Unno von Fischel)
Position35° 59'N, 5° 17'W - Grid CG 9671
Complement42 (30 dead and 12 survivors).
Convoy
RouteGibraltar - patrol area 
Cargo 
History

Completed in January 1902 as steam yacht Rosabelle for Theodore Pim. In the First World War requisitioned as patrol yacht by the Admiralty and armed with one 3in and two 6pdr guns. In September 1939 purchased by the Admiralty and initially used as armed boarding vessel, later again as patrol yacht.

 
Notes on event

At 04.21 hours on 11 Dec 1941, HMS Lady Shirley (LtCdr A.H. Callaway, RANVR) was hit by one torpedo from U-374, exploded and sank with all hands. HMS Rosabelle (Lt Hercules S. Findlay, RNR) tried to locate the U-boat, but at 04.42 hours was also torpedoed and sank within 30 seconds in the Straits of Gibraltar. The commander, two officers and 27 ratings were lost. Three officers and nine ratings were picked up by the British patrol yacht HMS Sayonara (Cdr H.G. Gorton, Rtd) and landed at Gibraltar.

 
On boardWe have details of 31 people who were on board


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