Ships hit by U-boats


Refast

British Steam tanker



Refast under her former name Gulflight

NameRefast
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage5,189 tons
Completed1914 - New York Shipbuilding Corp, Camden NJ 
OwnerHarris & Dixon Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack26 Jan 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-582 (Werner Schulte)
Position42° 41'N, 53° 02'W - Grid CC 2125
Complement42 (10 dead and 32 survivors).
ConvoyON-56 (dispersed)
RouteLondon (3 Jan) - Loch Ewe (12 Jan) - Baton Rouge 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in August 1914 as Gulflight for Gulf Oil Co, New York.
At 12.50 hours on 1 May 1915, the neutral tanker was torpedoed and badly damaged by U-30 (von Rosenberg-Grusczyski) in the approaches of the English Channel while en route from Port Arthur, Texas to Rouen with a cargo of motor spirit. Three lives were lost. She was the first American ship to be attacked in the First World War.

1937 renamed Nantucket Chief for Nantucket Chief SS Co Inc, Port Arthur TX. 1938 sold to Britain and renamed Refast
Notes on event

At 18.58 hours on 26 Jan 1942 the Refast (Master Arthur Ernest Wilson), dispersed on 16 January from convoy ON-56, was torpedoed by U-582 south of St. Johns. The ship sank by the stern at 19.15 hours after being hit by two coups de grĂ¢ce at 19.07 and 19.08 hours. Ten crew members were lost. The master, 27 crew members and four gunners were picked up by the British steam merchant Mariposa and landed at Halifax the next day.

 
On boardWe have details of 11 people who were on board


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