Ships hit by U-boats


Rafaela

Dutch Steam tanker



NameRafaela
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage3,177 tons
Completed1938 - Blythswood Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Glasgow 
OwnerCuraçaosche Scheepvaart Mij., Emmastad 
HomeportWillemstad 
Date of attack16 Feb 1942Nationality:      Dutch
 
FateDamaged by U-67 (Günther Müller-Stöckheim)
Position12° 06'N, 68° 58'W - Grid EC 9625
Complement? men (? dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteMaracaibo, Venezuela - Willemstad, Curaçao 
CargoCrude oil 
History Completed in July 1938.

Post-war:
Broken up at Hong Kong in March 1955. 
Notes on event

At 10.30 hours on 16 February 1942 the Rafaela was hit amidships by one G7a torpedo from U-67 while lying at anchor about 1 mile off Willemstad, Curaçao. The ship had been missed by a spread of two torpedoes at 09.52 hours and a G7e torpedo at 10.11 hours. Also a coup de grâce fired at 10.52 hours did not hit and Müller-Stöckheim decided that the target was not worth another torpedo because the tanker was already badly damaged with a broken back. Later the same day, the Rafaela was towed into the St. Anna Bay by the tugs Parmo and Mico, but later broke in two and sank to the bottom. She was raised, repaired and returned to service after about four months.

 


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