Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Seal

British Motor merchant


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameEmpire Seal
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage7,965 tons
Completed1922 - Merchant Shipbuilding Corp, Chester PA 
OwnerWalter Runciman & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack19 Feb 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-96 (Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock)
Position43° 14'N, 64° 45'W - Grid BB 7753
Complement57 (1 dead and 56 survivors).
Convoy
RouteNew York - Halifax - Belfast 
Cargo4500 tons of steel 
History Completed in May 1922 as Californian for American-Hawaiian SS Co, New York. 1940 given to Britain and renamed Empire Kite by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). Later that year renamed Empire Seal.  
Notes on event

At 23.29 hours on 19 Feb 1942 the unescorted Empire Seal (Master Arthur Charles Kyle) was hit in the foreship by one G7e torpedo from U-96 southeast of Sable Island. The ship settled by the bow, but did not sink, so a coup de grĂ¢ce was fired at 00.03 hours on 20 February. The torpedo hit aft and caused her to sink immediately. One crew member was lost. The master, 43 crew members, eleven gunners and the US pilot were picked up by the British CAM ship Empire Flame and landed at Halifax.

 
On boardWe have details of 56 people who were on board


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