Circe Shell
British Motor tanker
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Circe Shell | ||
| Type: | Motor tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 8,207 tons | ||
| Completed | 1931 - Howaldtswerke AG, Hamburg | ||
| Owner | Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 21 Feb 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles) | ||
| Position | 11° 03'N, 62° 03'W - Grid ED 9739 | ||
| Complement | 58 (1 dead and 57 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | ON-60 (dispersed) | ||
| Route | Glasgow - Clyde - Trinidad | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in October 1931. Since 1940 in Admiralty service as Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA). | ||
| Notes on event | At 21.13 hours on 21 Feb 1942 the Circe Shell (Master John Thomas Sinclair), dispersed from convoy ON-60, was hit by two torpedoes from U-161 20 miles west-northwest of Port of Spain, Trinidad. The tanker developed a list but did not sink and due to three aircraft arriving at the scene, the U-boat had to wait for the night until a coup de grâce could be fired at 01.41 hours. The torpedo hit and caused the tanker to sink fast by the stern. One crew member was lost. The master, 51 crew members and five gunners were picked up by the British tug Busy and landed at Port of Spain, Trinidad on 23 February. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
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