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Allied Ships hit by U-boats


Lady Nelson


Canadian Military Photgraph

NameLady Nelson
Type:Steam passenger ship
Tonnage7.970 tons
Completed1928 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead 
OwnerCanadian National Steamships Ltd, Montreal 
HomeportHalifax 
Date of attack10 Mar, 1942Nationality:      Canadian
 
FateDamaged by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles)
PositionGrid ED 6913 - See estimated map location (13.46N60.06W) *
Complement235 (25 dead and 210 survivors).
Convoy 
RouteSt. Lucia - Georgetown 
CargoGeneral cargo and foodstuffs 
History

In October 1939, the Lady Nelson was requisitioned by the Royal Canadian Navy as ocean boarding vessel (OBV), but the conversion was not completed and the ship was returned to owner.

On 22 Apr, 1943, the Lady Nelson was commissioned as hospital ship for 518 patients. 1946 decommissioned and used as troop transport. In October 1946 returned to owner and resumed service until November 1952. Broken up in 1968.

 
Notes on loss

At 04.49 hours on 10 Mar, 1942, U-161 fired two torpedoes into the harbour of Port Castries, St. Lucia. The first torpedo hit the Lady Nelson, which caught fire and sank by the stern in shallow waters. The second torpedo struck the Umtata, which sank by the stern. However, both vessels were later salvaged and repaired.

Three crew members and 15 passengers of the 116 crew members, 110 passengers and two gunners aboard Lady Nelson and seven dockworkers were lost.
On 16 April, the ship was salvaged, temporarily repaired and left for Mobile on 11 May.

 

* Estimated position shown here is based on positions of losses in a roughly the same German grid code. It may be a bit off but should give a good idea as to where the attack took place.


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