Ships hit by U-boats


Rio Blanco

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameRio Blanco
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,086 tons
Completed1922 - Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd, Blyth 
OwnerThompson Steamshipping Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack1 Apr 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-160 (Georg Lassen)
Position35° 16'N, 74° 18'W - Grid CA 8776
Complement40 (19 dead and 21 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSt. Thomas, Virgin Islands (16 Mar) - Hampton Roads - UK 
Cargo6440 tons of iron ore 
History Completed in February 1922 
Notes on event

At 16.22 hours on 1 April 1942 the unescorted Rio Blanco (Master Aiden Blackett) was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-160 and sank about 60 miles east of Cape Hatteras. Nine crew members were lost in the sinking and nine other crew members and one gunner died of exposure in the lifeboats. The master, seven crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMS Hertfordshire (FY 176) (Cdr J.A. Shater, RN) on 15 April and landed at Norfolk, Virginia. Eleven crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMCS Niagara (I 57) (LtCdr R.F. Harris, RCNR) on 14 April and landed at Halifax two days later.

 
On boardWe have details of 33 people who were on board


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