Rio Blanco
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Rio Blanco | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,086 tons | ||
| Completed | 1922 - Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd, Blyth | ||
| Owner | Thompson Steamshipping Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 1 Apr 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-160 (Georg Lassen) | ||
| Position | 35.16N, 74.18W - Grid CA 8776 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 40 (19 dead and 21 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | St. Thomas, Virgin Islands (16 Mar) - Hampton Roads - UK | ||
| Cargo | 6440 tons of iron ore | ||
| History | Completed in February 1922 | ||
| Notes on loss | At 16.22 hours on 1 Apr, 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. 18 crew members and one gunner were lost. The master, nine crew members and two gunners were picked up by HMS Hertfordshire (FY 176) (Cdr J.A. Shater, (retired), RN) and landed at Norfolk, Virginia. Nine crew members were picked up by HMCS Niagara (I 57) (LtCdr R.F. Harris, RCNR) and landed at Halifax. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.