Ships hit by U-boats


Leto

Dutch Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameLeto
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,712 tons
Completed1929 - NV Rotterdamsche Droogdok Mij, Rotterdam 
OwnerMij. Zeevaart NV (Hudig & Veder), Rotterdam 
HomeportRotterdam 
Date of attack12 May 1942Nationality:      Dutch
 
FateSunk by U-553 (Karl Thurmann)
Position49° 32'N, 65° 19'W - Grid BB 1476
Complement53 (12 dead and 41 survivors).
Convoy
RouteMontreal (10 May) - Quebec - Halifax - UK 
CargoGrain 
History Completed in January 1930 
Notes on event

At 08.28 hours on 12 May 1942 the unescorted Leto (Master E.H. van der Veen) was hit by one torpedo from U-553 about eight miles north of Cape de la Madeleine. The torpedo struck in the engine room, wrecking the engine, killing the first engineer and ten crewmen and causing the ship to sink in a short time.

In Quebec, the ship had taken four maritime officers as passengers on board. They were from the Dutch motor tanker Oscilla, which had been sunk by the Italian submarine Morosini (Fraternale) on 16 March 1942. One of them, the first mate, was rescued from a piece of wood but died later of hypothermia.

 
On boardWe have details of 43 people who were on board


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