Ships hit by U-boats


Pontypridd

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Rick Cox Collection

NamePontypridd
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,458 tons
Completed1924 - Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Howden-on-Tyne 
OwnerR.E. Morel & Co Ltd, Cardiff 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack11 Jun 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-94 (Otto Ites)
Position49° 50'N, 41° 37'W - Grid BC 3542
Complement48 (2 dead and 46 survivors).
ConvoyONS-100 (straggler)
RouteImmingham - Loch Ewe - Father Point - Sydney 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in August 1924 
Notes on event

At 14.46 hours on 11 June 1942 the unescorted Pontypridd (Master Herbert Vivian Bradley Morden), a straggler from convoy ONS-100, was hit in the bow by one torpedo from U-569 (Hinsch) and buckled amidships after being hit by a coup de grâce from the same U-boat.

At 16.06 hours, U-94 fired a coup de grâce at the abandoned Pontypridd, which sank at 17.07 hours northeast of St. John’s, Newfoundland. Two crew members were lost. The master was taken prisoner by U-569, landed at La Pallice on 28 June and was taken to the POW camp Milag Nord. 42 crew members and three gunners were picked up by HMCS Chambly (K 116) (Cdr J.D. Prentice, RCN) and landed at St. John’s.

 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board

Attack entries for Pontypridd

DateU-boatCommanderLoss typeTonsNat.
11 Jun 1942U-569Kptlt. Hans-Peter HinschDamaged4,458  
11 Jun 1942U-94Oblt. Otto ItesSunk4,458  


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