Ships hit by U-boats


Michael Jebsen

British Steam merchant


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NameMichael Jebsen
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage2,323 tons
Completed1927 - Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel 
OwnerDavid Alexander & Sons, Glasgow 
HomeportHull 
Date of attack14 Aug 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-598 (Gottfried Holtorf)
Position21° 45'N, 76° 10'W - Grid DN 4782
Complement47 (7 dead and 40 survivors).
ConvoyTAW-12J
RouteBarbados - Trinidad (8 Aug) - UK 
Cargo2750 tons of sugar 
History Completed in May 1927 as Danish Michael Jebsen for Rhederi M. Jebsen A/S, Aabenraa. 1940 taken over by Britain and transferred to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 11.54 and 11.55 hours on 14 August 1942, U-598 fired two spreads of two torpedoes at convoy TAW-12J northwest of Barlovento Point, Cuba and reported misses. At 11.57 hours, the stern torpedo was fired and a detonation was heard. No other U-boat attacked at this time, so the first spread must have hit the Michael Jebsen, which sank immediately. One torpedo of the second spread damaged the Standella, after missing the ship of convoy commodore, the Empire Corporal, which was then sunk by the stern torpedo.

The master, 34 crew members and five gunners from the Michael Jebsen (Master R. Nielsen) were picked up by USS SC-498, transferred to USS Fletcher (DD 445) (LtCdr W.M. Cole, USN) and landed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Seven crew members were lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 8 people who were on board


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