At 22.21 hours on 31 Oct, 1942, the unescorted Aldington Court (Master Alfred Stuart) was torpedoed and sunk by U-172 west of Port Nolloth, South West Africa. The master, second officer, second radio officer, and gunner who had remained on board, jumped into the water as the ship rolled over and sank. They were picked up by the lifeboats, but only one lifeboat was later found by a passing steamer. The master, 23 crew members and nine gunners were lost. The first officer was taken prisoner by U-172.
Seven crew members and three gunners were picked up by the British merchant City of Christiania and landed at Montevideo on 25 November. In the lifeboat, as the steamer was sighted, they attempted three times to use smoke floats to attract its attention; these either malfunctioned or had no effect. The steamer was finally attracted when the third officer climbed a mast and waved a shirt.