Ships hit by U-boats


K.G. Meldahl

Norwegian Steam merchant



NameK.G. Meldahl
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,799 tons
Completed1938 - Fredriksstad Mekaniske Verksted A/S, Fredrikstad 
OwnerKaare K. Rasmussens Rederi A/S, Sandefjord 
HomeportSandefjord 
Date of attack10 Nov 1942Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-181 (Wolfgang Lüth)
Position34° 59'S, 29° 45'E - Grid KZ 4681
Complement33 (2 dead and 31 survivors).
Convoy
RouteNew York (20 Sep) - Port of Spain - Capetown (7 Nov) - Bombay 
CargoGovernment and general cargo, including 750 tons of ammunition and aircraft in crates as deck cargo 
History Completed in September 1938 
Notes on event

At 08.27 hours on 10 Nov 1942 the unescorted K.G. Meldahl (Master Torjus Emil Johnsen) was hit on the starboard side in the engine room by one G7a torpedo from U-181 and sank after 9 minutes about 160 miles southeast of East London, South Africa. The ship had been missed with a G7a torpedo at 02.03 hours and again with a spread of two stern torpedoes at 02.42 hours. The U-boat was then noticed and needed 5 hours to get into a favorable attack position again.

Two men died on watch below. The master, 27 crew members and two gunners abandoned ship in three lifeboats and were questioned by the Germans. The boats were later spotted by an aircraft which directed a South African minesweeper to their position. The survivors were picked up three days after the sinking and taken to Port Elisabeth.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 33 people who were on board


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