Ships hit by U-boats


Goolistan

British Steam merchant



Photo from City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 447-2248.2

NameGoolistan
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,851 tons
Completed1929 - Short Bros Ltd, Pallion, Sunderland 
OwnerCommon Brothers Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
HomeportNewcastle 
Date of attack23 Nov 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-625 (Hans Benker)
Position75° 50'N, 15° 45'E - Grid AB 3692
Complement52 (52 dead - no survivors)
ConvoyQP-15
RouteArchangel (17 Nov) - Loch Ewe - Manchester 
CargoTimber and cellulose 
History Completed in April 1929 
Notes on event

At 00.56 hours on 23 Nov 1942 the unescorted Goolistan (Master William Thomson), a straggler from station #53 in convoy QP-15, was hit by one of two torpedoes from U-625 between Bear Island and Spitzbergen. The U-boat had spotted the ship one hour earlier and approached for a submerged attack, but experienced some difficulties due to the ice cold weather as important gauges were frozen, the periscope became stuck on twelve meters and the periscope head had to be constantly freed from ice by diving. The explosion set the cargo on fire and the crew began to abandon ship when she settled slowly. At 01.45 hours, the burning vessel sank after being hit underneath the bridge by a coup de grĂ¢ce at 01.18 hours. The Germans questioned the occupants of the lifeboats and were told that the master had remained aboard when they asked for him. However, the survivors were never found, the master, 41 crew members and ten gunners were lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 61 people who were on board


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