Star of Suez
Egyptian Steam merchant
Star of Suez under her former name Marthara
| Name | Star of Suez | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,999 tons | ||
| Completed | 1926 - D. & W. Henderson & Co Ltd, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | Alexandria Navigation Co Ltd (Red Rose Line), Alexandria | ||
| Homeport | Alexandria | ||
| Date of attack | 15 Dec 1942 | Nationality:  Egyptian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-159 (Helmut Witte) | ||
| Position | 00.42S, 29.34W - Grid FC 3725 | ||
| Complement | 42 (2 dead and 40 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York - Trinidad - Table Bay - Suez | ||
| Cargo | 6000 tons of war materials, including 1200 tons of explosives, 50 tons of paper and replacement parts for aircraft and trucks | ||
| History | Completed in January 1926 as British Marthara for Maclay & McIntyre, Glasgow. 1938 sold to Egpyt and renamed Star of Suez for Alexandria Navigation Co Ltd (Red Rose Line), Alexandria. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 14.20 hours on 15 Dec, 1942, the unescorted Star of Suez was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-159 and sank after 17 minutes. The U-boat had spotted the ship at 12.07 hours and almost at the same time U-134 (Schendel), which also tried to get into a firing position since 10.55 hours. Witte questioned the survivors in the lifeboats and recovered 45 aircraft tires, a 20 hp electric motor and 120 grapefruits from the flotsam. The other U-boat joined them at the sinking position and took also aircraft tires and replacement parts for cars on board. | ||
Location of attack on Star of Suez.
ship sunk.
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