Ships hit by U-boats


Sultan Star

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of John Robertson

NameSultan Star
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage12,306 tons
Completed1930 - Cammell Laird & Co Ltd, Birkenhead 
OwnerBlue Star Line Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack14 Feb 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-48 (Herbert Schultze)
Position48° 54'N, 10° 03'W - Grid BF 1855
Complement73 (1 dead and 72 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBuenos Aires (27 Jan) - Liverpool 
Cargo7803 tons of frozen meat, 1000 tons of butter and general cargo 
History Completed in February 1930 
Notes on event

At 16.55 hours on 14 Feb 1940, U-48 fired a G7e torpedo at the unescorted Sultan Star (Master William Henry Bevan) southwest of the Scilly Isles. The ship was struck on starboard side aft and sank by the stern with a heavy list after 20 minutes. One crewman was killed by the explosion. The survivors abandoned ship in the lifeboats, only the radio operator stayed in the wireless room until the last moment and was picked up by one of the boats after jumping overboard. He was later awarded the MBE and Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea.

The attack on Sultan Star was witnessed on the horizon by the destroyers in the screen of HMS Exeter (68) (Capt F.S. Bell, CB, RN), returning to the UK from the Battle of the River Plate. HMS Whitshed (D 77) (Cdr E.R. Conder, RN) was immediately sent to assist and arrived at the scene about 40 minutes after the torpedo hit. The destroyer located the U-boat and her attack was soon joined by HMS Vesper (D 55) (LtCdr W.F.E. Hussey, DSC, RN) and HMS Acasta (H 09) (Cdr C.E. Glasfurd, RN). They claimed the sinking of the U-boat, which in fact escaped undamaged at dusk and reported that 22 depth charges had been dropped. The survivors were then picked up by HMS Whitshed (D 77), the half of them later transferred to HMS Vesper (D 55) and all landed at Plymouth the next day.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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