Ships hit by U-boats


William Wilberforce

British Motor merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameWilliam Wilberforce
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage5,004 tons
Completed1930 - D. & W. Henderson & Co Ltd, Glasgow 
OwnerElder Dempster Lines Ltd, Liverpool 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack9 Jan 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-511 (Fritz Schneewind)
Position29° 20'N, 26° 53'W - Grid DG 9116
Complement63 (3 dead and 60 survivors).
Convoy
RouteLagos - Takoradi - Hampton Roads - Liverpool 
Cargo5054 tons of West African produce, including palm kernels, palm oil and rubber 
History Completed in May 1930 
Notes on event

At 21.42 hours on 9 Jan 1943 the unescorted William Wilberforce (Master John William Andrew) was torpedoed and sunk by U-511 west of the Canary Islands. Three crew members were lost. The master, 41 crew members, six gunners and twelve passengers were picked up by the Spanish motor merchant Monte Arnabal and landed at Las Palmas.

 
On boardWe have details of 7 people who were on board


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