Ships hit by U-boats


Helmspey

British Steam merchant



Photo from City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 447-2288

NameHelmspey
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,764 tons
Completed1931 - J.L. Thompson & Sons Ltd, North Sands, Sunderland 
OwnerE.R. Management Co Ltd, Cardiff 
HomeportCardiff 
Date of attack11 Feb 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-516 (Gerhard Wiebe)
Position34° 22'S, 24° 54'E - Grid KY 6267
Complement46 (5 dead and 41 survivors).
Convoy
RouteColombo - East London - UK 
Cargo2772 tons of tea, 2000 tons of manganese ore, 1457 tons of rubber and 464 tons of general cargo 
History Completed in January 1931 
Notes on event

At 06.52 hours on 11 February 1943 the unescorted Helmspey (Master Harry Jones) was torpedoed by U-516 and sunk at 07.12 hours by coup de grĂ¢ce 11 miles south of Cape St. Francis, Cape Colony. Four crew members were lost. The master, 31 crew members, eight gunners and two passengers (naval ratings) were picked up by the SAAF crash launch R-4 and landed at Port Elizabeth, where one crew member died of injuries in a hospital.

 
On boardWe have details of 6 people who were on board


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