Sheaf Crown
British Steam merchant
Photo courtesy of Ken Appleby
| Name | Sheaf Crown | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,868 tons | ||
| Completed | 1929 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool | ||
| Owner | W.A. Souter & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne | ||
| Homeport | Newcastle | ||
| Date of attack | 4 Mar 1943 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-160 (Georg Lassen) | ||
| Position | 31° 49'S, 31° 11'E - Grid KZ 2442 | ||
| Complement | 48 (3 dead and 45 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | DN-21 | ||
| Route | New York - Durban - Aden - Alexandria | ||
| Cargo | Government stores, including 2000 tons of explosives | ||
| History | Completed in September 1929 Post-war: 1947 renamed Kedros for Lykiardopulo & Co Ltd, London. 1950 sold to Italy and renamed Maria Lauretana for Sicula Cosina. Broken up at La Spezia in April 1960. | ||
| Notes on event | At 03.46 hours on 4 March 1943, U-160 fired two torpedoes at convoy DN-21 east-northeast of East London and hit two ships after 1 minute 6 seconds and 1 minute 14 seconds. The Marietta E. was sunk and Sheaf Crown damaged. The Sheaf Crown (Master Cornelius Webster Oliver) was hit on the port side in #1 hold, caught fire and was quickly abandoned by the crew as it was feared that the flames reached the cargo of explosives. One crew member and two gunners were lost. The survivors were picked up by HMS Sondra (FY 345) (T/Lt W.P. Hart, RNR) and taken to Durban. Sheaf Crown was taken in tow to East London after three days and eventually returned to service after being repaired. | ||
| On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.