Ships hit by U-boats


Manchester Citizen

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameManchester Citizen
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,343 tons
Completed1925 - Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill, Middlesbrough 
OwnerManchester Liners Ltd (Furness, Withy & Co Ltd), Manchester 
HomeportManchester 
Date of attack9 Jul 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-508 (Georg Staats)
Position5° 50'N, 2° 22'E - Grid EV 6729
Complement104 (29 dead and 75 survivors).
ConvoyST-71
RouteFreetown (3 Jul) - Lagos 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in August 1925 
Notes on event

At 02.43 hours on 9 July 1943, U-508 attacked convoy ST-71 60 miles southwest of Lagos in the Gulf of Benin and torpedoed the De la Salle and Manchester Citizen. The ships were sunk by coups de grĂ¢ce at 04.25 and 04.52 hours.

Twelve members, two gunners and 14 Krooboys from the Manchester Citizen (Master George Stanley Swales) were lost. The master, 44 crew members, eight gunners and 23 Krooboys were picked up by FFL Commandant Detroyat (K 183) and landed at Lagos, but one gunner had died of injuries shortly after being rescued.

 
On boardWe have details of 16 people who were on board


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