Ships hit by U-boats


Phemius

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NamePhemius
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage7,406 tons
Completed1921 - Scott´s Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Greenock 
OwnerAlfred Holt & Co, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack20 Dec 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-515 (Werner Henke)
Position5° 01'N, 0° 47'E - Grid EV 8134
Complement117 (24 dead and 93 survivors).
Convoy
RouteLiverpool - Glasgow - Takoradi (19 Dec) - Lagos - Beira 
Cargo4544 tons of government stores and general cargo, including mail 
History Completed in November 1921

In November 1932 the Phemius (Master Evans) encountered a severe hurricane in the Caribbean and for six days took a severe pounding eventually losing her funnel, but she safely reached Kingston, Jamaica. A temporary funnel was fitted and she sailed to Hong Kong where a new funnel was installed. In 1942 the Phemius (Master J.L.W. Johnstone) operated between Port Said and Malta in the Mediterranean. 
Notes on event

At 00.00 hours on 20 Dec 1943 the unescorted Phemius (Master Thomas Arthur Kent, OBE) was torpedoed by U-515 about 30 miles south of Accra, Gold Coast and sunk by a Gnat as coup de grâce. Four crew members, one gunner and 19 passengers were lost. The radio officer was taken prisoner by the U-boat. The master, 67 crew members, ten gunners and 14 passengers were picked up by FFL Commandant Drogou (K 195) and landed at Takoradi on 20 December.

 
On boardWe have details of 27 people who were on board


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