Ships hit by U-boats


King Frederick

British Steam merchant



Photo from City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 447-2363

NameKing Frederick
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,265 tons
Completed1920 - Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co Ltd, Kowloon, Hong Kong 
OwnerDodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack19 Jul 1944Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-181 (Kurt Freiwald)
Position9° 29'N, 71° 45'E - Grid MS 7974
Complement56 (27 dead and 29 survivors).
Convoy
RouteHaifa - Port Said - Aden - Colombo - Calcutta 
Cargo6600 tons of salt and mail 
History Laid down as War Sceptre for The Shipping Controller, completed in March 1920 as Greek Trialos for N.E. Ambatielos, Argostoli. 1923 sold to Britain and renamed King Frederick for Dodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London. 
Notes on event

At 17.03 hours on 19 July 1944 the unescorted King Frederick (Master Richard John Esslemont) was hit by one torpedo from U-181 in the Nine Degree Channel in the Arabian Sea. The wreck was later dispersed. 20 crew members, five gunners and two passengers (military personnel) were lost. The master, 27 crew members and one gunner abandoned ship and were questioned by the Germans. The survivors were picked up by the British Liberty ship Samshee and landed at Aden.

 
On boardWe have details of 28 people who were on board


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