Ships hit by U-boats


Merkur

Estonian Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Sjöhistoriska Museet, Stockholm

NameMerkur
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,291 tons
Completed1913 - A. Vuijk & Zonen, Capelle an der Ijssel 
OwnerJ. Rang, Tallinn 
HomeportTallinn 
Date of attack30 Jun 1940Nationality:      Estonian
 
FateSunk by U-26 (Heinz Scheringer)
Position48° 26'N, 10° 58'W - Grid BF 1784
Complement17 (4 dead and 13 survivors).
Convoy
RouteLisbon (25 Jun) - Garston - Acton Grange 
CargoPit props 
History Completed in January 1913 as Dutch Yssel for NV Houtvaart (Vinke & Co), Rotterdam. 1936 sold to Estonia and renamed Merkur
Notes on event

At 19.30 hours on 30 June 1940 the unescorted and unarmed Merkur (Master Verner Birk) was hit by one torpedo from U-26 and sank about 232 miles west of Ushant. Four crew members were lost. On 2 July, the survivors, eleven men and two women, were picked up from a lifeboat by HMS Gardenia (K 99) (LtCdr T.A.O. Ellis, RNR) in position 48°55N, 10°54W and landed at Greenock.

 
On boardWe have details of 17 people who were on board


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