Rio Claro
British Steam merchant
Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales
| Name | Rio Claro | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,086 tons | ||
| Completed | 1922 - Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd, Blyth | ||
| Owner | Thompson Steamshipping Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 6 Sep 1939 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-47 (Günther Prien) | ||
| Position | 46° 30'N, 12° 00'W - Grid BE 6689 | ||
| Complement | 41 (0 dead and 41 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Sunderland - Montevideo | ||
| Cargo | Coal | ||
| History | Completed in December 1922 | ||
| Notes on event | At 14.18 hours on 6 Sep 1939, U-47 tried to stop the unescorted and unarmed Rio Claro (Master John Ainsley Robson) northwest of Cape Ortegal by flag signals but the steamer sent distress signals, even after a shot across the bow was fired. So three shots from the deck gun were fired into the bridge. After that the crew abandoned ship and was questioned before the ship was sunk by a torpedo at 14.40 hours. The master and 40 crew members were picked up by the Dutch steam merchant Stad Maastricht and landed at Fayal on 11 September. | ||
| On board | We have details of 1 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.