Elmbank
British Motor merchant
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Elmbank | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5,156 tons | ||
| Completed | 1925 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Govan, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | Andrew Weir & Co, London | ||
| Homeport | Glasgow | ||
| Date of attack | 21 Sep 1940 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-99 (Otto Kretschmer) | ||
| Position | 55° 20'N, 22° 30'W - Grid AL 5462 | ||
| Complement | 56 (2 dead and 54 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | HX-72 | ||
| Route | Cowichan, British Columbia - Panama - Halifax - Belfast | ||
| Cargo | General cargo, including timber and metals | ||
| History | Completed in April 1925 | ||
| Notes on event | At 04.47 hours on 21 Sep 1940 the Elmbank (Master Harold Tyler Phillips) in convoy HX-72 was hit by one torpedo from U-99 and fell behind convoy. About 06.00 hours, the U-boat began shelling the ship, firing 88 rounds, many of them hitting the vessel. After 15.00 hours, U-47 (Prien) helped to shell the abandoned Elmbank, setting her on fire. Eventually, U-99 administered a coup de grâce and the ship sank south of Iceland. The master and one crew member were lost. 54 crew members were picked up by the British steam merchant Pikepool and landed at St. Johns, Newfoundland. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
Attack entries for Elmbank
| Date | U-boat | Commander | Loss type | Tons | Nat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Sep 1940 | U-47 | Kptlt. Günther Prien | Damaged | 5,156 | |
| 21 Sep 1940 | U-99 | Kptlt. Otto Kretschmer | Sunk | 5,156 | |
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.