Ships hit by U-boats


Shirak

British Steam tanker



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameShirak
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage6,023 tons
Completed1926 - Sir W.G. Armstrong, Whitworth & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
OwnerBaltic Trading Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack20 Oct 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-48 (Heinrich Bleichrodt)
Position57° 00'N, 16° 53'W - Grid AL 0355
Complement37 (0 dead and 37 survivors).
ConvoyHX-79 (straggler)
RouteAruba - Halifax (8 Oct) - London 
Cargo7771 tons of refined petroleum products 
History Completed in March 1926 
Notes on event

At 23.31 hours on 19 Oct 1940 the Shirak (Master Lawrence Robert Morrison) in convoy HX-79 was hit by a stern torpedo from U-47 (Prien), caught fire for a short time and fell behind convoy where the crew abandoned ship. At 00.24 hours on 20 October, the tanker was hit amidships by torpedo from U-48 caught again fire and sank about 90 miles southwest of Rockall. The master and 36 crew members were picked up by HMS Blackfly (FY 1173) (Lt A.P. Hughes, RNR) and landed at Belfast.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board

Attack entries for Shirak

DateU-boatCommanderLoss typeTonsNat.
19 Oct 1940U-47Kptlt. Günther PrienDamaged6,023  
20 Oct 1940U-48Kptlt. Heinrich BleichrodtSunk6,023  


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