Loch Ranza
British Steam merchant
Photo from City of Vancouver Archives, CVA 447-2417
| Name | Loch Ranza | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,958 tons | ||
| Completed | 1934 - A. Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | Maclay & McIntyre Ltd, Glasgow | ||
| Homeport | Glasgow | ||
| Date of attack | 1 Dec 1940 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-101 (Ernst Mengersen) | ||
| Position | 54° 37'N, 18° 54'W - Grid AL 5883 | ||
| Complement | 40 (0 dead and 40 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | HX-90 | ||
| Route | Tacoma - Bermuda - Milford Haven - Swansea | ||
| Cargo | Lumber, grain and plywood | ||
| History | Completed in October 1934 On 3 Feb 1942, the Loch Ranza was bombed and set on fire by Japanese aircraft in the Rhio Strait in 00°37N/104°14E, later beached at Pulau Abang in 00°36N/104°12E and declared a total loss after an explosion on board. The ship had been on voyage from Singapore to Batavia with military cargo. Seven of the 50 men on board were killed and two were later taken prisoner. The survivors were rescued by HMAS Toowoomba (J 157) (LtCdr P.H. Hirst, RAN). | ||
| Notes on event | At 22.12 hours on 1 Dec 1940, U-101 attacked convoy HX-90 about 340 miles west of Bloody Foreland and claimed one ship of 8000 grt sunk (Loch Ranza was only damaged), one ship of 6000 grt damaged (not confirmed) and one tanker of 12,000 grt sunk (Appalachee). The Loch Ranza was damaged by a torpedo, but managed to continue under own power at 6 knots, later beached by a tug in Rothesay Bay on 9 December. The ship was refloated and repaired at Glasgow, returning to service in May 1941. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
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