Almkerk
Dutch Motor merchant
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Almkerk | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 6,810 tons | ||
| Completed | 1934 - Nederlandsche Scheepsbouw Mij NV, Amsterdam | ||
| Owner | Vereenigde Nederlandsche Scheepvaart Mij NV, The Hague | ||
| Homeport | The Hague | ||
| Date of attack | 16 Mar 1941 | Nationality:  Dutch | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-106 (Jürgen Oesten) | ||
| Position | 13° 21'N, 20° 25'W - Grid EJ 6983 | ||
| Complement | 66 (0 dead and 66 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Fremantle, Australia (20 Feb) - Table Bay - Avonmouth | ||
| Cargo | 7087 tons of wheat | ||
| History | Completed in April 1934 | ||
| Notes on event | On 16 March 1941 U-106 was chasing convoy SL-68, when the unescorted Almkerk (Master Ary Romijn) crossed the path of convoy and the U-boat. The ship was hit near the bridge by two torpedoes fired from a distance of about 500 metres at 16.36 and 16.37 hours. The ship sank by the stern within 15 minutes after the crew of 62 men and four passengers abandoned ship in two lifeboats, witnessed by the ships of convoy. The 31 occupants in the port lifeboat were picked up by the British steam merchant Martand on 18 March and landed in Liverpool on 3 April. The starboard boat with 31 crew members and the four passengers made landfall near Conakry, French Guinea. They were briefly interned by the Vichy French authorities, but then allowed to proceed in their lifeboat and arrived in Freetown on 30 March. | ||
| On board | We have details of 6 people who were on board. | ||
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