Ships hit by U-boats


Tresillian

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameTresillian
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,743 tons
Completed1925 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool 
OwnerThe Hain Steamship Co Ltd, London 
HomeportSt. Ives 
Date of attack13 Jun 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-77 (Heinrich Schonder)
Position44° 40'N, 45° 30'W - Grid BC 85
Complement46 (0 dead and 46 survivors).
ConvoyOB-330 (dispersed)
RouteImmingham - Gulf of St. Lawrence 
CargoBallast 
History  
Notes on event

At 04.04 hours on 13 June 1941 the Tresillian (Master Ernest George Old), dispersed on 7 June from convoy OB-330, was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-77 southeast of Cape Race. The ship had been spotted at 00.28 hours and was hit by a dud three hours later. After the hit, the ship stopped but the crew only prepared the lifeboats for launch and sent out emergency messages, so the U-boat opened fire with a machine gun at the bridge and after the crew abandoned ship shelled her with 87 rounds from the deck gun until 05.30 hours. Between 60 and 65 hits were scored, but no effect could be observed except a small fire. At 05.45 hours, a coup de grĂ¢ce was fired which hit amidships and caused the ship to sink after breaking in two. The master, 44 crew members and one gunner were picked up by the US Coast Guard cutter USS Duane (WPG 33) and landed at St. Johns.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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