Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Surf

British Steam merchant


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameEmpire Surf
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,641 tons
Completed1941 - Bartram & Sons Ltd, South Dock, Sunderland 
OwnerSouth American Saint Line, Cardiff 
HomeportSunderland 
Date of attack14 Jan 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-43 (Wolfgang Lüth)
Position58° 42'N, 19° 16'W - Grid AL 2691
Complement53 (47 dead and 6 survivors).
ConvoyON-55
RouteManchester - Jacksonville, Florida 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in April 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) 
Notes on event

At 02.54 hours on 14 January 1942, U-43 attacked convoy ON-55 south of Iceland and sank the Empire Surf (Master Albert Sandham). At 03.04 hours, the U-boat attacked again and heard a heavy detonation after 40 seconds (about 600 meters), but a few minutes later was unable to see the target. The KTB has the marginal comment Apparently not a hit..

The master, 37 crew members and nine gunners from the Empire Surf were lost. Six crew members were picked up by HMS Alisma (K 185) (LtCdr M.G. Rose, RANVR) and landed at Londonderry.

 
On boardWe have details of 47 people who were on board


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