Brambleleaf
British Fleet oiler
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | Brambleleaf | ||
| Type: | Fleet oiler (Leaf) | ||
| Tonnage | 5,917 tons | ||
| Completed | 1917 - Russell & Co, Port Glasgow | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty (Royal Fleet Auxiliary), London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 10 Jun 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | A total loss by U-559 (Hans Heidtmann) | ||
| Position | 31° 12'N, 28° 10'E - Grid CP 7179 | ||
| Complement | 60 (7 dead and 53 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | AT-49 | ||
| Route | Alexandria - Tobruk | ||
| Cargo | Fuel oil, diesel oil and motor spirit | ||
| History | Laid down as Rumol, completed in April 1917 as Brambleleaf for the Admiralty. | ||
| Notes on event | At 04.56 hours on 10 June 1942, U-559 fired a spread of three torpedoes at convoy AT-49 between Alexandria and Mersa Matruh, reported one hit on a tanker and one on a freighter and observed that the tanker burned for 24 hours and the freighter was towed away with the stern deeper in the water. The ships hit were Athene and Brambleleaf. The Brambleleaf (Master Herbert Allister Shacklock) was struck by one torpedo near the bow. Two officers and five crewmen were lost. The master, 49 crew members and three gunners abandoned ship and were picked up by RHS Vasilissa Olga (D 15) and landed at Alexandria. | ||
| On board | We have details of 6 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.