Ships hit by U-boats


Zealand

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameZealand
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,433 tons
Completed1936 - Barclay, Curle & Co, Whiteinch, Glasgow 
OwnerJames Currie & Co Ltd, Leith 
HomeportLeith 
Date of attack28 Jun 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-97 (Friedrich Bürgel)
Position32° 27'N, 34° 43'E - Grid CP 5953
Complement33 (14 dead and 19 survivors).
ConvoyMetril
RoutePort Said - Famagusta 
CargoAviation spirit in drums 
History Completed in January 1936 
Notes on event

At 13.16 hours on 28 June 1942, U-97 fired a spread of two torpedoes at a convoy of three merchants with escorts (codenamed Metril) 14 miles south-southwest of Haifa and hit the Zealand, which sank within seconds. At 13.24 hours, a stern torpedo was fired which hit the Memas.

Ten crew members and four gunners from Zealand (Master Lancelot James Branagan) were lost. The master, twelve crew members and six gunners were picked up by HMS Islay (T 172) (Lt C.H.L. Clarke, RNR) and landed at Haifa.

 
On boardWe have details of 16 people who were on board


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