Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Kumari

British Steam merchant



Empire Kumari under her former name Sturmfels. Photo courtesy of Arnold Kludas

NameEmpire Kumari
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,288 tons
Completed1920 - AG Weser, Bremen 
OwnerAnchor Line (Henderson Bros) Ltd, Glasgow 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack26 Aug 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateA total loss by U-375 (Jürgen Koenenkamp)
Position31° 58'N, 34° 21'E - Grid CP 8239
Complement92 (3 dead and 89 survivors).
ConvoyLW-38
RouteHaifa (26 Aug) - Port Said 
Cargo450 tons of bagged potash 
History Completed in March 1921 as Sturmfels for DDG Hansa, Bremen. On 28 Aug 1939, interned and laid up at Bandar Shapour, Iran. On 25 Aug 1941, set on fire by the crew in an attempt to scuttle the ship during the British Operation Countenance. Seized by Britain, repaired and renamed Empire Kumari by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 18.40 hours on 26 Aug 1942 the Empire Kumari (Master Robert Cunningham Streets) in convoy LW-38 was torpedoed by U-375 northeast of Port Said. Three crew members were lost. The master, 84 crew members and four gunners were picked up by HMS Gloxinia (K 22) (Lt A.F. Harkness, OBE, DSC, RNR) and landed at Haifa. The badly damaged vessel was taken in tow by the corvette. Later towed to Haifa Bay by HMS Brigand (W 83) and the Haifa harbour tug Roach, arriving on 27 August, but sank off breakwater during the evening.
In June 1952 the wreck was broken up at Haifa.

 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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