Ships hit by U-boats


Faro

Norwegian Steam merchant



Faro drifted ashore after being torpedoed

NameFaro
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage844 tons
Completed1919 - Unterweser Schiffbau-Ges. AG, Wesermünde-Lehe 
OwnerE.B. Aaby, Oslo 
HomeportOslo 
Date of attack27 Jan 1940Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateA total loss by U-20 (Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt)
Position58° 55'N, 2° 46'W - Grid AN 1652
Complement15 (8 dead and 7 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSarpsborg, Norway - Methil 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in May 1919 as Danish Ragna for A/S D/S Vesterhavet (J.Lauritzen), Esbjerg. 1937 renamed Randi for the same owner. 1937 sold to Norway and renamed Faro
Notes on event

At 20.03 hours on 27 Jan 1940 the neutral Faro (Master John Birger Christensen) was damaged by one torpedo from U-20 about 15 miles southeast of Copinsay, Orkneys. The torpedo detonated about 20 metres from the ship and caused a leak. The crew abandoned ship in two lifeboats and one with eight men in it drifted away in the darkness. The master and six crew members in the other boat stayed close to the ship and reboarded her at dawn next day. They tried to save the Faro but her bow already settled so low that the propeller was out of the water. After the anchor chain broke she drifted ashore and was wrecked in the Taracliff Bay, Deerness. The survivors were taken off by breeches buoy. The missing lifeboat was washed ashore on Copinsay later that day, with only one man alive, and three bodies.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 9 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats