Ships hit by U-boats


Vega

Finnish Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Suomen Merimuseo

NameVega
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage974 tons
Completed1906 - Fevigs Jernskibsbyggeri, Grimstad 
OwnerSuomen Höyrylaiva O/Y, Helsinki 
HomeportHelsinki 
Date of attack16 Sep 1939Nationality:      Finnish
 
FateCaptured by U-41 (Gustav-Adolf Mugler)
Position58° 00'N, 4° 00'E - Grid AN 4635
Complement? men (0 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteHelsinki - Hull 
Cargo600 tons of general cargo, including cellulose, timber, plywood and paper 
History Completed in August 1906 by Richardsons, Westgarth & Co Ltd, Middlesbrough.

Post-war:
On 22 Sep 1955, the Vega sank after a collision with the Swedish motor merchant Bali 3 miles off Kotka. 
Notes on event

At 05.05 hours on 16 Sep 1939 the Vega was stopped by U-41 and a prize crew (Oberleutnant Harms and two crewmen) placed on board to bring the steamer to Wilhelmshaven. At 06.30 hours, the Suomen Poika was also stopped by the U-boat and ordered the master to follow the other Finnish ship to Germany because the vessels were carrying contraband to Britain. Both ships arrived in Cuxhaven/Steubenhöft at 11.30 hours on 18 September.

On 4 October, the Vega was released after unloading the cargo and Suomen Poika followed two days later after parts of the cargo were unloaded.

 


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