Eastern Star
Norwegian Steam merchant
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | Eastern Star | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5,658 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - Northumberland Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Howden-on-Tyne | ||
| Owner | Johan Gran, Bergen | ||
| Homeport | Bergen | ||
| Date of attack | 7 May 1941 | Nationality:  Norwegian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-94 (Herbert Kuppisch) | ||
| Position | 61° 29'N, 22° 40'W - Grid AE 7744 | ||
| Complement | 40 (0 dead and 40 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | OB-318 | ||
| Route | Liverpool (2 May) - Halifax | ||
| Cargo | 240 tons of general cargo, 218 tons of naphthaline and 45 tons of cresylic acid and 16 aircraft in boxes | ||
| History | Laid down as British War Lodge for The Shipping Controller, completed in April 1920 as Norwegian Camilla Gilbert for W. Gilbert, Bergen. 1928 renamed Eir for O. Grolle Olsen & I. Hysing Olsen, Bergen. 1937 renamed Mabuhay III for Johan Gran, Bergen. 1938 renamed Eastern Star for the same owner. | ||
| Notes on event | Between 23.10 and 23.12 hours on 7 May 1941, U-94 fired four torpedoes at convoy OB-318 about 200 miles southwest of Reykjavik and reported four ships sunk, but Kuppisch apparently interpreted depth charges dropped by HMS Bulldog (H 91) (LtCdr A.J.B. Cresswell, RN) and HMS Rochester (L 50) (Cdr C.B. Allen, RN) immediately after the torpedoes had detonated on Ixion and Eastern Star as hits on other ships. The both escorts dropped together 67 depth charges on the U-boat, damaging it slightly. The Eastern Star (Master Olav Østervold) was hit on the starboard side near hold #5 by one torpedo, caught fire and sank some hours later in 61°25N/24°18W. All crew members abandoned ship in three lifeboats and were picked up by HMS Daneman (FY 123) (Lt A.H. Ballard, RNR) shortly thereafter and landed in Reykjavik on 12 May. | ||
| More info | |||
| On board | We have details of 40 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.