Empire Protector
British Steam merchant
Photo from naviearmatori.net
| Name | Empire Protector | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 6,181 tons | ||
| Completed | 1921 - Cantieri Officine Savoia, Genoa-Cornigliano | ||
| Owner | Ben Line Steamers (William Thomson & Co), Leith | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 30 May 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-38 (Heinrich Liebe) | ||
| Position | 6° 00'N, 14° 25'W - Grid ET 5694 | ||
| Complement | 38 (5 dead and 33 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Port Sudan - Capetown - Freetown - London | ||
| Cargo | 2250 tons of cotton, 4200 tons of cotton seed and 1252 tons of copper | ||
| History | Completed in April 1922 as Italian Artena for "Roma" Società di Navigazione, Rome. 1928 renamed Cariddi for La Meridionale di Navigazione SA, Naples. 1932 renamed Sebeto for the same owner. 1935 renamed Pamia for "Polena" Società di Navigazione, Genoa. On 10 Jun 1940, the Pamia was captured at sea off Liverpool by the British armed trawler HMS Liffey (4.332) (Lt F.S. Croughan) and taken to Methil. The ship was renamed Empire Protector by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) seven days later. | ||
| Notes on event | At 13.11 hours on 30 May 1941 the unescorted Empire Protector (Master John Cringle) was hit by one of two G7a torpedoes from U-38 southwest of Freetown. The ship sank within a few minutes after being hit aft by a G7a coup de grâce at 14.07 hours. Five crew members were lost. The master, 29 crew members and three gunners were picked up by Arundo and landed at Freetown. | ||
| On board | We have details of 6 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.