Ships hit by U-boats


Baron Kelvin

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Stuart Smith

NameBaron Kelvin
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,081 tons
Completed1924 - C. Connell & Co Ltd, Glasgow 
OwnerH. Hogarth & Sons Ltd, Glasgow 
HomeportArdrossan 
Date of attack19 Oct 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-206 (Herbert Opitz)
Position35° 57'N, 5° 54'W - Grid CG 9583
Complement42 (26 dead and 16 survivors).
Convoy
RouteLisbon - Gibraltar - Melilla 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in February 1924 
Notes on event

At 06.14 hours on 19 October 1941 the unescorted Baron Kelvin (Master William Lindsay Ewing) was hit on port side aft by one of two G7e torpedoes from U-206 in the Strait of Gibraltar about 14 miles bearing 100° from Tarifa Point, Spain. The U-boat then fired a stern torpedo and missed the stopped ship, which quickly sank by the stern with a broken back after being struck on port side amidships by another G7e torpedo fired at 06.27 hours. 19 crew members and seven gunners were lost. The master, twelve crew members and two gunners were picked up by the Spanish steam merchant Urola and landed at Gibraltar. One crew member was rescued by HMS Duncan (D 99) (LtCdr A.N. Rowell, RN) and also landed at Gibraltar.

 
On boardWe have details of 27 people who were on board


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