Ships hit by U-boats


Hav

Norwegian Motor merchant



Photo courtesy of Lillesand Sjømannsforening

NameHav
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage5,062 tons
Completed1939 - Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne 
OwnerHelmer Staubo & Co, Oslo 
HomeportOslo 
Date of attack14 May 1942Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateA total loss by U-561 (Robert Bartels)
Position31° 27'N, 32° 27'E - Grid CP 8186
Complement38 (2 dead and 36 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBasra (21 April) - Abadan - Suez - Port Said (13 May) - Beirut 
Cargo7380 tons of barley 
History Completed in September 1939. On 28 February 1941 the Hav (Master G.E. Henriksen) was requisitioned by the Sea Transport Office for special service and was used to transport war material to Greece. On 26 March, the ship was badly damaged in an air attack when in convoy AS-22 but managed to reach Alexandria three days later, recieving temporary repairs there. On 18 April, she continued to Kosseir to load phosphates for Australia. Further repairs were made at Melbourne in June 1941. 
Notes on event

On 14 May 1942 the Hav (Master Josef Jensen) struck a mine laid on 14 April by U-561 off Port Said. Two crew members were killed and several of the survivors were injured and taken to the hospital ship HMHS Aba in the harbour. The ship immediately began to sink, but a tug and two minesweepers towed her to the shore where she was beached in 29 feet of water in 31°17´57N/32°21´09E. Later that summer she was on fire six times, burnt out and declared a total loss.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 38 people who were on board


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