British Influence
British Motor tanker
Name | British Influence | ||
Type: | Motor tanker | ||
Tonnage | 8,431 tons | ||
Completed | 1939 - Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne | ||
Owner | British Tanker Co Ltd, London | ||
Homeport | London | ||
Date of attack | 14 Sep 1939 | Nationality: British | |
Fate | Sunk by U-29 (Otto Schuhart) | ||
Position | 49° 43'N, 12° 49'W - Grid BE 3655 | ||
Complement | 42 (0 dead and 42 survivors). | ||
Convoy | |||
Route | Abadan, Persia - Hull | ||
Cargo | 12.000 tons of diesel and fuel oil | ||
History | Completed in May 1939 | ||
Notes on event | At 13.15 hours on 14 Sep 1939 the unescorted British Influence (Master Ingersoll Hall McMichael) was stopped by U-29 with two shots across her bow 180 miles southwest of Cape Clear and the crew was ordered to abandon ship. At 14.15 hours, the tanker was hit in the engine room by one G7a torpedo and sank by the stern. The U-boat then fired rockets to attract the attention of rescuers and stopped the Norwegian motor merchant Ida Bakke (Master Anton Zakariassen) en route from Liverpool to the USA and told them where the lifeboats could be found. The master and 41 crew members were picked up by the Norwegian ship, transferred on 15 September off Old Head of Kinsale near Fastnet Light to the Courtmacsherry lifeboat, Co. Cork, and landed at Kinsale Harbour. The next day, the Ida Bakke rescued the survivors of the Cheyenne, which had been sunk by U-53 (Heinicke). | ||
On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. |
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.