Ships hit by U-boats


Browning

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales

NameBrowning
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,332 tons
Completed1919 - A. McMillan & Son Ltd, Dumbarton 
OwnerLamport & Holt Ltd, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack12 Nov 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-593 (Gerd Kelbling)
Position35° 53'N, 0° 33'W - Grid CH 8456
Complement62 (1 dead and 61 survivors).
ConvoyKMS-2
RouteBarrow - Arzew Bay - Oran 
CargoUS military stores, including TNT and a deck cargo of four bulldozers 
History Laid down as War Marten for The Shipping Controller, completed in September 1919 as Browning for Lamport & Holt Ltd, Liverpool. 
Notes on event

At 15.16 hours on 12 Nov 1942, U-593 fired two spreads each of two torpedoes at convoy KMS-2 off Oran and heard two detonations after 48 seconds and 1 minute 50 seconds. Sinking noises were subsequently heard. Kelbling claimed two ships of 7000 grt damaged. However, only the Browning (Master Thomas J. Sweeney) was hit and the burning vessel was abandoned by the crew. The ship later exploded and sank in 35°53N/00°33W. One crew member was lost. The master, 42 crew members, 16 gunners and two naval signalmen were picked up by HMS Fluellen (T 157) (Lt H.N. Rogers, RNR) and landed at Oran.

 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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