Ripley
British Motor merchant
Photo courtesy of Allan C. Green Collection
| Name | Ripley | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,997 tons | ||
| Completed | 1936 - William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland | ||
| Owner | South American Saint Line, Cardiff | ||
| Homeport | Cardiff | ||
| Date of attack | 12 Dec 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles) | ||
| Position | 0° 35'S, 32° 17'W - Grid FC 5247 | ||
| Complement | 41 (0 dead and 41 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Forcados - Duala - Takoradi (1 Dec) - Trinidad - UK | ||
| Cargo | 9000 tons of palm oil, mahogany and rubber | ||
| History | Completed in December 1936 for Thomasson Shipping Co Ltd (Stephens, Sutton Ltd), Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 1940 sold to South American Saint Line, Cardiff. | ||
| Notes on event | At 14.24 hours on 12 Dec 1942 the unescorted Ripley (Master Sydney Beeston Davis) was hit by two torpedoes from U-161 southwest of St. Paul Rocks and sank capsizing after a coup de grâce hit amidships at 14.41 hours. The Germans questioned the survivors before leaving the area. The master, 33 crew members and seven gunners were rescued: The master and 28 survivors landed at Cape Branco, Brazil and the chief officer and eleven survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Royal Star and landed at Buenos Aires on 23 December. | ||
| On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.