Ships hit by U-boats


Melmore Head

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameMelmore Head
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,273 tons
Completed1918 - Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerUlster SS Co Ltd (G. Heyn & Sons Ltd), Belfast 
HomeportBelfast 
Date of attack28 Dec 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-225 (Wolfgang Leimkühler)
Position43° 27'N, 27° 15'W - Grid BD 9869
Complement49 (14 dead and 35 survivors).
ConvoyONS-154
RouteNewport, Mon. - Belfast Lough (18 Dec) - St.John, New Brunswick 
CargoBallast 
History Ordered as Inishowen Head, laid down as Melmore Head and completed in September 1918. 
Notes on event

At 22.02 hours on 28 Dec 1942, U-225 fired torpedoes at convoy ONS-154 north of the Azores and reported two ships sunk and two others probably sunk. In fact, the Melmore Head in station #113 was hit by two torpedoes and blew up and the stern torpedo hit the Ville de Rouen, which was later finished off by U-662 (Hermann).

13 crew members and one gunner from Melmore Head (Master William John Leinster) were lost. The master, 30 crew members and four gunners were picked up by HMCS Shediac (K 110) (Lt J.E. Clayton, RCNR) and landed at Ponta Delgada, Azores.

 
On boardWe have details of 18 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats