Ships hit by U-boats


Sheaf Crown

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Ken Appleby

NameSheaf Crown
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,868 tons
Completed1929 - W. Gray & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool 
OwnerW.A. Souter & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
HomeportNewcastle 
Date of attack4 Mar 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateDamaged by U-160 (Georg Lassen)
Position31° 49'S, 31° 11'E - Grid KZ 2442
Complement48 (3 dead and 45 survivors).
ConvoyDN-21
RouteNew York - Durban - Aden - Alexandria 
CargoGovernment stores, including 2000 tons of explosives 
History Completed in September 1929

Post-war:
1947 renamed Kedros for Lykiardopulo & Co Ltd, London. 1950 sold to Italy and renamed Maria Lauretana for Sicula Cosina. Broken up at La Spezia in April 1960. 
Notes on event

At 03.46 hours on 4 March 1943, U-160 fired two torpedoes at convoy DN-21 east-northeast of East London and hit two ships after 1 minute 6 seconds and 1 minute 14 seconds. The Marietta E. was sunk and Sheaf Crown damaged.

The Sheaf Crown (Master Cornelius Webster Oliver) was hit on the port side in #1 hold, caught fire and was quickly abandoned by the crew as it was feared that the flames reached the cargo of explosives. One crew member and two gunners were lost. The survivors were picked up by HMS Sondra (FY 345) (T/Lt W.P. Hart, RNR) and taken to Durban. Sheaf Crown was taken in tow to East London after three days and eventually returned to service after being repaired.

 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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