Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Impala

British Steam merchant



Empire Impala under her former name Oakman in Lake Charles on 11 Feb, 1933. Photo courtesy of Dennis Morris

NameEmpire Impala
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,116 tons
Completed1920 - Virginia Shipbuilding Corp, Alexandria VA 
OwnerMitchell, Cotts & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack7 Mar 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-591 (Hans-Jürgen Zetzsche)
Position57° 00'N, 36° 00'W - Grid AK 1929
Complement48 (48 dead - no survivors)
ConvoySC-121 (straggler)
RouteNew York (23 Feb) - Loch Ewe - Hull 
Cargo7628 tons of general cargo 
History Completed in March 1920 as Boshbish for US Shipping Board (USSB). After completion renamed Clemence C. Morse and 1925 renamed Oakman for the same owner. 1933 sold to Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, Lake Charles. 1941 given to Britain and renamed Empire Impala by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

On 7 March 1943 the Empire Impala (Master Thomas Henry Munford) in convoy SC-121 was ordered to pick up survivors from the Egyptian, which had been sunk by U-230 (Siegmann) at 02.10 hours. She was not seen again. At 09.06 hours on 7 March, U-591 torpedoed and sank a straggler, which was probably the Empire Impala. The master, 41 crew members and six gunners were lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 48 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