Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Light

British Motor tanker


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameEmpire Light
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage6,537 tons
Completed1925 - John Brown & Co Ltd, Clydebank 
OwnerH.E. Moss & Co, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack12 Mar 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-468 (Klemens Schamong)
Position53° 57'N, 46° 14'W - Grid AJ 9585
Complement50 (45 dead and 5 survivors).
ConvoyON-168 (straggler)
RouteManchester - New York 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in September 1925 as Lumen for H.E. Moss & Co Tankers Ltd, Liverpool. 1942 renamed Empire Light by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 18.20 hours on 7 March 1943 U-638 (Bernbeck) attacked a straggler from convoy ON-168 in bad weather southwest of Cape Farewell and Bernbeck thought that he had missed, but the Empire Light (Master A.L. Lewis) was damaged and abandoned. 39 crew members and six gunners were lost. The master, three crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMS Beverley (H 64) (LtCdr R.A Price, RN) and landed at St. John’s, Newfoundland.

At 22.12 hours on 12 March, U-468 sank the abandoned Empire Light with two coups de grâce.

 
On boardWe have details of 44 people who were on board

Attack entries for Empire Light

DateU-boatCommanderLoss typeTonsNat.
7 Mar 1943U-638Kptlt. Hinrich-Oscar BernbeckDamaged6,537  
12 Mar 1943U-468Oblt. Klemens SchamongSunk6,537  


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