Ships hit by U-boats


Kafiristan

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameKafiristan
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,193 tons
Completed1924 - Short Bros Ltd, Pallion, Sunderland 
OwnerCommon Brothers Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
HomeportNewcastle 
Date of attack17 Sep 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-53 (Ernst-Günter Heinicke)
Position50° 16'N, 16° 55'W - Grid BE 2384
Complement35 (6 dead and 29 survivors).
Convoy
RouteJucaro, Cuba - Liverpool 
Cargo8870 tons of sugar 
History  
Notes on event

At 15.55 hours on 17 Sep 1939 the unescorted Kafiristan (Master John Busby) was torpedoed by U-53 about 350 miles west of Cape Clear. The ship had been missed by a first torpedo at 15.42 hours and was sunk by a coup de grâce at 16.14 hours. Six crew members were lost. The master and 28 crew members were picked up by the American merchant American Farmer and landed at New York.

 
On boardWe have details of 7 people who were on board


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