Ships hit by U-boats


New Columbia

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales

NameNew Columbia
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage6,574 tons
Completed1920 - Harland & Wolff Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerElder Dempster Lines Ltd, Liverpool 
HomeportLiverpool 
Date of attack31 Oct 1943Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-68 (Albert Lauzemis)
Position4° 25'N, 5° 03'E - Grid EW 7199
Complement84 (0 dead and 84 survivors).
Convoy
RouteMatadi, Belgian Congo - Libreville, French Equatorial Africa (27 Sep) - Lagos 
Cargo5500 tons of African produce, including 2500 tons of cotton, 1500 tons of copper, 600 tons of beer, 350 tons of palm oil, 350 tons of copra, 100 tons of kernels, 100 tons of rice and mail 
History Launched as War Pageant for The Shipping Controller, completed in June 1920 as New Columbia for Elder Dempster Lines Ltd, Liverpool. 
Notes on event

At 21.14 hours on 31 Oct 1943 the unescorted New Columbia (Master Frederick Bradley Kent) was hit in the foreship by one FAT torpedo from U-68 southwest of Bingerville, Ivory Coast. She sank by the bow after being hit in the engine room by a second FAT torpedo at 21.44 hours. The master, 54 crew members, ten gunners and 19 Kroomen were picked up by the British merchant Conakrian and landed at Lagos. Lauzemis thought after he had questioned the crew that he had sunk the Troilus.

 
On boardWe have details of 2 people who were on board


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