Ships hit by U-boats


San Alvaro

British Motor tanker



NameSan Alvaro
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage7,385 tons
Completed1935 - Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Wallsend, Sunderland 
OwnerEagle Oil & Shipping Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack22 Feb 1944Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-510 (Alfred Eick)
Position13° 46'N, 48° 49'E - Grid MP 5511
Complement53 (1 dead and 52 survivors).
ConvoyPA-69
RouteAbadan - Bandar Abbas - Aden - Suez 
Cargo11,000 tons of motor spirit and diesel oil 
History Completed in March 1935 
Notes on event

On 22 February 1944, U-510 made two attacks at convoy PA-69 off Majhada, about 200 miles from Aden and reported two tankers and one freighter sunk, one freighter was left burning and sinking and one other freighter was damaged by one torpedo. Three tankers were hit, the San Alvaro, E.G. Seubert and Erling Brøvig. It is not clear whether one ship was hit by two torpedoes.

The San Alvaro (Master George Arthur Henry Knott) caught fire and was abandoned. One gunner was lost. The master, 42 crew members, eight gunners and one passenger (DBS) were picked up by the HMAS Tamworth (J 181) (T/Lt F.E. Eastman, SANF), which sank the wreck by gunfire and depth charges in 13°46N/48°55E. The survivors were landed at Aden on 23 February.

 
On boardWe have details of 15 people who were on board


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