Ships hit by U-boats


Rio Claro

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales

NameRio Claro
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,086 tons
Completed1922 - Blyth Shipbuilding & Dry Docks Co Ltd, Blyth 
OwnerThompson Steamshipping Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack6 Sep 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-47 (Günther Prien)
Position46° 30'N, 12° 00'W - Grid BE 6689
Complement41 (0 dead and 41 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSunderland - Montevideo 
CargoCoal 
History Completed in December 1922 
Notes on event

At 14.18 hours on 6 Sep 1939, U-47 tried to stop the unescorted and unarmed Rio Claro (Master John Ainsley Robson) northwest of Cape Ortegal by flag signals but the steamer sent distress signals, even after a shot across the bow was fired. So three shots from the deck gun were fired into the bridge. After that the crew abandoned ship and was questioned before the ship was sunk by a torpedo at 14.40 hours. The master and 40 crew members were picked up by the Dutch steam merchant Stad Maastricht and landed at Fayal on 11 September.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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