Ville de Gand
Belgian Steam passenger ship
Ville de Gand under her former name American Importer. Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Ville de Gand | ||
| Type: | Steam passenger ship | ||
| Tonnage | 7,590 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - American Int Shipbuilding Corp, Hog Island PA | ||
| Owner | Société Maritime Anversoise, Antwerp | ||
| Homeport | Antwerp | ||
| Date of attack | 19 Aug 1940 | Nationality:  Belgian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-48 (Hans Rudolf Rösing) | ||
| Position | 55° 28'N, 15° 10'W - Grid AM 4424 | ||
| Complement | 54 (14 dead and 40 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Liverpool - New York | ||
| Cargo | 1000 tons of shell bullets | ||
| History | Laid down as Siskowit, launched as Mount Black, completed in September 1920 as Somme for US Shipping Board (USSB), Philadelphia. 1931 renamed American Importer for US Lines Co, New York. In February 1940 sold to Belgium and renamed Ville de Gand. | ||
| Notes on event | At 00.05 hours on 19 August 1940 the unescorted Ville de Gand (Master Raoul Carlier) was hit aft by one of two torpedoes fired by U-48 about 200 miles west of Ireland. The ship sank by the stern in 2 minutes after being hit by a G7e coup de grâce at 01.09 hours. The master and 13 crew members were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 54 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.