Ships hit by U-boats


Ville de Gand

Belgian Steam passenger ship



Ville de Gand under her former name American Importer. Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameVille de Gand
Type:Steam passenger ship
Tonnage7,590 tons
Completed1920 - American Int Shipbuilding Corp, Hog Island PA 
OwnerSociété Maritime Anversoise, Antwerp 
HomeportAntwerp 
Date of attack19 Aug 1940Nationality:      Belgian
 
FateSunk by U-48 (Hans Rudolf Rösing)
Position55° 28'N, 15° 10'W - Grid AM 4424
Complement54 (14 dead and 40 survivors).
Convoy
RouteLiverpool - New York 
Cargo1000 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 boardWe have details of 54 people who were on board


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