Orari
British Motor merchant
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Orari | ||
| Type: | Motor merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 10,350 tons | ||
| Completed | 1931 - A. Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | Plymouth | ||
| Date of attack | 13 Dec 1940 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-43 (Wolfgang Lüth) | ||
| Position | 49° 50'N, 20° 55'W - Grid BE 2442 | ||
| Complement | 63 (? dead and ? survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Melbourne - Avonmouth | ||
| Cargo | 10.908 tons of refrigerated and general cargo | ||
| History | Completed in February 1931 At 00.56 hours on 11 Mar 1942, the Italian submarine Luigi Torelli (De Giacomo) fired torpedoes at the Orari in 13°N/57°W and reported a hit, but the torpedoes missed. Post-war: 1958 sold to Italy and renamed Capo Bianco for A. Zanchi. Broken up at Savona in May 1971. | ||
| Notes on event | At 20.46 hours on 13 Dec 1940 the unescorted Orari was hit in the stern by one of two torpedoes fired by U-43 and caught fire about 450 miles southwest of Ireland. The U-boat had followed her for six hours and was then not able to finish her off because no torpedoes were left and the deck gun could not be used due to the rough seas. The crew of Orari managed to cover the hole by tarpaulins and made it under own power to the Clyde, where she was repaired and returned to service in March 1941. | ||
| On board | We have details of 5 people who were on board. | ||
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