Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Celt

British Steam tanker



The stern section of Empire Celt after the tanker broke in two. Photo courtesy of James McCreadie

NameEmpire Celt
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage8,032 tons
Completed1941 - Furness Shipbuilding Co Ltd, Haverton Hill, Middlesbrough 
OwnerSir James German & Co Ltd, Cardiff 
HomeportMiddlesbrough 
Date of attack24 Feb 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-158 (Erwin Rostin)
Position43° 50'N, 43° 38'W - Grid BC 9475
Complement53 (6 dead and 47 survivors).
ConvoyONS-67
RouteGreenock - Halifax - New York 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in December 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) 
Notes on event

At 08.55 hours on 24 Feb 1942, U-158 attacked convoy ONS-67 about 420 miles south-southeast of St. Johns and observed two hits on the Empire Celt with columns of fire and of water, although the sinking was not seen.
At 09.50 hours, U-558 attacked the same convoy in 43°51N/43°15W and fired three torpedoes in one minute intervals. Krech observed three hits and that two ships stopped, a third continued on. The first and third torpedo struck the Anadara, which was later finished off by U-587 (Borcherdt). The second torpedo may have been aimed at the Empire Celt, which continued on her way after she had been hit by U-158, but the torpedo struck the already damaged Eidanger.

The Empire Celt (Master Edward McCreadie) later broke in two, the stern part remained afloat and was last seen in 46°45N/51°27W on 4 March. Four crew members and two gunners were lost. The master and 22 survivors were picked up by the Canadian rescue ship Citadelle and 24 survivors by HMS St. Zeno (FY 280) (Lt J.K. Craig, RNVR) and landed at St. Johns on 27 February.

 
On boardWe have details of 8 people who were on board


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