Ships hit during WWI

Le Pilier

NameLe Pilier
TypeSailing vessel
GRT2,427 tons
Country  French
Built1902
BuilderAtel. & Chant. de la Loire, Nantes
OperatorJean-Baptiste Etienne, Nantes & Geo Bell, Buenos Ayres
HistorySteel-hulled bark.

U-boat attacks on Sailing vessel Le Pilier


DateU-boatLoss typePositionLocationRouteCargoCasualties
12 May 1916U 45 (Erich Sittenfeld)SunkSW of Ushant
47° 50'N, 5° 50'W
London - Buenos Aires
in ballast
0

Le Pilier, Capt. DelanoƩ, was sailing in fair weather when at 8.00 am her crew noticed a submarine surfacing half a mile behind. Submarine immediately signalled to abandon ship. When all the men were in the boats, U 45 came along the vessel to read her name and then backed up about 200 m. from where a torpedo was fired. Le Pilier sank in a very short time while U 45 was heading westward on surface. The wrecked crew was picked up a few hours later by the danish SS Lindeskov and landed at Liverpool. See also the Wreck Site at http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?133172

Position of attack on Le Pilier


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to WWI Ships Attacked main page