Ships hit by U-boats


Cervantes

British Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection

NameCervantes
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,810 tons
Completed1919 - H. & C. Grayson Ltd, Garston, Liverpool 
OwnerMacAndrews & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack27 Sep 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-201 (Adalbert Schnee)
Position48° 37'N, 20° 01'W - Grid BE 1939
Complement40 (8 dead and 32 survivors).
ConvoyHG-73
RouteLisbon - Liverpool 
Cargo500 tons of potash and 400 tons of cork 
History Completed in July 1919 
Notes on event

At 02.08 hours on 27 Sep 1941, U-201 fired a spread of two torpedoes at a steamer of 5000 tons and a corvette in convoy HG-73 north-northeast of the Azores, observed a bright flash close to the escort and a steamer sinking immediately. In fact, one torpedo apparently detonated prematurely close to the Leadgate in station #41 but the other hit and sank the Cervantes (Master Henry Austin Fraser) in station #53. The day before the ship had picked up three survivors from Avoceta after she had been sunk from the same convoy by U-203 (Mützelburg). Three crew members, two gunners and three passengers were lost. The master, 27 crew members, three gunners, one passenger and the three rescued survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Starling from the same convoy and landed at Liverpool on 1 October.

The ship was repatriating four survivors (DBS) from the Ciscar, which had been sunk by U-201 (Schnee) on 19 August.

 
On boardWe have details of 6 people who were on board


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

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats