Ships hit by U-boats


Kirnwood

British Steam merchant



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameKirnwood
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,829 tons
Completed1928 - J. Readhead & Sons Ltd, South Shields 
OwnerConstantine Shipping Co Ltd, Middlesbrough 
HomeportMiddlesbrough 
Date of attack10 Dec 1941Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-130 (Ernst Kals)
Position56° 57'N, 16° 35'W - Grid AL 3962
Complement45 (12 dead and 33 survivors).
ConvoySC-57
RouteAlbany, New York - Sydney - Ipswich 
Cargo5500 tons of grain 
History  
Notes on event

At 23.54 hours on 10 Dec 1941, U-130 fired a spread of four torpedoes at convoy SC-57 west of Rockall and observed two hits on one ship, the Star of Luxor, which sank in flames. At 23.57 hours, a spread of two torpedoes was then fired, both torpedoes seemingly detonating on one ship, but in fact Kurdistan and Kirnwood were hit.

The master and eleven crew members from the Kirnwood (Master George Albert Norton) were lost. 29 crew members and four gunners were picked up by the British rescue ship Dewsbury (Master Arthur James Elvin Snowden OBE), transferred to the HMS Kingcup (K 33) (LtCdr R.A.D. Cambridge) and landed at Londonderry.

 
On boardWe have details of 12 people who were on board


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