Ships hit by U-boats


Oakton

Canadian Steam merchant



NameOakton
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,727 tons
Completed1923 - A. McMillan & Son Ltd, Dumbarton 
OwnerGulf & Lake Navigation Co Ltd, Montreal 
HomeportMontreal 
Date of attack7 Sep 1942Nationality:      Canadian
 
FateSunk by U-517 (Paul Hartwig)
Position48° 50'N, 63° 46'W - Grid BB 1842
Complement20 (0 dead and 20 survivors).
ConvoyQS-33
RouteSandusky, Ohio - Quebec (5 Sep) - Corner Brook, Newfoundland 
Cargo2289 tons of coal 
History Completed in May 1923 for Mathews Steamship Co Ltd, Toronto. 1932 sold to Frederick C. Clarkson (Toronto Elevators Ltd), Toronto and 1934 to Gulf & Lake Navigation Co Ltd, Montreal. 
Notes on event

Between 23.01 and 23.02 hours on 7 September 1942 U-517 fired one stern torpedo and a spread of two bow torpedoes at three of the four ships in convoy QS-33 from between its columns about 16 miles east of Cape Gaspé and sank the Mount Pindus, Oakton and Mount Taygetus.

The unarmed Oakton (Master Alfred Edwin Brown) was the starboard wing ship in station #51 and struck on the port side amidships by the first bow torpedo. The explosion broke the ship in two and caused her two sink within two minutes. The master and 19 crew members immediately abandoned ship in the lifeboats, were subsequently picked up by the Canadian motor launch HMCS Q-083 (Lt W.M. Grand, RCNVR) and landed at Gaspé.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 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