Elisabeth van Belgie
Belgian Steam merchant
| Name | Elisabeth van Belgie | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 4,241 tons | ||
| Completed | 1909 - Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges., Flensburg | ||
| Owner | Armement Deppe, Antwerp | ||
| Homeport | Antwerp | ||
| Date of attack | 10 Sep 1942 | Nationality:  Belgian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-96 (Hans-Jürgen Hellriegel) | ||
| Position | 51° 30'N, 28° 25'W - Grid AK 9929 | ||
| Complement | 50 (1 dead and 49 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | ON-127 | ||
| Route | Liverpool (4 Sep) - New York - Hampton Roads | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in January 1909 as German Elisabeth von Belgien for Transatlantica Rhederei AG (Menzell), Hamburg. 1911 sold to Belgium and renamed Elisabeth van Belgie for Armement Deppe, Antwerp. | ||
| Notes on event | Between 16.31 and 16.33 hours on 10 September 1942 U-96 fired four torpedoes at four ships in convoy ON-127 and hit three ships: Elisabeth van Belgie and Sveve sank and F.J. Wolfe was damaged, but was able to continue with convoy. Elisabeth van Belgie (Master Louis Alexis Gillebert) in station #12 of convoy was struck by one torpedo in the #3 lower hold, which was filled with 500 tons of coal. The ship commenced to break in two immediately and later sank after settling in the middle with the bow and stern raising into the air. The crew of 44 men and six gunners (the ship was armed with one 4in and seven machine guns) had quickly abandoned ship in the lifeboats in orderly manner. One crew member was lost and two others were injured. The master and 43 survivors were picked up by HMS Celandine (K 75) (Lt P.V. Collings, RNR) after about one hour, including four men floating in the water and two men from rafts. The remaining survivors were picked up by HMCS Sherbrooke (K 152) (T/Lt J.A.M. Levesque, RCNR). | ||
| On board | We have details of 50 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.