Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Brigade

British Steam merchant



Empire Brigade under her former name Hannington Court. Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales

NameEmpire Brigade
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage5,154 tons
Completed1912 - Sir John Priestman & Co Ltd, Southwick, Sunderland 
OwnerCairns, Noble & Co Ltd, Newcastle-upon-Tyne 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack19 Oct 1940Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-99 (Otto Kretschmer)
Position57° 12'N, 10° 43'W - Grid AM 2955
Complement41 (6 dead and 35 survivors).
ConvoySC-7
RouteMontreal - Sydney - Tyne - Leith 
CargoGeneral cargo, including 750 tons of copper, 129 tons of ferro alloys and 980 tons of steel 
History Completed in November 1912 as Hannington Court for Court Line Ltd (Haldin & Philipps Ltd), London. 1936 sold to Italy and renamed Elios for Achille Lauro, Naples. On 10 Jun 1940, the Elios was seized by Britain at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and renamed Empire Brigade by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 01.38 hours on 19 Oct 1940 the Empire Brigade (Master Sydney Wyman Parks) in convoy SC-7 was torpedoed and sunk by U-99 about 100 miles east-southeast of Rockall. Five crew members and one gunner were lost. The master and 34 crew members were picked up by HMS Fowey (L 15) (LtCdr L.C.A. Leefe, RN) and landed at Greenock.

 
On boardWe have details of 7 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