Empire Barracuda
British Steam merchant
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | Empire Barracuda | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant (Hog Island) | ||
| Tonnage | 4,972 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - American International Shipbuilding Corp, Hog Island PA | ||
| Owner | Cunard White Star Ltd, Liverpool | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 15 Dec 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-77 (Heinrich Schonder) | ||
| Position | 35° 30'N, 6° 17'W - Grid CG 9843 | ||
| Complement | 52 (13 dead and 39 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Gibraltar - Capetown - Suez | ||
| Cargo | 5800 tons of naval and military stores, including munitions | ||
| History | Completed in January 1919 as Sacandaga for US Shipping Board (USSB), Philadelphia. 1932 renamed Black Heron for Black Diamond Lines Inc, New York. 1941 transferred to Britain and renamed Empire Barracuda by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). | ||
| Notes on event | At 04.10 and 04.30 hours on 15 Dec 1941, U-77 attacked a small escorted convoy of four ships 34 miles 310° from Cape Trafalgar and saw later a freighter in sinking condition after one hit and a tanker stopped after two. In fact only the Empire Barracuda (Master Frederick Ridley) was hit and sunk. Ten crew members and three gunners were lost. The master, 36 crew members and two gunners were picked up by HMS Coltsfoot (K 140) (LtCdr the Hon. W.K. Rous, RNVR) and landed at Gibraltar. | ||
| On board | We have details of 15 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.