Empire Surf
British Steam merchant
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| Name | Empire Surf | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 6,641 tons | ||
| Completed | 1941 - Bartram & Sons Ltd, South Dock, Sunderland | ||
| Owner | South American Saint Line, Cardiff | ||
| Homeport | Sunderland | ||
| Date of attack | 14 Jan 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-43 (Wolfgang Lüth) | ||
| Position | 58° 42'N, 19° 16'W - Grid AL 2691 | ||
| Complement | 53 (47 dead and 6 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | ON-55 | ||
| Route | Manchester - Jacksonville, Florida | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in April 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) | ||
| Notes on event | At 02.54 hours on 14 January 1942, U-43 attacked convoy ON-55 south of Iceland and sank the Empire Surf (Master Albert Sandham). At 03.04 hours, the U-boat attacked again and heard a heavy detonation after 40 seconds (about 600 meters), but a few minutes later was unable to see the target. The KTB has the marginal comment Apparently not a hit.. The master, 37 crew members and nine gunners from the Empire Surf were lost. Six crew members were picked up by HMS Alisma (K 185) (LtCdr M.G. Rose, RANVR) and landed at Londonderry. | ||
| On board | We have details of 47 people who were on board. | ||
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