Ships hit by U-boats


William Hansen

Norwegian Steam merchant


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NameWilliam Hansen
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,344 tons
Completed1939 - Nylands Verksted, Oslo 
OwnerAksel Molvigs Rederi, Oslo 
HomeportOslo 
Date of attack22 Jan 1942Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-754 (Hans Oestermann)
Position45° 56'N, 52° 47'W - Grid BB 6658
Complement19 (14 dead and 5 survivors).
Convoy
RouteArgentia, Newfoundland - St.Johns 
CargoBallast 
History  
Notes on event

At 03.42 hours on 22 Jan 1942 the William Hansen (Master Johan A. Skille), escorted by a minesweeper, was hit by one torpedo from U-754 off St.Johns, Newfoundland. The ship caught fire immediately and sank fast by the stern. Eight survivors managed to get into a lifeboat, but three of them died shortly afterwards. The survivors, most of them wet from sea water and only wearing pyjamas, covered themselves with a sail for protection against the ice cold wind and snow and waited until dawn to bail the boat, but it proved to be useless. They were picked up later that day by HMCS Algoma (K 127), which unsuccessfully searched for other survivors before taking the men to St.Johns, where they were admitted to a hospital.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 19 people who were on board


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