Ships hit by U-boats


Britta

Norwegian Motor tanker



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameBritta
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage6,214 tons
Completed1928 - Helsingørs Jernskibs-og Maskinbyggeri A/S, Elsinore 
OwnerArthur H. Mathiesen, Oslo 
HomeportOslo 
Date of attack6 Dec 1939Nationality:      Norwegian
 
FateSunk by U-47 (Günther Prien)
Position49° 29'N, 6° 31'W - Grid BF 2449
Complement31 (6 dead and 25 survivors).
Convoy
RouteAntwerp - Curaçao 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in March 1928 
Notes on event

At 20.29 hours on 6 December 1939 the unescorted and neutral Britta (Master Lauritz Knutsen) was hit on port side aft by one G7a torpedo from U-47, broke in two and sank slowly about 45 miles southwest of Longships Lighthouse. The Germans had recognized the Norwegian nationality markings, but sank the ship in accordance with orders recieved by radio message on 23 November that authorized the U-boats to attack all tankers within a declared blockade area around Britain without warning. The survivors from Britta were subsequently rescued by the Belgian trawler Memlinc.

 
More infoMore on this vessel 
On boardWe have details of 7 people who were on board


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