Ships hit by U-boats


Empire Comet

British Motor merchant



Empire Comet at Boston after her maiden voyage. Photo courtesy of Michael Riddell.

NameEmpire Comet
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage6,914 tons
Completed1941 - Lithgows Ltd, Port Glasgow 
OwnerDodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportGreenock 
Date of attack17 Feb 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-136 (Heinrich Zimmermann)
Position58° 09'N, 13° 48'W - Grid AM 1811
Complement46 (46 dead - no survivors)
ConvoyHX-174 (straggler)
RouteBombay (12 Nov) - Table Bay (16 Dec) - Halifax (7 Feb) - Manchester 
Cargo8672 tons of general cargo, including manganese ore, linseed, tea and groundnuts 
History Completed in January 1941 for Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). 
Notes on event

At 22.17 hours on 17 Feb 1942 the unescorted Empire Comet (Master Hector Rayment Willis) was hit fore and aft by two torpedoes from U-136 about 33 miles north of Rockall. The U-boat had chased the ship for about two hours and observed how she quickly sank after being torpedoed, following a heavy detonation aboard. The master, 37 crew members and eight gunners were lost. The ship was reported missing after straggling from station #12 in convoy HX-174 and was presumed lost in position 58°15N/17°10W on 19 February.

 
On boardWe have details of 46 people who were on board


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