Ships hit by U-boats


Deptford

British Steam merchant



NameDeptford
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage4,101 tons
Completed1931 - Smith´s Dock Co Ltd, South Bank, Middlesbrough 
OwnerWatts, Watts & Co Ltd, London 
HomeportLondon 
Date of attack13 Dec 1939Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-38 (Heinrich Liebe)
Position62° 15'N, 5° 08'E - Grid AF 8540
Complement39 (34 dead and 5 survivors).
Convoy
RouteNarvik - Middlesbrough 
Cargo6000 tons of iron ore 
History Completed in January 1931 
Notes on event

At 15.28 hours on 13 December 1939, the unescorted Deptford (Master John William Ferguson) was struck by one torpedo from U-38 in the foreship 0.24 miles north-northwest of Honningsvaag, Norway, and sank within five minutes. The master, 31 crew members and two Norwegian pilots were lost. Four crewmen were picked up by the Norwegian fishing vessel Firda, which observed the periscope of the U-boat. One other man and two bodies were picked up by the Norwegian steam merchant Nordnorge. A search carried out by the Norwegian steam merchant Sekstant was unsuccessful. All survivors were brought to Lakanger and then via Maalöy to Bergen.

 
On boardWe have details of 39 people who were on board


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