Ontario
Honduran Steam merchant
Name | Ontario | ||
Type: | Steam merchant | ||
Tonnage | 3,099 tons | ||
Completed | 1904 - New York Shipbuilding Corp, Camden NJ | ||
Owner | United Fruit SS Co, New York | ||
Homeport | Puerto Cortez | ||
Date of attack | 7 May 1942 | Nationality: Honduran | |
Fate | Sunk by U-507 (Harro Schacht) | ||
Position | 28° 11'N, 87° 32'W - Grid DB 7426 | ||
Complement | 45 (0 dead and 45 survivors). | ||
Convoy | |||
Route | Puerto Cortez, Honduras - Mobile | ||
Cargo | Bananas | ||
History | Completed in August 1904 for Merchants & Miners Transportation Co, Baltimore MD. 1941 registered in Honduras for United Fruit SS Co, New York. | ||
Notes on event | Between 02.27 and 03.35 hours on 7 May 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Ontario (Master Anders Weesgaard) was shelled by U-507, while steaming a zigzag course at 12 knots. The day earlier, the ship was ordered to proceed to the nearest port after receiving a distress signal from the Alcoa Puritan, which was attacked and sunk by the same U-boat. U-507 attacked from the port quarter and destroyed the bridge, wheelhouse and the mainmast, after a distress signal was sent and soon left the burning and sinking vessel. The master Anders Weesgaard survived this sinking, but died when his next ship the San Blas was sunk by U-158 (Rostin) on 17 June 1942. | ||
On board | We have details of 1 people who were on board. |
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.