Ships hit by U-boats


San Pablo

Panamanian Steam merchant


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NameSan Pablo
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,305 tons
Completed1915 - Workman, Clark & Co Ltd, Belfast 
OwnerBalboa Shipping Co Inc (United Fruit Co), Balboa 
HomeportPanama 
Date of attack3 Jul 1942Nationality:      Panamanian
 
FateA total loss by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles)
Position9° 59'N, 83° 02'W - Grid EL 1265
Complement? men (24 dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteNew Orleans - Puerto Limón, Costa Rica 
Cargo 
History Completed in October 1915 for Unifruitco SS Co Ltd (United Fruit Co), Glasgow. 1931 registered in Panama for Balboa Shipping Co Inc (United Fruit Co), Balboa. 
Notes on event

At 04.01 hours on 3 July 1942, U-161 fired a spread of two stern torpedoes at the San Pablo, which laid berthed at the fully illuminated pier in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica and was discharging cargo. The ship was hit amidships and near the bridge in #1 and #2 holds and quickly settled to the bottom with only her superstructure above the water because the watertight doors between all holds had been left open. One crew member died on watch below and 23 stevedores (residents of Puerto Limon) working in the holds were killed. All but three crew members of the vessel were ashore at the time of the attack.

On 9 Jan 1943 the San Pablo was raised and after temporary repairs on 6 March, taken in tow by the tug Crusader to Tampa via Puerto Castilla and Key West, arriving on 28 March. It was first planned to repair the vessel, but she was declared a total loss and sunk as target 9 miles south-southeast of Pensacola Pass on 25 September.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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