Ships hit by U-boats


Norlandia

American Steam merchant



Norlandia under her former name Lake Galata

NameNorlandia
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage2,689 tons
Completed1919 - Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc WI 
OwnerMerchants & Miners Transportation Co, Baltimore MD 
HomeportBaltimore 
Date of attack4 Jul 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-575 (Günther Heydemann)
Position19° 33'N, 68° 39'W - Grid DN 9697
Complement30 (9 dead and 21 survivors).
Convoy
RouteAntigua - San Juan, Puero Rico - Nuevitas, Cuba 
CargoBallast 
History Completed in October 1919 as Lake Galata for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1926 renamed Wyoming for Merchants & Miners Transportation Co, Baltimore MD. 1941 renamed Norlandia for Norlasco SS Co, New York, but later that year given back to Merchants & Miners Transportation Co, Baltimore MD. 
Notes on event

At 03.38 hours on 4 July 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Norlandia (Master Herbert Elvin Callis) was torpedoed by U-575 about 25 miles northeast of Cape Samana, San Domingo. The torpedo struck on the starboard side between the engine room and the #3 hatch. The explosion tore up the deck, destroyed the radio room, jammed the machinery and caused the ship to flood rapidly, sinking by the stern after 15 minutes. The 21 survivors among the crew of eight officers and 22 crewmen abandoned ship in two lifeboats and were later questioned by Heydemann, who expressed regret at having to sink an American ship and gave them a bottle of German brandy before leaving. He reported the ship erroneously as the Panamanian steam merchant Portland. One boat with 14 survivors landed after 18 hours at Samaná, Dominican Republic, while the other boat arrived 12 hours later.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


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