Ships hit by U-boats


Araraquara

Brazilian Motor passenger ship



Photo courtesy of Nelson Carrera

NameAraraquara
Type:Motor passenger ship
Tonnage4,872 tons
Completed1927 - Cantiere Federale per Construzione Navale Triestino, Monfalcone 
OwnerLloyd Nacional SA, Rio de Janeiro 
HomeportRio de Janeiro 
Date of attack16 Aug 1942Nationality:      Brazilian
 
FateSunk by U-507 (Harro Schacht)
Position12° 00'S, 37° 19'W - Grid FJ 8495
Complement142 (131 dead and 11 survivors).
Convoy
RouteRio de Janeiro (11 Aug) - Salvador, Bahia (15 Aug) - Recife - Pernambuco 
CargoGeneral cargo 
History Completed in October 1927 
Notes on event

At 02.03 hours on 16 Aug 1942 the unescorted and neutral Araraquara (Master Lauro Augusto Teixeira de Freitas) was hit between holds #1 and #3 and in the engine room by two torpedoes from U-507 and sank with a heavy list in 5 minutes about 20 miles from the mouth of the Real river. Only one lifeboat could be launched due to the list, the darkness and rough seas. Eleven survivors managed to reach the coast. 66 crew members and 65 passengers were lost.

The sinking of five Brazilian ships by U-507 with over 500 casualties within two days, led to the Brazilian declaration of war against Germany on 22 Aug 1942.

 


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