Empire Kumari
British Steam merchant
Empire Kumari under her former name Sturmfels. Photo courtesy of Arnold Kludas
| Name | Empire Kumari | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 6,288 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - AG Weser, Bremen | ||
| Owner | Anchor Line (Henderson Bros) Ltd, Glasgow | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 26 Aug 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | A total loss by U-375 (Jürgen Koenenkamp) | ||
| Position | 31° 58'N, 34° 21'E - Grid CP 8239 | ||
| Complement | 92 (3 dead and 89 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | LW-38 | ||
| Route | Haifa (26 Aug) - Port Said | ||
| Cargo | 450 tons of bagged potash | ||
| History | Completed in March 1921 as Sturmfels for DDG Hansa, Bremen. On 28 Aug 1939, interned and laid up at Bandar Shapour, Iran. On 25 Aug 1941, set on fire by the crew in an attempt to scuttle the ship during the British Operation Countenance. Seized by Britain, repaired and renamed Empire Kumari by Ministry of War Transport (MoWT). | ||
| Notes on event | At 18.40 hours on 26 Aug 1942 the Empire Kumari (Master Robert Cunningham Streets) in convoy LW-38 was torpedoed by U-375 northeast of Port Said. Three crew members were lost. The master, 84 crew members and four gunners were picked up by HMS Gloxinia (K 22) (Lt A.F. Harkness, OBE, DSC, RNR) and landed at Haifa. The badly damaged vessel was taken in tow by the corvette. Later towed to Haifa Bay by HMS Brigand (W 83) and the Haifa harbour tug Roach, arriving on 27 August, but sank off breakwater during the evening. | ||
| On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.