K.G. Meldahl
Norwegian Steam merchant
| Name | K.G. Meldahl | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 3,799 tons | ||
| Completed | 1938 - Fredriksstad Mekaniske Verksted A/S, Fredrikstad | ||
| Owner | Kaare K. Rasmussens Rederi A/S, Sandefjord | ||
| Homeport | Sandefjord | ||
| Date of attack | 10 Nov 1942 | Nationality:  Norwegian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-181 (Wolfgang Lüth) | ||
| Position | 34° 59'S, 29° 45'E - Grid KZ 4681 | ||
| Complement | 33 (2 dead and 31 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York (20 Sep) - Port of Spain - Capetown (7 Nov) - Bombay | ||
| Cargo | Government and general cargo, including 750 tons of ammunition and aircraft in crates as deck cargo | ||
| History | Completed in September 1938 | ||
| Notes on event | At 08.27 hours on 10 Nov 1942 the unescorted K.G. Meldahl (Master Torjus Emil Johnsen) was hit on the starboard side in the engine room by one G7a torpedo from U-181 and sank after 9 minutes about 160 miles southeast of East London, South Africa. The ship had been missed with a G7a torpedo at 02.03 hours and again with a spread of two stern torpedoes at 02.42 hours. The U-boat was then noticed and needed 5 hours to get into a favorable attack position again. Two men died on watch below. The master, 27 crew members and two gunners abandoned ship in three lifeboats and were questioned by the Germans. The boats were later spotted by an aircraft which directed a South African minesweeper to their position. The survivors were picked up three days after the sinking and taken to Port Elisabeth. | ||
| More info | |||
| On board | We have details of 33 people who were on board. | ||
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