Ships hit by U-boats


Orania

Swedish Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of Lennart Falleth collection

NameOrania
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage1,854 tons
Completed1919 - A/B Lindholmens Varv, Gothenburg 
OwnerRederi-A/B Fredrika (Erik Höberg), Stockholm 
HomeportStockholm 
Date of attack11 Feb 1940Nationality:      Swedish
 
FateSunk by U-50 (Max-Hermann Bauer)
Position61° 33'N, 0° 07'W - Grid AF 7837
Complement24 (14 dead and 10 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBuenos Aires (6 Jan) - Malmö and Åhus, Sweden 
CargoMaize, bran and oil cake 
History Completed in August 1919 
Notes on event

At 23.54 hours on 11 February 1940 the unescorted Orania was hit by one torpedo from U-50 and sank within three minutes 65 miles north-northeast of Flugga Lightvessel, Shetland Islands. The U-boat had spotted the illuminated vessel at 22.40 hours, but was not able to identify her as neutral. The wife of the master was also aboard. All hands on board abandoned ship in two lifeboats, but one of them with 14 occupants was never seen again. The survivors in the other boat were picked up the next day by HMS Faulknor (H 62) (Capt C.S. Daniel, DSO, RN), transferred to HMS Foxhound (H 69) (LtCdr P.H. Hadow, RN) and landed at Lerwick.

 
On boardWe have details of 14 people who were on board


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