Nova Scotia
British Troop transport
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Nova Scotia | ||
| Type: | Troop transport | ||
| Tonnage | 6,796 tons | ||
| Completed | 1926 - Vickers Ltd, Barrow-in-Furness | ||
| Owner | Furness, Withy & Co Ltd, Liverpool | ||
| Homeport | Liverpool | ||
| Date of attack | 28 Nov 1942 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-177 (Robert Gysae) | ||
| Position | 28° 30'S, 33° 00'E - Grid KP 8325 | ||
| Complement | 1052 (858 dead and 194 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Port Tewfik - Aden (18 Nov) - Durban | ||
| Cargo | Passengers, 780 Italian civilian internees and 3000 bags of mail | ||
| History | Completed in May 1926 as steam passenger ship. In January 1941 requisitioned by the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and used as troopship. | ||
| Notes on event | At 07.15 hours on 28 Nov 1942 the unescorted Nova Scotia (Master Alfred Hender) was hit by three torpedoes from U-177 and sank burning by the bow within 10 minutes southeast of Lourenço Marques. When the Germans tried to identify the ship by questioning the survivors, they took the first two men aboard after hearing Italian voices. After the two Italian merchant sailors explained the situation, Gysae decided to leave the area and radioed the BdU for orders. Due to the events after the sinking of Laconia, the U-boat was ordered to continue its patrol and the BdU notified the Portuguese who sent the frigate Alfonso de Albuquerque from Lourenço Marques. The ship rescued 17 crew members, one gunner, three military and naval personnel, one passenger, 42 guards and 130 internees. The master, 96 crew members, ten gunners, eight military and naval personnel, five passengers, 88 South African guards and 650 Italian internees were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 992 people who were on board. | ||
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