Ships hit by U-boats


Ripley

British Motor merchant



Photo courtesy of Allan C. Green Collection

NameRipley
Type:Motor merchant
Tonnage4,997 tons
Completed1936 - William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland 
OwnerSouth American Saint Line, Cardiff 
HomeportCardiff 
Date of attack12 Dec 1942Nationality:      British
 
FateSunk by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles)
Position0° 35'S, 32° 17'W - Grid FC 5247
Complement41 (0 dead and 41 survivors).
Convoy
RouteForcados - Duala - Takoradi (1 Dec) - Trinidad - UK 
Cargo9000 tons of palm oil, mahogany and rubber 
History Completed in December 1936 for Thomasson Shipping Co Ltd (Stephens, Sutton Ltd), Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 1940 sold to South American Saint Line, Cardiff. 
Notes on event

At 14.24 hours on 12 Dec 1942 the unescorted Ripley (Master Sydney Beeston Davis) was hit by two torpedoes from U-161 southwest of St. Paul Rocks and sank capsizing after a coup de grĂ¢ce hit amidships at 14.41 hours. The Germans questioned the survivors before leaving the area. The master, 33 crew members and seven gunners were rescued: The master and 28 survivors landed at Cape Branco, Brazil and the chief officer and eleven survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Royal Star and landed at Buenos Aires on 23 December.

 
On boardWe have details of 4 people who were on board


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