Ships hit by U-boats


Josif Stalin

Soviet Motor tanker


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NameJosif Stalin
Type:Motor tanker
Tonnage7,745 tons
Completed1934 - Zavod No 198 (Andre Marti), Nikolaev 
OwnerSovtorgflot, Moscow 
HomeportTuapse 
Date of attack18 Nov 1943Nationality:      Soviet
 
FateDamaged by U-18 (Karl Fleige)
Position43° 51'N, 39° 14'E - Grid CL 9179
Complement? men (? dead and ? survivors).
Convoy
RouteBatumi - Tuapse 
Cargo 
History Completed in April 1934 as Ural, later that year renamed Josif Stalin.

At 20.34 hours on 23 June 1943, U-18 reported one hit on a steamer near Sukhumi but could not observe the result. In fact, the Josif Stalin was missed in this attack.

Post-war:
1962 renamed Nikolaev. 1971 sold to Japan and renamed Toyo Maru for her last voyage to the breakers yard at Kaohsiung, arriving on 5 December 1971. 
Notes on event

At 17.15 hours on 18 November 1943, U-18 fired two torpedoes at a Soviet convoy, observed two hits on the Josif Stalin about 14 miles west-northwest of Lazarevskoje and reported the sinking of the ship after 20 minutes. However the crew managed to extinguish a fire aboard the tanker and continued to Tuapse at 6 knots, but could not enter the port due to the increased draft. On 20 November, the ship was towed back to Batumi where she was repaired and returned to service.

 


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