Piako
British Steam merchant
Photo courtesy of State Library of New South Wales
| Name | Piako | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 8,286 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - A. Stephen & Sons Ltd, Linthouse, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd, London | ||
| Homeport | Plymouth | ||
| Date of attack | 18 May 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-107 (Günter Hessler) | ||
| Position | 7° 52'N, 14° 57'W - Grid ET 2988 | ||
| Complement | 75 (10 dead and 65 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Albany, Western Australia - Freetown - Liverpool | ||
| Cargo | 7100 tons refrigerated goods, 1500 tons zinc, 1500 tons butter, 1500 tons meat and 24 bags of mail | ||
| History | Laid down as War Orestes for The Shipping Controller, completed in December 1920 as Piako for New Zealand Shipping Co Ltd, London. | ||
| Notes on event | At 22.27 hours on 18 May 1941 the unescorted Piako (Master Benjamin Evans) was hit underneath the bridge by one torpedo from U-107 about 130 miles southwest of Freetown, stopped, sent distress signals and was abandoned by the crew. A coup de grâce was fired at 22.43 hours, which hit in the after part, broke off the stern and caused the ship to sink. Ten crew members were lost. The master, 62 crew members and two gunners were picked up by HMS Bridgewater (U 01) (Cdr H.F.G. Leftwich, RN) and landed at Freetown. | ||
| On board | We have details of 12 people who were on board. | ||
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