HMS Transylvania (F 56)
British Armed Merchant Cruiser
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | HMS Transylvania (F 56) | ||
| Type: | Armed Merchant Cruiser | ||
| Tonnage | 16,923 tons (one of the largest ships sunk). | ||
| Completed | 1925 - Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co Ltd, Govan, Glasgow | ||
| Owner | The Admiralty | ||
| Homeport | Glasgow | ||
| Date of attack | 10 Aug 1940 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-56 (Otto Harms) | ||
| Position | 55° 50'N, 8° 03'W - Grid AM 5354 | ||
| Complement | 336 (36 dead and 300 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Clyde (9 Aug) - patrol area | ||
| Cargo | |||
| History | Completed in September 1925 as the steam passenger ship Transylvania for Anchor Line (Henderson Bros) Ltd, Glasgow. In August 1939 requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to the armed merchant cruiser HMS Transylvania (F 56). | ||
| Notes on event | At 01.00 hours on 10 Aug 1940, HMS Transylvania (F 56) (Capt F.N. Miles, OBE, Rtd, RN) was hit aft of the stack by one G7e torpedo from U-56 about 40 miles northwest of Malin Head, Co. Donegal. The ship of the 10th Cruiser Squadron on Northern Patrol had been spotted by the U-boat only 15 minutes before and the Germans had to left her behind because they had no torpedoes left. The disabled vessel was taken in tow but later foundered, while nearby trawlers rescued about 300 officers and ratings assisted by HMS Ashanti (F 51) (Cdr W.G. Davis, RN). Three officers and 33 ratings were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 38 people who were on board. | ||
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