Cervantes (British Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII (original) (raw)
Ships hit by U-boats
British Steam merchant
Photo courtesy of the Allen Collection
| Name | Cervantes | |
|---|---|---|
| Type: | Steam merchant | |
| Tonnage | 1,810 tons | |
| Completed | 1919 - H. & C. Grayson Ltd, Garston, Liverpool | |
| Owner | MacAndrews & Co Ltd, London | |
| Homeport | London | |
| Date of attack | 27 Sep 1941 | Nationality:  British |
| Fate | Sunk by U-201 (Adalbert Schnee) | |
| Position | 48° 37'N, 20° 01'W - Grid BE 1939 | |
| Complement | 40 (8 dead and 32 survivors). | |
| Convoy | HG-73 | |
| Route | Lisbon - Liverpool | |
| Cargo | 500 tons of potash and 400 tons of cork | |
| History | Completed in July 1919 | |
| Notes on event | At 02.08 hours on 27 Sep 1941, U-201 fired a spread of two torpedoes at a steamer of 5000 tons and a corvette in convoy HG-73 north-northeast of the Azores, observed a bright flash close to the escort and a steamer sinking immediately. In fact, one torpedo apparently detonated prematurely close to the Leadgate in station #41 but the other hit and sank the Cervantes (Master Henry Austin Fraser) in station #53. The day before the ship had picked up three survivors from Avoceta after she had been sunk from the same convoy by U-203 (Mützelburg). Three crew members, two gunners and three passengers were lost. The master, 27 crew members, three gunners, one passenger and the three rescued survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Starling from the same convoy and landed at Liverpool on 1 October.The ship was repatriating four survivors (DBS) from the Ciscar, which had been sunk by U-201 (Schnee) on 19 August. | |
| On board | We have details of 6 people who were on board. |
Location of attack on Cervantes.
ship sunk.
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.