King Alfred (British Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII (original) (raw)
Ships hit by U-boats
British Steam merchant
Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart
| Name | King Alfred | |
|---|---|---|
| Type: | Steam merchant | |
| Tonnage | 5,272 tons | |
| Completed | 1919 - William Doxford & Sons Ltd, Sunderland | |
| Owner | Dodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London | |
| Homeport | Sunderland | |
| Date of attack | 4 Aug 1940 | Nationality:  British |
| Fate | Sunk by U-52 (Otto Salman) | |
| Position | 56° 59'N, 17° 38'W - Grid AL 0344 | |
| Complement | 39 (8 dead and 31 survivors). | |
| Convoy | HX-60 | |
| Route | St. John’s - Halifax - Methil | |
| Cargo | 6750 tons of pit props | |
| History | Launched as War Azalea, completed in September 1919 as King Alfred | |
| Notes on event | At 03.35 and 03.38 hours on 4 August 1940, U-52 fired torpedoes at convoy HX-60 about 300 miles west-northwest of Bloody Foreland and sank the King Alfred and Gogovale.The King Alfred (Master Richard Storm) broke in two, the bow sank and the stern was sunk by HMS Vanoc (H 33) (LtCdr J.G.W. Deneys, RN), which also picked up the master, 29 crew members and one gunner and landed them at Liverpool. Eight crew members were lost. | |
| On board | We have details of 9 people who were on board. |
Location of attack on King Alfred.
ship sunk.
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