Date of attack

12 Dec 1942  

Fate

Sunk by U-161 (Albrecht Achilles)

Position

00.35S, 32.17W - Grid FC 5247

Complement

41 (0 dead and 41 survivors).

Route

Forcados - Duala - Takoradi (1 Dec) - Trinidad - UK

Cargo

9000 tons of palm oil, mahogany and rubber

History

Completed in December 1936 for Thomasson Shipping Co Ltd (Stephens, Sutton Ltd), Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

1940 sold to South American Saint Line, Cardiff.

Notes on event

At 14.24 hours on 12 Dec, 1942, the unescorted Ripley (Master Sydney Beeston Davis) was hit by two torpedoes from U-161 southwest of St. Paul Rocks and sank capsizing after a coup de grâce hit amidships at 14.41 hours.

The Germans questioned the survivors before leaving the area.

The master, 33 crew members and seven gunners were rescued:

The master and 28 survivors landed at Cape Branco, Brazil and the chief officer and eleven survivors were picked up by the British steam merchant Royal Star and landed at Buenos Aires on 23 December.

1940 Purchased from Stephens, Sutton & Co

1942 Torpedoed and sunk in Atlantic