Italian submarine 'Cappellini' sinking of SS Shakespear

On January 1st, 1941, SS Shakespear was part of a convoy bound from Liverpool to North America.

Shakespear had a crew of 40, two gunners, and one small gun aft.

Off Senegal, the sub opened up at roughly 6000 yards, Shakespear returned fire, which landed close to the sub.

At Port Pirie in South Australia

After roughly two hours of fighting, the sub landed a shell right on the gun, killing three (apparently both gunners and one crew). 3rd Officer Percy Jones, who was awarded the George Medal for this action, commanded the gun position & was wounded in the head & chest, but kept fighting until the gun was KO'd. There was a fire quickly burning in the bridgehouse and the holds of the ship, which was heavily damaged.

Ordinary Seaman Anderson, on his first voyage, was WIA but wouldn't leave his post at the gun station, was killed when the gun was hit. He was 16 yrs old, & awarded a Lloyd's Bravery at Sea War Medal. 18 crew & both gunners were KIA.

Survivors, including the captain, abandoned ships into their boats, & afterwards the sub put in the coupe de grace & sunk the burning ship.

The CO of the sub was Lt Cdr Salvatore Todaro, who towed the boats until they were in site of land, & was noted by the survivors for his humane treatment of them.