King Edward (2)

Date of attack

27 Dec 1942

Fate

Sunk by U-356 (Günther Ruppelt)

Position 47.25N, 25.20W - Grid BD 63

Complement

48 (23 dead and 25 survivors).

Convoy

ONS-154

Route

Hull - Loch Ewe (19 Dec) - New York

Cargo

Ballast

History  

Launched as War Terrier, completed in September 1919 as Gorala for British India Steam Navigation Co Ltd, London. 1924 renamed King Edward for Dodd, Thomson & Co Ltd, London.

Torpedoed and Sunk in The North Atlantic - 1942

King Edward

Left  Hull

For  New York

Lost  27 December 1942

Fate

Master

J H Ewens

Survived

Third Radio Officer

D W MacLachlan

Lost

Second Engineer

G Lyall

Lost

Bosun

D Deas

Lost

Able Seamen

L Dick

G Moss

W L Patterson

W W Roper

Lost

Lost

Lost

Survived

Donkeyman

R W H Rhodes

Lost

Greaser

S W Eggleton

Lost

Fireman/Trimmers

A Atlass

E Carter

F Farmer

W Frude

D Langthorpe

H Newby

C M Rowe

P F Thorley

All Lost

Steward

W H Heather

Lost

Cook

J C Cutter

Lost

Cabin Boy

H W Drewery

Lost

Notes on loss  

About 02.40 hours on 27 Dec, 1942, the Empire Union and Melrose Abbey in convoy ONS-154 were torpedoed and sunk north-northeast of the Azores. About 03.10 hours, the Soekaboemi and King Edward were also hit. All ships must have been torpedoed by U-356, which was herself lost after the attacks.

19 crew members and four gunners from King Edward (Master James Herbert Ewens) were lost.

The master, 15 crew members and four gunners were picked up by the Toward (Master Gordon K. Hudson) and landed at Halifax on 9 January. Five crew members were rescued by HMCS Napanee (K 118) (Lt S. Henderson, RCNR) and landed at St. Johns.

Vessel

Built

Service

Tonnage

King Edward (2)

1919

Ex War Terrier

1924 Purchased renamed King Edward

1942 Toroedoed and sunk in Atlantic

5217

Official Number

Ship Builder

Engine Builder

Engine Type

HP

Screws

141921

Workman Clark

Belfast

Workman Clark

Belfast

Steam 3 Cyl

2500 IHP

1

King Line Steamship Co
Group Register