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

Screws

141921

Workman Clark

Belfast

Workman Clark

Belfast

Steam 3 Cyl

2500 IHP