On 26 January 1940 HMS Durham Castle, on passage from Rosyth to Scapa Flow, struck a mine laid on 21 January by U-57 and sank 3 miles east of Cromarty Firth, during a gale and in severe icy conditions.

The ship was in tow by the tug HMS Watermeyer for use as a blockship at Scapa Flow.

Date of attack

26 Jan 1940

Fate

Sunk by U-57 (Claus Korth)

Position Grid AN 1759

Route

to Scapa Flow

History

Completed in February 1904 as steam passenger ship Durham Castle for Union-Castle Mail SS Co Ltd, London. 1939 requisitioned by the Admiralty as stores and accommodation ship HMS Durham Castle.

Notes on loss

On 26 Jan, 1940, HMS Durham Castle struck a mine laid on 21 January by U-57 and sank 11 miles northeast of Cromarty, Scotland. The ship was in tow for Scapa Flow for use as an accommodation ship.