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.
Torpedoed and Sunk off Scottish Coast - 1940
Vessel |
Built
|
Service
|
Armaments
|
Tonnage
|
HMS Durham Castle
|
1904
|
Ex Durham Castle
1939 Requisitioned as accomodation and stores ship
1940 Mined and sunk off Cromarty
|
None
|
8217
|
Official Number
|
Ship Builder
|
Engine Builder
|
Engine Type
|
HP
|
Screws
|
118387
|
Fairfield
Glasgow
|
Fairfield
Glasgow
|
2 x Steam 4 Cyl
|
969 NHP
|
2
|