Mariners-L Archives

From: "steven nichols" <>
Subject: [Mar] SS Avoceta
Date: Sun, 04 Nov 2001 00:04:19 -0500

Mariners
SS Avoceta was to meet her end in waters in which she had sailed so
often in peacetime. On the 19th of Aug/41 she sailed under commodore
Rear-Admiral Sir Kenelm Creighton in convoy OG72 ( Liverpool- Gibraltar ),
arrived on 1st Sept. Made a short trip to Spain to pick up British woman and
children refugees, which Spanish Gov't no longer wanted, returned Gibraltar.
On the 17th of Sept/41 she sailed under same commodore in convoy HG73 ( 25
ships, 10 escorting corvettes and detroyers along with C.A.M. ship
Springbank with one Fulmar mounted ). Had on board 469 tons general cargo
and 128 passengers, crew of 40. Many were the refugees returning to UK.
Torpedoed aft, shortly after 2330hrs/25th Sept, sinking very fast stern
first. No time for lifeboats to be launched. U203 ( Mutzelburg ) sank two
other freighters with same four torpedo salvo as the one fired at Avoceta.
Survivors which numbered only 36 picked up by HMS Perwinkle. Commodore
survived, master of ship did not. Would very much like to have a jpeg of
Avoceta. Regards Steve.

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This thread:

• [Mar] SS Avoceta by "steven nichols" <>