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Kriegsmarine and U-Boat history

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Ship Details
EMPIRE SAILOR
former namesCELLINA 1940
tons6,140
typeMotor Freighter
nationality  BR
built1926
voyageLIVERPOOL for ST JOHN (N.B.)
cargo2700 tons general incl. 270 tons phosgene bombs & 26 tns of concentrated mustard gas in 68 drums
masterFred Wilkinson Fairley
casualties23 lost from a complement of 63
attackerU 518
date21.11.1942
time0423
fatetorpedoed
square reported  BB9515
position43.53N/55.12W
Notes
Alan Fairley writes:
With regard to casualties of the 63 persons on board, 3 crew members were reported missing presumed drowned. 60 persons were rescued by HMCS Timmins & Minas including the Master, 49 crew members, 5 DEMS Gunners, 2 Canadian Signalmen,3 CanadianArmy Personnel.

Susequently a further 17 members of the crew and 3 of the DEMS Gunners died (18 on board the rescue vessels and 2 in Halifax) as a direct result of inhaling phosgene gas from a consignment of rocket shells which had been stowed in No.4 Deep Tank and struck by the torpedo from U-518.

Thanks to Alan Fairley for extra information on this page.

Unless otherwise stated, all dates and times are from the German perspective and are given in CET.
NEW There is a page to assist with grid squares here.

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