Shipping losses on
2nd January 1941

A number of vessels were lost on 2nd January 1941, in what was one of the darkest years for merchant shipping and seamen during World War II. Just two of these are highlighted here:

nalgoraNALGORA of British India. She was 6,600grt, and 433 feet long, built by William Gray in 1922. Built to carry grain or cotton in bulk, she had no passenger accommodation. Whilst in Convoy OB 261, from Leith to Alexandria, she was sunk by stern torpedo and 70 rounds from deck gun from the German submarine U-65 in position 22°24’N 21°11’W at 22.07 hours , 350 miles north of the Cape Verde Islands. All crew survived.

meriones-01MERIONES of China Mutual. She was 7,557grt and 455 feet long, built by Palmers at Newcastle in 1922. She was in a convoy heading for Hull to complete loading cargo before heading for Australia. She grounded on a wreck on 22nd January 1941 and was abandoned. The crew were rescued by the Cromer lifeboat. Bombed by aircraft and sunk in position 52°53’N 01°47’E 26th January 1941, off Cromer.

Details of these and other vessels are in the book “Ships of the British Merchant Navy “– a fascinating summary of the careers of all vessels.