World War IIMT Caledonia
The Norwegian MT Caledonia was sailing in convoy from Halifax to a British port, carrying 13,700 tons of oil. On 28 April 1941, the convoy was attacked by four German U-boats. That same day, Caledonia was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-96. The torpedo struck the engine room, killing seven men. Water flooded in, and the vessel sank stern first. Twenty-four men made it into a lifeboat, while six remained on board. A British tanker ahead of them had been torpedoed around the same time, and a petrol fire spread across the surface of the sea. Only one of the six managed to jump into the lifeboat; the remaining five were carried into the flames and were lost. The lifeboat tried several times to reach them but was forced to give up due to the intense heat. The survivors were picked up a few hours later and brought ashore in Greenock on 1 May. Twelve lives were lost in the sinking.
About MT Caledonia
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1936
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Wrecked
28.04.1941
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Carrier
Lorentzens Rederi Co.,Oslo
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Tonnage
14825 dvt
