World War IIMS Lenda

The Norwegian MS Lenda was en route from Port Wade to Hull with a cargo of 1,921 standards of sawn timber when the vessel was shelled and set on fire by the German U-boat U-47 on 27 June 1940 in position 50°12’N 13°18’W, near the entrance to St. George’s Channel. During the shelling, which lasted 20 minutes, the crew took cover behind the deck cargo. The ship caught fire but was later boarded. Realizing that saving the vessel was hopeless, the crew abandoned ship. Shortly afterwards, Lenda exploded and sank 160 nautical miles off Fastnet. The first mate was lost in the sinking. The survivors were rescued the same day and brought ashore in Plymouth.

About MS Lenda

  • Nationality

    Flag Norway

  • Built

    1924

  • Wrecked

    27.06.1940

  • Carrier

    Leif Erichsens Rederi A/S, Bergen

  • Tonnage

    6650 dvt

Casualties