Glenorchy

[john sefton]

Weight (tons): 8982 grt, dimensions : 154,5 x 20,2 x 9,5 m, material: steelengine: 2x 6cyl diesel engines, twin screws, armament: 1x 4inch gun, 2x 40mm guns, 6x 20mm guns, 3 depth charges, DCS, depth charges, a layout of a Mark-9 type depth charge. power: 2469 n.h.p, speed: 18 knots, yard no.: 277
GLENORCHY was built in 1939 by Tailoo Dock & Engineering Co. at Hong Kong, for Glen Line, with a tonnage of 8982grt a length of 507ft, a beam of 66ft 4 in and a service speed of 18 knots. On delivery she embarked upon commercial operations but only until June 1940 when she was requisitioned for government supply work in the Mediterranean where she took part in the Malta convoys but before the Africa campaign really got underway.
In late 1941 she returned to the UK where she was fitted with anti-aircraft guns. On 3rd August she sailed from the Clyde with a full cargo of stores for Malta and between 10th - 13th August took part in the most famous Malta Convoy WS21 S, Operation Pedestal.
On 13th August at 04.30 she was torpedoed and sunk by E-boats five miles north west of Keliba lighthouse, Tunisia. She was one of five vessels sunk in the Narrows and there were no survivors.
Sources: http://www.red-duster.co.uk/GLEN10.htm. Merchant Fleets 22 - Glen and Shire Lines by Duncan Haws. http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?143465. http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/vi ... eep.220872. http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings ... -1942-7667.
From Mr P Crichton

[aukepalmhof]

Miramar gives only 7 men were killed. Other source, 67 crew and 7 gunners were take POW’s.