U-boat rammed by British tanker

[Chiad Fhear]

And while we're at it ...

I've attached the Captain's request for re-issue of his "Ticket" following the loss of the "Tritonia" 

Chiad Fhear

[Flattybasher9]

The Baynesk was sunk by U-39.

U-39 :- Fate   
18 May 1918 - Interned at Cartagena, Spain after being damaged by allied escorts and aircraft that same day. Surrendered to France on 22 Mar 1919 and was broken up at Toulon in 1923..

Malky

[seaweed]

[The incident can be further researched. The next step would probably be to get a hold of Murray’s statement about the exchange with a U-boat. This should be at The National Archives, Kew in file ADM 137/3997. With the specifics on where and when from ADM 137/3997, it should be possible to identify the U-boat involved.[/i]

I will be at Kew on 6/3/18 if thats any use.

[Flattybasher9]

As my last post

https://uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/677.html

Malky

[ADM]

Some fabulous research going on here, well done everyone.

[Flattybasher9]

Ref your comments in reply 26.

"Wednesday, 25 July 1917, Baynyassa, 4,937grt, armed. Gun attack, saved by own gunfire (H/Mn)"
"NOTABLE ESCAPES :- In the last week of July, the Baynyassa (4,937 tons; master, Mr. G. B. Murray), the Livonia (1,879 tons; master, Mr. H. G. Orchard), and the Devona (3,779 tons; master, Mr. D. R. Murray), who had been in action already on June 20th, all turned the tables on their attackers by the accuracy of their gunfire, while the Beacon Grange (4,237 tons) escaped mainly through the skilful navigation of her master, Mr. W. Keslake. In all these cases decora­tions were awarded."

At times families do exaggerate stories, especially about bravery. In our family, when I was a child, the story was that my uncle had his left lower leg blown off by a land mine when entering Germany during WW11. There even was a piece of shrapnel to go with the story. We thought how brave, managing to survive etc. Some years later, the truth came out, and the lower leg was actually removed due to the onset of Gangrene.

Malky

[ADM]

I wonder if my father lied about the scars on his back when he told me that like my Grandfather he too was torpedoed in WWII. In his case he lay wounded for days before being rescued. He bore the physical and mental scars for the rest of his life.

My family have served in the military for generations and as I said, are not given to exaggeration for lies. My comments stand, and we'll leave it at that.

[Chiad Fhear]

Hi all

News just in from Michael at https://uboat.net :— The action, following which George was awarded the D.S.O., is outlined in:

"Reported Destruction of Submarines" (ADM 239/26):
"July 25, 47°52'N, 11°44'W (Atlantic) Possibly slightly damaged
S.S. Baynyassa at 0600 sighted the periscope of a S/m (submarine) on port bow. Headed for S/m in order to ram and succeeded in hitting her with port bow. S/m came to surface 10 minutes later. Ship opened fire and S/m replied with two guns. Fourth shot appeared to hit S/m. Smoke boxes were burning and when smoke cleared away the S/m was seen with her forepart under water."

Map is from Google Earth

The reference in the Obituary to Captain George having "commanded fuel tankers" gave rise to the erroneous assumption 

Good result all round!

Chiad Fhear

[seaweed]

Just an update,
The document ADM137/3997 confirms that the vessel involved in the ramming was BAYNYASSA. It is inconclusive as to wether or not the Submarine was sunk.

SW