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ESSO International Tankers 1930-1939
Penelope - (1935-1942)
See also : ESCAPE FROM FLAMES

The "Penelope", was build in 1925 for the Baltisch-Amerikanische Petroleum-Import GmbH, Danzig.
From 1928 managed by Waried Tankschiff Rhederei GmbH, Hambrg.
In 1935 to the Panama Transport Co., Panama.
On 13.3.1942 torpedoed by the U-67 on the voyage, Carapito to Halifax.
Sunken in position 15.00 N / 64.20 W.
47 crew members where saved by the British "Iroquois", 2 men died.

The Miramar Ship Index for "PENELOPE"
IDNo:
5606281
Year:
1925
Name:
PENELOPE
Launch Date:
06.1925
Type:
Tanker
Date of completion:
09.1925
Flag:
DZG
Keel:

Tons:
8939
Link:
-
DWT:
Yard No:
663
Length overall:
Ship Design:
LPP:
143.3
Country of build:
DEU
Beam:
19.3
Builder:
Howaldtswerke
Material of build:
Location of yard:
Kiel
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
2D-10.5

Subsequent History:
-

Disposal Data:
Torpedoed and sunk 15.00 N / 64.20 W on 14.03.1942.

History :
ON
LR/IMO
ID
Year
Name
Tons
Change
Main Owner
5606281
1925
PENELOPE
8939
-
Baltisch-Amerikan. Petr. GmbH.
5606281
1925
PENELOPE
8939
1935

Sisterships are "Leda" , simular ships in this group where "Thalia", "Calliope" (Ampetco (III)) and "Urania" (Ampetco (II)).

Additional Info by Starke & Schell Registers :

PENELOPE - 1925   DZ     2M (aft)   (10½)
8,938 GRT for Baltisch-Amerik. Petroleum G.m.b.H., Danzig     470.1 x 63.2
Tanker built by Howaldtswerke, Kiel  (9)   #663
1935 - Panama Transport Co., Panama   PA
Torp. and sunk by U 67, 14 March 1942, in 15N-64.20W, voy. Caripito - Halifax, crude oil.

Additional information from Uboat.net :

Name: Penelope
Type: Motor tanker
Tonnage: 8.436 tons
Completed: 1925 - Howaldtswerke AG, Kiel
Owner: Panama Transport Co, Panama
Homeport: Panama
Date of attack: 14 Mar, 1942
Nationality: Panaman
Fate: Sunk by U-67 (Günther Müller-Stöckheim)
Position: 15N, 64.20W - Grid EC 5345
- See location on a map -
Complement: 49 (2 dead and 47 survivors).
Convoy: -
Route: to Halifax
Cargo: crude oil
History: -
Notes on loss:
At 02.00 hours on 14 Mar, 1942, the unescorted Penelope was hit in the bow by one of two fired torpedoes from U-67 after being
hunted for three and a half hours. The ship caught fire, stopped and the crew abandoned ship in three lifeboats and one raft. A coup
de grâce fired at 02.19 hours hit near the funnel and caused the tanker to sink, while the oil was still burning on the surface. The
U-boat went to a lifeboat, questioned the survivors and gave them the course to Dominica before leaving the area.

When the tanker "Penelope" was torpedoed, the Navy coxswain in charge of the 10-man Armed Guard detachment was
able to identify the submarine type for the ship's captain. The U-boat captain spoke to the men in the boats; when told by
the ship's captain that the ship carried a crew of 50, the German officer corrected him, saying, "No, you have 39 and ten
US Navy gunners." He was right; the incident provided a sobering realization of how thorough the German's intelligence
information had been.