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===Loss=== |
===Loss=== |
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On 9 July 1943 the small fast convoy ''Faith'', comprising [[MV Port Fairy|MV ''Port Fairy'']], the troopships [[SS Duchess of York|''Duchess of York'']] and ''California'', and escorted by [[HMCS Iroquois (G89)|HMCS ''Iroquois'']], [[HMS Douglas (D90)|HMS ''Douglas'']] and [[HMS Moyola (K260)|HMS ''Moyola'']], sailed [[Plymouth]] for [[Freetown]], [[Sierra Leone]]. On 11 July 1943 when about 300 miles west of [[Vigo, Spain|Vigo]], [[Spain]], the convoy was attacked by three [[Focke-Wulf Fw 200]] aircraft of [[Kampfgeschwader 40]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercantilemarine.org/showthread.php?t=110&page=2|title=Mercantile Marine.com|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> based at [[Bordeaux - Mérignac Airport|Merignac]] near [[Bordeaux]]. [[Image:Focke Wulf Fw200.jpg|thumb|Focke Wulf Fw200]] |
On 9 July 1943 the small fast convoy ''Faith'', comprising [[MV Port Fairy|MV ''Port Fairy'']], the troopships [[SS Duchess of York|''Duchess of York'']] and ''California'', and escorted by [[HMCS Iroquois (G89)|HMCS ''Iroquois'']], [[HMS Douglas (D90)|HMS ''Douglas'']] and [[HMS Moyola (K260)|HMS ''Moyola'']], sailed [[Plymouth]] for [[Freetown]], [[Sierra Leone]]. On 11 July 1943 when about 300 miles west of [[Vigo, Spain|Vigo]], [[Spain]], the convoy was attacked by three [[Focke-Wulf Fw 200]] aircraft of [[Kampfgeschwader 40]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercantilemarine.org/showthread.php?t=110&page=2|title=Mercantile Marine.com|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> based at [[Bordeaux - Mérignac Airport|Merignac]] near [[Bordeaux]]. [[Image:Focke Wulf Fw200.jpg|thumb|Focke Wulf Fw200]] |
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Accurate high-altitude bombing left the ''Duchess of York'' and ''California'' blazing.<ref name=MD> {{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/maritime-1a.html|title=Maritime Disasters of World War II|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> Both ships were abandoned, and in the early hours of 12 July<ref name=MD/> they were sunk by Royal Navy torpedoes in position {{coord|41|15|N|15|24|W|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?32081|title=Wrecksite.eu website - SS ''California''|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> as it was feared the flames from the ships would attract [[U boats]]. The attack cost the lives of |
Accurate high-altitude bombing left the ''Duchess of York'' and ''California'' blazing.<ref name=MD> {{cite web|url=http://members.iinet.net.au/~gduncan/maritime-1a.html|title=Maritime Disasters of World War II|accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> Both ships were abandoned, and in the early hours of 12 July<ref name=MD/> they were sunk by Royal Navy torpedoes in position {{coord|41|15|N|15|24|W|}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?32081|title=Wrecksite.eu website - SS ''California''|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> as it was feared the flames from the ships would attract [[U boats]]. The attack cost the lives of forty six servicemen and crew.<ref> {{cite web|url=http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/lines/anchor.html|title=Anchor Line at Ships List website|accessdate=2008-06-25}}</ref> |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 12:46, 2 January 2010
 SS California passing the Statue of Liberty, New York, 1925.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 UK | |
| Name | SS California |
| Namesake | California |
| Owner | Anchor Line |
| Port of registry | Glasgow |
| Route | Glasgow/New York |
| Builder | Alexander Stephen & Sons, Glasgow |
| Yard number | 494 [2] |
| Launched | 17 April 1923[2] |
| Identification | Official number: 1147871[1] |
| Fate | Crippled by German air attack 11 July 1943 and sunk the next day by the Royal Navy |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 16,792 GRT [2] |
| Length | 167.64 m (550.0 ft) |
| Beam | 21.34 m (70.0 ft) |
| Propulsion | list error: mixed text and list (help)
|
| Speed | 16 kn (30 km/h)[1] |
SS California was a British steam-powered passenger ship of 16,792 tons built in 1923 by Alexander Stephen & Sons, Glasgow for the Anchor Line (Henderson Brothers) Ltd, Glasgow.
Career
Construction
California was built by Alexander Stephen & Sons of Linthouse, Glasgow, Scotland in 1923. Photographs of the ship taken in the 1930s show only one funnel, suggesting either a major refit, or that the original fore and aft funnels were for show only. Note the Infobox photograph shows smoke emerging only from the middle funnel.
Pre-War
She carried passengers between Glasgow and New York, and in 1935 she was transferred to the Anchor Line (1935) Ltd.
World War II
In 1939 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to a Armed Merchant Cruiser, and from 1942 she was used as a Troopship.
Loss
On 9 July 1943 the small fast convoy Faith, comprising MV Port Fairy, the troopships Duchess of York and California, and escorted by HMCS Iroquois, HMS Douglas and HMS Moyola, sailed Plymouth for Freetown, Sierra Leone. On 11 July 1943 when about 300 miles west of Vigo, Spain, the convoy was attacked by three Focke-Wulf Fw 200 aircraft of Kampfgeschwader 40[3] based at Merignac near Bordeaux.
Accurate high-altitude bombing left the Duchess of York and California blazing.[4] Both ships were abandoned, and in the early hours of 12 July[4] they were sunk by Royal Navy torpedoes in position 41°15′N 15°24′W / 41.250°N 15.400°W[5] as it was feared the flames from the ships would attract U boats. The attack cost the lives of forty six servicemen and crew.[6]
External links
References
- ^ a b
|register={{{register}}}is not a valid registry name (help) - ^ a b c "Clyde Built database". Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Mercantile Marine.com". Retrieved 2008-06-20.
- ^ a b "Maritime Disasters of World War II". Retrieved 2008-06-20.
- ^ "Wrecksite.eu website - SS California". Retrieved 2008-06-25.
- ^ "Anchor Line at Ships List website". Retrieved 2008-06-25.