SS Bengrove

Last updated

History
Civil Ensign of the United Kingdom.svgUnited Kingdom
NameBengrove
Owner Joseph Hoult & Co
Port of registry Liverpool
BuilderCraig, Taylor & Co, Stockton
Yard number139
Launched24 February 1910
CompletedApril 1910
Identification
Fatesunk by torpedo, 7 March 1915
General characteristics [1]
Type cargo ship
Tonnage3,840  GRT, 2,389  NRT
Length345.0 ft (105.2 m)
Beam51.2 ft (15.6 m)
Depth25.4 ft (7.7 m)
Decks1
Installed power342 NHP
Propulsion

SS Bengrove was a collier registered in Liverpool, England. Thousands of people on shore saw her explode and sink in the Bristol Channel on Sunday 7 March 1915. [2]

The ship left Barry at about 4:00 am under sealed orders, carrying a cargo of 5,000 tons of coal. Later that day, [3] in the Bristol Channel, about five miles off the coast of Ilfracombe, an explosion occurred under the ship amidships. The ship sounded her siren and the crew entered the lifeboats. The siren was heard on shore and the Ilfracombe coast guard sent lifeboats to the area. There were 21 other steamers in the area at the time of the explosion and six of them offered assistance to the foundering ship. All 33 crew were saved and taken to Ilfracombe pier. Early reports were unsure what had caused the explosion. There was speculation that the ship had struck a mine or torpedo. [2] The cause was later determined to have been a torpedo fired by German U-boat U-20. [4] [5]

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References

  1. "SS Bengrove ? [+ 1915]". wrecksite.eu. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
  2. 1 2 "Thousands on shore see ship blown up" . The New York Times. 9 March 1915. p. 1. Retrieved 19 October 2007 via Times Machine.
  3. "British merchant ships lost to enemy action Part 1 of 3 – Years 1914, 1915, 1916 in date order". Naval-History.net. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  4. "Ilfracombe Shipwrecks". Archived from the original on 19 September 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
  5. "British World War I merchant ship losses – B" . Retrieved 25 October 2007.[ dead link ]

Bibliography

51°21′04″N4°06′58″W / 51.351°N 4.116°W / 51.351; -4.116