Ss horn shell

[Roderick Weale]

Can anyone help regarding the loss of the SS Horn Shell (London) on 26th July 1941? Ideally I would like to know the circumstances of her loss; where, how etc. Many thanks Rod Weale

[wightspirit]

Here's a start: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?146980 and https://discovery.nationalarchives.g...ils/r/D8652661

There might be survivor's reports in the UK National Archives.

Dave W

[ShaunKay]

Does anyone know where you can get a full list of the crew on Hornshell. My late father-in-law was the 2nd Radio Officer who survived in lifeboat #4. He was picked up after 19 days. cheers

[DeepSea]

From my unpublished book "The Sea is Their Grave"

Tanker Horn Shell, 8,272grt (Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co. Ltd) sailed independently in ballast from Gibraltar on the 22nd July 1941 bound for Curacao on government service. Four days later 256 nautical miles West of Madeira the tanker was intercepted by the Italian submarine Barbarigo. Struck by one torpedo in the engine room, which immediately began to flood, the ship began to settle by the stern. The order to abandon ship was given with the orders to stand by as the Master did not believe the ship would sink. Just over fifteen minutes later the ship was struck amidships by a second torpedo. With most of the crew away in the boats, two distress messages were sent as a third torpedo stuck number two hold followed a few seconds later with a fourth detonating in the engine room and the ship rolled over and eventually sank in position 33’ 22N 22’ 18W. Four boats set course set course for Madeira, but soon became separated in bad weather, which lasted for five days. The Second Officers boat with twelve survivors was found after eleven days by the Portuguese Merchant ship Africa Occidental, but the ships 1st Radio Officer (WALKER. T.A.) died the following day and was buried at sea, before the remaining survivors were landed at the Cape Verde Islands. Fifteen survivors in the Master’s boat were found by the Brazilian Merchant ship Cuyaba after twelve and a half days adrift and landed at Pernambuco and fourteen survivors in the Third Officers were found by a British Destroyer after nineteen days adrift and landed at Freetown. The boat in charge of by the ships Chief Officer with sixteen survivors on-board was never heard from again.

I have a copy of the original Survivors Report from the Horn Shell from Kew held in file ADM199/2137. The file size is to big to upload here, but if you email me at billy1963@ntlworld.com I will send you a copy.

The-Sea-is-Their-Grave-Cove.jpg

[ShaunKay]

Brilliant, thanks for your help

[DeepSea]

Does anyone know where you can get a full list of the crew on Hornshell. My late father-in-law was the 2nd Radio Officer who survived in lifeboat #4. He was picked up after 19 days. cheers

Her 1941 Log Book & Crew Agreements are held at Kew in file BT 381/1588 under the ships Official No. 162671

[ShaunKay]

Terrific thanks. I am just waiting on the wonderful people at Kew to send me the details.

[ShaunKay]

Hi All, Just wondering if any one who is researching MV Horn Shell has come across an article titled "...as the result of enemy action" which is an extract from reports and diaries of the Second and Third Officers of a torpedoed Tanker. I have a poor photocopy but would like to find an original if possible. It may have been posted in a Shell Group report as the 2 pages I have are pages 180 & 181. There is no other referance on it. There are photos of the men in lifeboats which includes the 2nd Radio officer (my late father-in-law) Any help would be fantastic. Thanks everyone. Shaun