Heading for home

1600 12th Oct - 0800 18th Oct 1942

The Post Mortem on enemy submarines states that neither boat was especially equipped for the oil transfer and therefore , U-513 used various lengths of fire hose. While sailing on a parallel course at slow speed , the hose parted twice due to rough weather , but eventually 10 cubic meters of oil were taken over. The 500-ton U-boat from which the oil was taken was not identified but the log clearly states it was the U-757  she had either damaged or lost a propeller, in any case she could only proceed on one Diesel.



0800 18th Oct - 1200 22nd Oct 1942

 

Nearly home with four pennants flying

  

The U-513 returned to Lorient on the 22nd October 1942 , making most of the passage on the surface , at moderately high speed. She had four pennants flying, claiming a total of 29000 tons sunk. Thirteen torpedoes were believed to have been bought back, although one prisoner according to the US Interrogation of Survivors Report stated that only nine were left , fourteen having been used on the patrol.

On Sunday 25th October 1942 , formal awards were made. Korvettenkapitän Rüggeberg received the Iron Cross first and second class from Korvettenkapitän Kuhnke who in January 1942 became the commander of the 10th Flotilla ( Lorient ); all officers were awarded the Iron Cross second class, as were eight ratings and enlisted men. The U-513 was overhauled in the Keroman bunkers; these immense concrete pens were purpose built to house and maintain the U-boat fleet and are still in existence today. After less that a month the boat was ready to leave on her second patrol. She now carried the 10th Flotilla device, a black cross with a U-boat in the middle. 

SS: Saganaga



Completed in 1935 by D. & W. Henderson & Co Ltd of Glasgow this 5,454 ton steam merchant belonged to Christian Salvesen &  Co of Edinburgh; home port Leith Scotland. She was due to travel from Wabana - Sydney with a cargo of 8,300 tons of iron ore. She had a crew of 44 of which 14 survived her sinking. The captain with ten crew members and three gunners were rescued by a Customs launch and landed at Lance Cove, Bell Island on the 5th September 1942.

Lord Strathcona

Built in 1915 by William Doxford & Sons Ltd of Sunderland , the 7,355 ton steam merchant belonging to Dominion Shipping Co Ltd of Montreal Canada had her home port in Halifax. She was also due to travel to Sydney from Wabana with a cargo of iron ore. Because the captain and 43 crew members had prepared themselves to abandon ship after observing the first attack they all survived. A Customs launch rescued and landed the crew at Lana Bay . Bell Island.



The following list records all the seamen lost during the two German  U-boat attacks off the coast of Bell Island in 1942.

Saganaga. Tower Hill Panel 90.

BEATTIE, Second Engineer Officer, ROBERT, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 29. Son of Walter and Christina Beattie; husband of Janet Beattie, of Hawick, Roxburghshire.

BLACK, Third Radio Officer, DAVID NORMAN TILLEY, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 18. Son of W.O.I. (S.S.M.) Peter Black, R.A.P.C., and of Janetta Macdonald Black, of York. His father died in the United Kingdom.

BOURNE, Boatswain (Bosun), GEORGE, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 47. Husband of Florence Bourne, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

COOK, Fireman and Trimmer, HARRY, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 23.

COULTAS, Cabin Boy, STANLEY, S.S. Saganaga(Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 18. Son of Harry and Mary Agnes Coultas, of Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.

DAVISON, Cook, CHRISTOPHER SIDNEY, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 25.

DENNETT, Second Radio Officer, CECIL THEODORE ALEXANDER, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 23. Son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Dennett, of Brough, Yorkshire; husband of P. M. Dennett, of Mitcham, Surrey.

FINNEY, Donkeyman, ROBERT, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 42.

FLATMAN, Sailor, SAMUEL ALFRED, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 20. Son of Samuel Alfred and Lelia Flatman, of Killingholme, Lincolnshire.

GORDON, Able Seaman, THOMAS, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 45. Son of William and Bridget Gordon, of Wakefield, Yorkshire.

JACKSON, Fireman and Trimmer, THOMAS, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 56. Husband of M. Jackson, of Hull.

NEAL, Assistant Cook, JAMES THOMAS, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 42. Husband of Hannah Elizabeth Neal, of Hull.

NIVEN, Fourth Engineer Officer, JOHN ELDER, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 21. Son of William and Margaret Elder Niven; husband of Jemima Watt Niven, of Downfield, Dundee.

ROBERTSON, Second Officer, JAMES, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 32. Son of James and Mina Robertson, of Leith, Edinburgh.

SKELTON, Able Seaman, WALTER, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 49. Husband of Doris May Skelton, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

SLEIGHT, Assistant Steward, EDWIN, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 21.

SWAN, First Radio Officer, GEORGE DUNCAN, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 26. Son of Charles Watson Swan, and Helen Hendrie Swan, of Edinburgh.

TURGOOSE, Assistant Steward, KENNETH ALEXANDER, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. G. Turgoose, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

WIGREN, Donkeyman, HJALMAR ALEXANDER, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 59.

WILSON, Chief Officer, DANIEL, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 49. Husband of Alice C. Wilson, of Leith, Edinburgh.

Buried Bell Island Church of England Cemetery.

HARRISON, Fireman and Trimmer, GEORGE, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 45.

SWAIN, Ordinary Seaman, HERBERT, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 17. Son of Herbert and Alice Elizabeth Swain, of Grimsby, Lincolnshire, England.

TERRY, Fireman and Trimmer, WILLIAM FREDERICK. S.S. Saganaga Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 41.

WOOD, Able Seaman, THOMAS CHRISTIE, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 62.

Buried St. John's (Mount Pleasant) Cemetery

STEELE, Chief Steward, FREDERICK STOCK, S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942. Age 34. Son of Neil and Janet Steele; husband of Rachel Steele, of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Halifax Memorial

GERMAIN, Donkeyman, A. S.S. Saganaga (Leith). Canadian Merchant Navy. 5th September 1942.

DEMS gunners

HOWORTH, Able Seaman, ALFRED, P/JX 334679. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. (lost in S.S. Saganaga). 5th September 1942. Age 33. Son of Thomas and Matilda Howorth, of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.

McCORMACK, Able Seaman, GEORGE, C/JX 333500, S.S. Saganaga, Royal Navy. 5 September 1942. Age 25. Son of Robert and Susan McCormack; husband of Mary McCormack, of Stevenston, Ayrshire

MISSELBROOK, Able Seaman, FREDERICK HENRY, P/JX 291481. H.M.S. President III. Royal Navy. (lost in S.S. Saganaga). 5th September 1942. Age 21. Son of Frederick and Mabel Jane Misselbrook, of Swaythling, Hampshire.

P.L.M. 27. Tower Hill Memorial Panel 78

COUESNON, Sailor, ETIENNE, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 37.

LE MESLE, Sailor, HENRI PIERRE JOSEPH, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 48.

LE NEVE, Boatswain, MATHURIN, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 48. Croix De Guerre, Medaille Militaire. Son of Alban and Jeanne Le Neve; husband of Josephine Le Neve, of Saint Gildas de Rhuys, Morbihan, France

LEONETTI, Chief Steward, LAURENT, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 36.

NICOLLE, Sailor, GEORGES, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 39.

Buried Bell Island Roman Catholic Cemetery

BESBLEDS, Third Officer, YVES MICHAEL OCTAVE, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 30. BOURGETEL, Oiler, PAUL JEAN, P.L.M. 27. Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 33. Son of Mr. and Mrs Gabriel Bourgetel, of Montreal, Province of Quebec

NOUAYOU, Trimmer, QUATTARA, P.L.M. 27. Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 32.

PHARAON, Fireman and Trimmer, FARAH, P.L.M. 27. Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 39.

REDONI, Greaser, MOHAMED, P.L.M. 27. Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 41

PHOUNG PBUAN VAN, Baker, S.S. P.L.M. 27 (Glasgow). Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 56.

Halifax Memorial

DE FURSAC, Second Engineer, RAYMOND ROGUES. P.L.M. 27. Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942.

Rose Castle. Halifax Memorial

ALI, Donkeyman, SAID, S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 46. Husband of Ruth Ali, of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.

BENNETT, Able Seaman, REGINALD S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bennett, of Saint John, New Brunswick.

BURT, Second Steward, FRED REGINALD S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 26. Son of Elizabeth Burt, of North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

DWYER, Trimmer, WILLIAM J. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 22. Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Dwyer, of Sydney Forks, Nova Scotia.

FILLIER, Fireman, WILLIAM JAMES. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 22. Son of William John and Martha Fillier, of Bell Island, Newfoundland.

GABRIEL, Trimmer, ALBERT EDWARD. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 20. Son of Elisa Jane Gabriel, of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

GREEN, Third Mate, JOHN ROBERT. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 30. Husband of Cecilia Green, of Sydney, Nova Scotia.

HARDY, Fireman, CHARLES. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 20. Son of Clara Hardy, of Rose Blanche, Newfoundland.

HENDERSON, Chief Engineer, WILLIAM. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 62. Husband of Hetty Elizabeth Henderson, of Wallasey, Cheshire, England.

KING, Able Seaman, HENRY, S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 25. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert King, of St. John's, Newfoundland.

MacDONALD, Master, WALTER J. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 44. Husband of Mary Marcella MacDonald, of Toronto, Ontario.

MacLEOD, Oiler, ANGUS. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 21. Son of Rory and Louise MacLeod, of New Boston, Nova Scotia.

MacPHERSON, Fourth Engineer, IVAN DANIEL. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 30. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Ivan MacPherson, of Caledonia, Prince Edward Island.

MANN, Ordinary Seaman, ROBERT ARNOLD. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 17. Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Mann, of Birmingham, England.

McMULLIN, Oiler, PATRICK. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 22. Son of Mr. and Mrs. John McMullin, of Louisburg, Nova Scotia.

McPHERSON, Ordinary Seaman, MICHAEL J. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 18. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick McPherson, of New Waterford, Nova Scotia.

MILES, Bosun, JAMES. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 42. Husband of Julia Miles, of North Sydney, Nova Scotia.

PEHRSON, Cook, VIGGO SVEND LYKKE DAHL. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 34. Son of Mr. and Mrs. Niels Peter Dahl Pehrson, of Copenhagen, Denmark.

ROSS, Deck Hand, R. A. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 20.

STROMSMOE, Fireman, GERALD MONRAD. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 21. Son of Pearl Stromsmoe, of Brant, Alberta.

SUGA, Second Engineer, JEAN. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 27.

VATCHER, Chief Officer, ARTHUR J. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 40. Son of John and Ruth Vatcher, of Burgeo, Newfoundland; husband of Jane Vatcher, of Harrietsfield, Halifax County, Nova Scotia.

WASSON, Able Seaman, LEONARD BIRTON. S.S. Rose Castle (Wilmington, U.S.A.) Canadian Merchant Navy. 2nd November 1942. Age 30. Husband of Mary Wasson, of Saint John, New Brunswick.