| Name: | BRITISH PREMIER |
| Type: | Tanker |
| Launched: | 25/08/1922 |
| Completed: | 12/1922 |
| Builder: | Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd |
| Yard: | Jarrow |
| Yard Number: | 925 |
| Dimensions: | 9132dwt, 5872grt, 3377nrt, 400.6 x 54.2 x 32.7ft |
| Engines: | 2 x Steam turbines, DR geared, 523nhp |
| Engines by: | Palmers' Shipbuilding & Iron Co Ltd, Jarrow |
| Propulsion: | 1 x Screw, 10.0knots |
| Construction: | Steel |
| Reg Number: | 146684 |
| History: | |
| 11/12/1922 | British Tanker Co Ltd, London |
| 24/12/1940 | Sank |
| Comments: | 24/12/1940: Torpedoed & sunk by U-Boat U65, 200 miles SW from Freetown |
| BRITISH PREMIER left Freetown in convoy SLS.60 (Abadan to Swansea via Freetown) on 22/12/1940 and soon became a straggler. At 16.41 hours on 24/12/1940 she was in position 06.20N, 13.20W (200 miles SW of Freetown!) when she was torpedoed and sunk by U65. Nine crew members were rescued by HMS HAWKINS on 03/01/1941 and four crew members were saved by HMS FAULKNER on 03/02/1941, having been 41 days in an open boat and 25 days without food. |
Above photo is courtesy of Kevin Blair. CLICK to enlarge/BACK to return
Above photo is courtesy of Kevin Blair