Sinking the Rupera

[annelang25]

Can anyone share information on the sinking of the Ruperra when it was torpedoed. Robert Arthur Lang in Merchant Navy had to swim to shore.

[sotonmate]

annelang

Are you off-topic here ? The Ruparra I am aware of was sunk in WW2 on 19 Oct 1940 carrying steel/scrap iron and aircraft from USA to Glasgow,as part of Convoy HX79. 13 ships were sunk from that Convoy on that day.30 crew died from the Ruparra.

Or do you have a WW1 ship of the same name ? In which case,apologies for suggesting that you are off topic !

Sotonmate

[annelang25]

Thanks for reply but it was Ruperra in WW1, we know that from grandfathers records.

[Michael Lowrey]

For the basics, see http://www.uboat.net/wwi/ships_hit/5252.html

Best wishes,

Michael

[grantowi]

Bit of googling finds:

Ruperra, 4,232grt, defensively armed, 20 June 1917, 50 miles E by S from Pantellaria, torpedoed without warning and sunk by submarine

Edit - fi you go to google earth, you can plot the position that Michael's post gives (36.44N 13.06E) using the figues at the bottom of the map.

Robert Lang must have been a jolly good swimmer, I make the nearest land to be 71 kilometers away

Grant

[per ardua per mare per terram]

Robert Arthur Lang

Was he an officer or rating? Do you have his service history and did he claim the Mercantile Marine Medal?

[annelang25]

Was he an officer or rating? Do you have his service history and did he claim the Mercantile Marine Medal?

Hi

I'm back. No he was not an officer, and beleive he did have mercantile medal. Not much other information unfortunately.

Many thanks

Anne