johnwoods Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 I'm trying to track down details of the demise of the King Line's SS King David as my wife's grandfather was on it when it was sunk on 10th July 1917. Anecdotally he was in a life boat for 10 days before being picked up and shared the boat with sailors from another ship. I've found out that it was sunk by U49 and it seems they didn't pick up prisoners. Unfortunately I can't find any more or where the archives of the King Line might be, if indeed they still exist, as they may hold some answers. I'd love to know how quickly it was sunk, any details of the incident, a crew list, details of who was saved and how. Can anyone help with this or give me any ideas of where I can search? Many thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 (edited) John, There is a previous thread on the forum entitled 'SS "King David" Sunk 10th July 1917' which should be of help. Regards, Alf McM Edited 25 May , 2020 by alf mcm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwoods Posted 25 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 May , 2020 Thanks Alf I had seen that thread and it did offer some useful elements but doesn't go quite far enough. I had posted on it in the hope something else would come up but not seen anything yet so thought I'd start a new thread aimed at what I was specifically looking for. Incidentally, I'd also love to find a photo of U49 or one of the others in that class (only seem to be 8 of them) and of Richard Hartmann the commander. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falloden Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 I have recently been provided with several photos of U-48 which belonged to the same U-43 class as your U-49: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alf mcm Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 John, This site may be of interest;- https://uboat.net/ Regards, Alf McM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falloden Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 ... and if you have not already found this site: https://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?140801 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 25 May , 2020 Share Posted 25 May , 2020 From memory SS King david was hit bt torpedo from U49. I think the skipper of King David was taken prisoner. The other crew you mention was probably from SS Obuassi. whose captain was also taken prisoner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwoods Posted 26 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 26 May , 2020 Thanks so much for the photos Falloden, they are great. I've searched the net for each of the boats in that class but not found a photo ! Re the Wrecksite yes I have used that and there is a little info on there but not enough to fill in the required details. Alf, thanks for pointing out uboat.net. I have used that and it is a great site, to the extent that I know more about the German U boat that sank her than I about the British steamer I'm interested in, but then the U-boats are probably a more "romantic" subject than a steam cargo ship. It was only after I started researching this that I discovered just how effective the U-boats were in WW1. I new about WW2 submarines but hadn't realised just how significant they were over 100 years ago and the phenomenal amount of allied shipping that was lost. Johnboy, thanks for the info. Do you know if it is possible to check whether the King David's skipper was taken prisoner, and if so how? The earlier thread pointed me to the Obuasi and I also surmised that the fellow lifeboat occupants may have come from there. Thanks for the help. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 26 May , 2020 Share Posted 26 May , 2020 John I will Check if he was taken prisoner. Myself and another member spent about 6 mnths researching sinking of SS Obuasi. and solved a myster of two gunners who were taken prisoner.I have picture of the U boat captain somewhere. I will try and find it and post it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwoods Posted 26 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 26 May , 2020 Thanks Johnboy, that would be brilliant, and a photo of Richard Hartmann...amazing. Given the size of a U-boat I'm surprised they took any prisoners, especially if they were not on their way back to port. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 26 May , 2020 Share Posted 26 May , 2020 I think SSdavid was not torpedoed but sunk by the deck guns on the Uboat. I think that prisoners would be taken first, then the ship was sunk. I have a couple of papers of the SSKing Davids captain, John Evans. One for a replacement Masters Certificate and an account[de brief of the sinking] Again I will have to dig them out. The Uboat Captain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwoods Posted 26 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 26 May , 2020 Thanks Johnboy, great to see what Richard Hartmann looked like. I think you're right about it being sunk by deck guns. On uboat.net under the details for Robert Ramm I found this bit - On 10 July U-49 torpedoed the British merchant ship King David (3680 tons). As with the Osabi, the ship did not sink. The submarine surfaced and, after the crew had taken to the lifeboats, the ship was sunk with U-49’s deck gun. Thanks John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie2 Posted 26 May , 2020 Share Posted 26 May , 2020 Vol 4 of the German OH, Der Handelskrieg mit U-Booten, records “English steamer King David 3680T sunk by gunfire after a miss with Torpedo. Cargo munitions and 55 aircraft. From Brest to Archangel.“ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnwoods Posted 26 May , 2020 Author Share Posted 26 May , 2020 Thanks Charlie2, very useful. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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