Sinking of SS [or HMS?] Elba by U Boat on 28/04/1918

[Lost in Tilloy]

Hi

Wondered if anyone could help with any information on the sinking of a ship called the 'Elba' by a U Boat off Milford Haven on 28th April 1918.

All I know about the ship is that she belonged to the Leith, Hull & Hamuburg Steam Packet Company and that she was built in 1899.

One of her crew, a Steward called George McPherson, is mentioned on a war memorial that I'm currently researching.

Any help with regards to the details of the sinking would be appreciated.

Regards

LIT

[historydavid]

LIT,

SS Elba, 1,081 grt, defensively armed, built 1899, sunk on 28th April 1918 by torpedo from German U-boat UB 103, 6 miles NWxN from Pendeen Lighthouse. Owned by Currie, James & Co of Leith, and managed by Leith, Hull & Hamburg Steam Packet Co. 10 lives lost on journey Cardiff to ?

Best wishes

David

[Lost in Tilloy]

Hi David

Many thanks for the info and the very swift reply.

Cheers

LIT

[kin47]

Hello

Two DAMS gunners were lost in ELBA.

MURRAY NORMAN SEAMAN, RNR A 8702 S.S. ELBA

WATCHMAN JAMES L/SEAMAN, RNR D 1208 S.S. ELBA

All best

don

[Borden Battery]

Here are two websites which you can access for further information on this ship (and others) and also on the U-Boats from this era.

Regards - Borden Battery

The Ships List

This very comprehensive website contains a great deal of information on ship fleets and individual ships. It is often possible to obtain information on Great War ships used for troop transport including details on building, ownership, fate or sale to new owner, subsequent owners and gross tonnage. Last Updated: March 25, 2006 and maintained by S. Swiggum and M. Kohli [Mar 2006]

http://www.theshipslist.com/index.html

U-Boat

This primary website contains detailed information on the German U-Boat from both the Great War and the Second World War. The site also contains a discussion forum [44,000 posts] and a good source of referenced material and articles. While the site is primarily Second World War, there is a growing commitment to the Great War. Statistics indicate apparently in WWI a total of 375 U boats sank 6596 merchant ships, a total of 12,800,000 tons. The site is operated from Iceland by Gudmundur Helgason with a detailed database being developed by Michael Lowrey. [updated July 2006]

www.uboat.net

[Lost in Tilloy]

Hi Don

Thanks for the info.

David's info stated that 10 lives were lost, therefore with your new info I at least know 3 of the men who were lost. Forgive my ignorance, but what does DAMS stand for?

Regards

LIT

Hi Border Battery

Thanks for the websites info. I'll work my way through them this evening.

Cheers

LIT

[kin47]

Hello LIT

DAMS is Defensively Armed Merchant Ships. In WW II, they were called DEMS Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. Anyway, a DAMS or DEMS gunner was a naval rating assigned PRESIDENT III and sailing on the respective ship.

All best

don

[Lost in Tilloy]

Hi Don

Thanks for that. Still so much to learn!

Cheers

LIT

[Wrecktec]

Men lost with the ELBA

CAROLUS, Christopher Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

FALK, Jons Boatswain (Bosun) & Lamps MM uw SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

KAPTALOS, Phillipinos Sailor MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

MANSFIELD, Daniel Deck boy MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

McPHERSON, George, Steward MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

ROSS, Alexander Duffin Mess Steward MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

TOIJLSON, Frederick Donkeyman MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

WARDS, William 2nd Engineer MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

MURRAY, Norman, Seaman, RNR (DAMS Gunner), A 8702, Elba, steamship, 28 April 1918, submarine action, ship lost

WATCHMAN, James, Leading Seaman (DAMS Gunner), RNR, D 1208, Elba, steamship, 28 April 1918, submarine action, ship lost

Cheers Ron

[Guest bayble]

Hello

Two DAMS gunners were lost in ELBA.

MURRAY NORMAN SEAMAN, RNR A 8702 S.S. ELBA

WATCHMAN JAMES L/SEAMAN, RNR D 1208 S.S. ELBA

All best

don

Hello Don Just came across this site -- Seaman Norman Murray RNR No. A8702 was my uncle

Thanks

A J M

[Guest bayble]

Men lost with the ELBA

CAROLUS, Christopher Fireman & Trimmer MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

FALK, Jons Boatswain (Bosun) & Lamps MM uw SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

KAPTALOS, Phillipinos Sailor MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

MANSFIELD, Daniel Deck boy MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

McPHERSON, George, Steward MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

ROSS, Alexander Duffin Mess Steward MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

TOIJLSON, Frederick Donkeyman MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

WARDS, William 2nd Engineer MM SS Elba (Leith) drowned 28.4.18

MURRAY, Norman, Seaman, RNR (DAMS Gunner), A 8702, Elba, steamship, 28 April 1918, submarine action, ship lost

WATCHMAN, James, Leading Seaman (DAMS Gunner), RNR, D 1208, Elba, steamship, 28 April 1918, submarine action, ship lost

Cheers Ron

Hi Ron

Seaman Norman Murray RNR No. A8702 aged 24 when lost was my uncle

Thanks

AJM

[Guest]

Family member was on the Elba, i enclose a picture, could this be her in the picture

[Kath]

9 hours ago, shonnie said:

Family member

Any name, please?

[Guest]

My Great Grandfather was lost on this ship, Jons Falk.