Eightyone  years ago, on the 22 October 1941, RFA Darkdale was torpedoed by the German submarine U.68 while at anchor off Jamestown Harbour, Island of St. Helena, South Atlantic Ocean.

The ship exploded, turned over and sank within five minutes taking all forty one members of her crew who were onboard down with her. This was the single greatest loss of life on any RFA ship which has been sunk during the 117 years of the Service’s existence.

Lest We Forget

Eightyone years ago, on the 22 October 1941, R.F.A. Darkdale was torpedoed by the German submarine U.68 while at anchor off Jamestown Harbour, Island of St. Helena, South Atlantic Ocean.

The ship exploded, turned over and sank within five minutes taking all forty one members of her crew who were onboard down with her. This was the single greatest loss of life on any RFA ship which has been sunk during the 117 years of the Service’s existence.

Those who were lost are remembered with pride on the Cenotaph at Jamestown and on the Tower Hill Merchant Navy Memorial, London

RFA Darkdale was the first British ship sunk south of the Equator during World War 2.