Official No:                           164463

Builder:                         Cantieri Riuniti Dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone

Launched:                     7 March 1935

Into Service:                 1939

Out of service:              28 June 1941

Fate:                             28 June 1941 torpedoed and sunk

Items of historic interest involving this ship: –

Background Data:  One of an additional group of ships requisitioned by the Admiralty during WW2 to augment the ships of the RFA

Career Data:

7 March 1935 launched by Cantieri Riuniti Dell’Adriatico, Monfalcone as Yard Nr 1129 named  AURIS for Anglo Saxon Petroleum Co Ltd, London

May 1935 completed

1939 requisitioned  for Admiralty service

28 June 1941 torpedoed and sunk by Italian submarine LEONARDO DA VINCI in the Atlantic E   of Madeira in position 34.27 N 11.57 W while sailing independently on passage from Trinidad to Gibraltar carrying a cargo of 11493t of fuel oil with the loss of thirty one  lives. Thirty two survivors were rescued by the destroyer HMS FARNDALE and were landed at Gibraltar. Of the thirty one who were lost nine are remembered with pride on the Tower Hill memorial the remainer are remembered on the Hong Kong Memorial

Image courtesey of Brian Watson

2 December 1941 First Radio Officer Michael Hennerty awarded a Postumous Commendation for services when the ship was torepdoed and sunk – Published in the London Gazette of this day. Ungazzetted – First Radio Officer Michel Hennerty also awarded a Postumous Lloyds Bravery Medal