Leiv Eriksson

Requisitioned Auxiliary - Leiv Eriksson

Built by: Bremer Vulkan, Vegesack          Completed: 1936

Owner: A/S Laboremus

Tonnage: 9952 grt, 5000 nett, 14,725 dwt

Length: 492.9 feet

Beam: 66.1 feet

Draught: 36.4 feet

Machinery: 2 x 6 cylinder MAN diesels

In Admiralty Service (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) from 1940

On the 27 June 1942, whilst on passage from Port of Spain to Gibraltar with a cargo of 14,366 tons of fuel oil, the ship was torpedoed by U 126, in position 13º 18’ N  59º 57’ W, just after completing engine repairs at 04:55 hrs.

The first torpedo struck the ship in the forward cargo hold, causing a large hole in the Starboard bow, the ship started to sink by the bows until the forecastle was awash, at which time the crew abandoned ship.

The second torpedo struck the ship forward of the bridge at about 05:40 hrs and she started sinking rapidly.

Of the 30 Norwegian, 2 Swedish, 3 Estonian, 7 British, 1 Irish and I American seamen aboard the Leiv Eriksson, 4 of the crew perished.