The following is an extract from my book SHIPPING COMPANY LOSSES OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR published by the History Press.
NOURSE LINE
BHIMA. Torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-65 (Kaigun Shōsa (LtCdr.) Harada Hakue) on 20 February,1942, in position 07º47´N 73º31´E. All 70, including two passengers, picked up from lifeboats three days later.
GANGES (Captain J.T. Vivian). On 6 April, 1942, bombed by planes from the heavy cruiser Chokai, part of the Japanese Central Group operating in the Indian Ocean, and sank in position 17º48´N 84º09´E. 1st Radio Officer M.J. Murphy, 2nd Radio Officer W. Reilly, Mr R.G. Keir, the 4th Engineer, and 12 lascars, died. Survivors reached land after 24 hours in the boats. For other ships sunk by the Japanese at this time, see under Dardanus, ALFRED HOLT & CO.
INDUS. (Captain C.E. Bryan). Bound for Fremantle, from Safaga and Colombo, when intercepted and shelled by the German raider Thor (Kapitän zur See Günther Gumprich) on 20 July, 1942. Returned the fire as she tried to escape, and transmitted a QQQQ message. Abandoned after her stern gun and radio room were put out of action, and her bridge was on fire, and sank in position 26º44´S 82º50´E.. Twenty-three died. Forty-nine, taken prisoner on board the Thor, were transferred to the Tannenfels on August 29, and landed at Bordeaux on 2 November.
JHELUM (Captain L.W. Newman). Bound for Oban, from Izmir, Turkey, and Cape Town, sailed in Convoy SL. 68 which left Freetown on 13 March, 1941. Torpedoed and sunk by U.105 (Kptlt. Georg Schewe) at 10pm on the 21st, in approximate position 21ºN 25ºW. Eight died. Forty-nine landed at St. Louis, Senegal, and interned by the Vichy French authorities. For details of other ships sunk in Convoy SL.68, see under Benwyvis, BEN LINE.
JUMNA. Bound for Calcutta, via Freetown, sailed in Convoy OB.260 which left Liverpool on 16 December, 1940 and dispersed on the evening of the 19th. Sunk by the German cruiser Admiral Hipper (Konteradmiral Wilhelm Meisel) during the forenoon on Christmas Day, in position 44º51´N 27º45´W. All 64 crew and 43 lascar passengers, who had survived the sinking of the Planter in Convoy SL.53, died. See under HARRISON LINE.
SAUGOR (Captain J.A.A. Steel). Bound for Freetown and Calcutta, from London. In Convoy OS.4 which left Liverpool on 23 August, 1941. Torpedoed and sunk by U.557 (Oblt. Ottokar Arnold Paulssen) at about 1.30am on 27th, in position 53º36´N 16º40´W. Fifty-nine died. Twenty-three picked up by the rescue ship Perth (Captain K. Williamson) and landed at Greenock the following day.
Other ships sunk in Convoy OS.4
Segundo (Nor.) (Captain Karsten B. Wilhelmsen). By U.557. Seven died, including Gudrun Torgersen, the wife of the 1st Mate). Twenty-seven picked up by the sloop HMS Lulworth (LtCdr. C. Gwinner).
Tremoda (Captain J.S. Bastian). By U.557. Thirty-two died. Twenty-one picked up by the Free French minesweeper FFL Chevreuil and landed at Kingston, Jamaica.
Embassage (Captain E. Kiddie). By U.557. Thirty-nine died. Three picked up by the destroyer HMCS Assiniboine (Cpt. G.C. Jones) and landed at Greenock.
Otaio. See under NEW ZEALAND SHIPPING CO. LTD.
SUTLEJ. Bound for Aden and Fremantle, from Kosseir, Egypt, when torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I.37 (LtCdr. Hagime Nakagawa) 26 February, 1944, in position 08º00´S 70º00´E. The submarine fired on the survivors in boats, on wreckage and in the water. Five were rescued after 42 days in a lifeboat and 18 after being on two rafts for 49 days. Fifty died. See under British Chivalry, BRITISH TANKER CO. LTD., and Centaur, ALFRED HOLT & CO.
