Umtata
Cargo Steamer · United Kingdom · Lost 1942 · Florida's Atlantic Coast
A British cargo steamer sunk by U-571 off the Florida coast in July 1942; everyone aboard survived.
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The Vessel and Her Loss
Umtata was a British cargo steamer completed in 1935 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne. On July 7, 1942, bound from Port Castries, St. Lucia to Port Everglades with 2000 tons of mineral ore, she was attacked by the German submarine U-571 off the Florida coast and sank. All 92 aboard survived.
Vessel
- 1935
- Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson Ltd, Walker-on-Tyne
- Not established
- Steel
- Not established
- Not established
- 8,141 gross tons
- Steam
- Bullard King & Co Ltd (Natal Line), London
Loss
- July 7, 1942
- Enemy action
- Off the Florida coast
- Atlantic Ocean
- Port Castries, St. Lucia → Port Everglades
- 2000 tons of mineral ore
- 92
- 0
- R. Owen Jones
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 25.58° N 80.03° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Florida
Approximate attack position reported in the U-boat's war diary; wreck not surveyed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (78/100)
The position is the attack position reported by the U-boat, not a surveyed wreck site; depth and condition are not established.
uboat.net Allied ships hit by U-boats
Particulars, route, cargo, attack narrative, complement and reported attack position.
