How did the lancastria sink?

“No amount of spin can turn the story of the Lancastria into something triumphant.” About 4,000 men, women and children lost their lives when the Lancastria sank 20 minutes after it was bombed by the Germans near the French port of Saint-Nazaire on 17 June 1940. Fewer than 2,500 people survived.

What date did the lancastria sink?

On 17 June, off the French coast at Saint-Nazaire, she came under concentrated attack from German aircraft, while awaiting a Navy escort, before being hit by a stick of bombs. She sank within 20 minutes.

What was the worst maritime disaster in British history?

RMS Lancastria
Flashback in maritime history – RMS Lancastria: Worst Loss of Life on a British Ship, June 17th, 1940 (Video) (www.MaritimeCyprus.com) This British ocean liner was commandeered by the government during World War II. It was sunk on June 17th, 1940, resulting in the loss of over 4,000 lives, possibly many more.

Where was the lancastria built?

Clydebank
The HMT Lancastria was built in the Lieutenancy of Dunbartonshire in the town of Clydebank. During World War ll on the afternoon of Monday 17 June 1940 it was sunk by enemy bombing whilst evacuating troops of the British Expeditionary Force from St. Nazaire in France.

How many died on lancastria?

1,738 people
Lancastria Association names 1,738 people known to have been killed. In 2005, Fenby wrote that estimates of the death toll vary from fewer than 3,000 to 5,800 people although it is also estimated that as many as 6,500 people perished, the largest loss of life in British maritime history.

What happened to the Laconia?

A German U-boat sinks a British troop ship, the Laconia, killing more than 1,400 men on September 12, 1942. The sub attacked, sinking the troop ship and imperiling the lives of more than 2,200 passengers. …

What is the greatest maritime disaster of all time?

The worst such accident—indeed, the deadliest civilian maritime disaster in history—occurred on December 20, 1987, when the passenger ferry MV Doña Paz collided with the oil tanker MT Vector in the Tablas Strait, roughly 110 miles (180 km) south of Manila.

What happened to RMS Lancastria?

RMS Lancastria was a British ocean liner requisitioned by the UK Government during the Second World War. She was sunk on 17 June 1940 during Operation Aerial. Modern estimates suggest that between 3,000 and 5,800 people died during the sinking — the largest single-ship loss of life in British maritime history.

What happened to the Aquitania?

Aquitania was retired from service in 1949 and was sold for scrapping the following year. Having served as a passenger ship for 36 years, Aquitania ended her career as the longest serving Cunard vessel, a record which stood for six years until overtaken by RMS Scythia’s service record of 37 years.

Did U-boats sink troop ships?

A German U-boat sinks a British troop ship, the Laconia, killing more than 1,400 men on September 12, 1942. The sub attacked, sinking the troop ship and imperiling the lives of more than 2,200 passengers.

Did U-boats Sink hospital ships?

Llandovery Castle was hit with a torpedo from German U-boat U-86 on 27 June 1918. The U-boat then opened fire on the survivors….Hospital Ships sunk.