Andalucia Star

The Andalucia Star Source: Uboat.net

The Andalucia was built by Cammell Laird & Company Ltd for the Blue Star line Ltd. She was finished in 1927. Two years later they renamed her the Andalucia Star.

Specifications

Dimensions:
As Built:  512.2 x 68.3 x 34.0 feet 
As refitted:  578.9 x 68.3 x 42.7 feet

Tonnage:
As Built:  Gross: 12846 Net: 7830 
As refitted:  Gross: 14943   Net: 9529

Propulsion:
Four steam turbines by shipbuilder, single reduction geared to two shafts

Type:
Refrigerated Cargo Liner  Passengers:  180 1st Class

Launched:
21/09/1926 ( Yard No.920) as Andalucia for Blue Star Line (1920) Ltd.

Completed:
03/1927

Renamed:
27/05/1929 Andalucia Star

Refitted:
Lengthened 1935 by Cammell Laird & Company Ltd. together with the fitting of a Maierform bow

World War 2

During World War 2 she was armed with one 6in, one 3in, one 40mm, two 20mm and four machine guns. This meant an added 13 gunners to the crew. The Andalucia Star often made the trip from Liverpool or London (her homeport) to Freetown to collect eggs and meat to help the ailing island of Britain. However this was a perilous journey because of German U-boats and planes based in France. She was bombed whilst in harbour at Liverpool on the 12/12/1940.

Sinking

At 00.41 hours on 7 Oct 1942 the unescorted Andalucia Star captained by James Bennett Hall was hit on the port side by three torpedoes from U-107 (Commanded by Harald Gelhaus). She was first hit almost simultaneously in the 5th and 6th holds. The Captain then quickly ordered to abandon ship. All the boats were manned by their crews and passengers and they all got away with the exception of lifeboat #2. Lifeboat #2 rope slipped and dropped its contents into the sea. All but two of the people inside were rescued.

About 20 minutes after the first attack the Andalucia Star was torpedoed a third time. The torpedo struck on the port side, again close to #5 and #6 holds. The detonation was so violent that it blew out the starboard side of the ship too. Two boats that were alongside the starboard side miraculously survived.

Torpedo hit locations Source: bluestarline.org

All but four people survived the sinking( three crew and one passenger). The survivors then regrouped and set course for Freetown. They were all picked up later that afternoon by the HMS Petunia.

The Location of the Sinking of the Andalucia Star