The freighter, MS Chant, was bombed and sunk by German dive bombers about 0700 local time on June 15, 1942 off the coast of Tunisia while en route from Glasgow, Scotland to Malta, loaded with aviation gas in 5 gallon cans, ammunition, and a deck cargo of coal and two RAF air rescue boats. It is not known how many were in the merchant crew or Navy Armed Guard, but three of the crew lost their lives in the attack. One of them, the Purser, went down with the ship when he tried to save important documents of military value.
Ship Designation:
Merchantman
Date Lost:
Monday, June 15, 1942
A Careless Word ... A Needless Sinking, by Arthur R. Moore, 1988