On this day (16th August) WW1 Shipwreckollections

SS Mirlo (1917-1918)

SS Mirlo was a British steam tanker of 6,978 tonnes. The vessel was built in 1917 by Sir James Laing & Sons, Ltd., Sunderland and at the time of her loss was owned by H. E. Moss & Co., London.

On 16 August 1918, Mirlo was travelling on a voyage from New Orleans to London with a cargo of refined products, when she was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat under the command of Otto Dröscher. At the time of the attack, SS Mirlo was positioned 1/2 mile SxE from Wimble Shoal Buoy, Cape Hatteras.

Sadly, nine lives were lost as a result.

The Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society has offered assistance for fishermen and mariners in need since 1839. The maritime charity provides help for mariners, retired seafarers and their dependants, through financial help including welfare grants, as well as assistance and support.

Photo credit: wrecksite.eu