Reynolds (II) 1927
Reynolds 1927
5,024 gross tons
124.1 LPP x 16.3m
1xTriple expansion engine
10 kts
Yard No 375
At 17.18 hours on 31 Oct, 1942, the unescorted Reynolds (Master Roderick David McLeod) was hit by two torpedoes from U-504 about 210 miles east of Durban
She was hit amidships and in the stern, capsized and sank within seconds.
The Germans questioned the few survivors and they told them that the ship was the Reynolds en route from Durban to India with general cargo
However, out of a crew of 47, no survivors were ever found and it was at first assumed that the ship had been sunk by a raider at around 29°S/41°E
1st Hand
Strangely, he (sic U boat captain) records talking to survivors as to their ships name and cargo carried.
When I queried " no survivors?" I was answered with " That's what used to happen" he sailed on and left them to drown.
Vic Wroth Aug 2009