SS Bengrove

History
United Kingdom
Name:	SS Bengrove
Owner:	Joseph Hoult & Co., Liverpool
Builder:	Craig, Taylor & Co. Ltd., Stockton-on-Tees
Launched:	1910
Fate:	Torpedoed and sunk, 7 March 1915
General characteristics [1]
Type:	Cargo ship
Tonnage:	3,840 GRT
Length:	105.2 m (345 ft 2 in)
Beam:	15.6 m (51 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:	1 × 3-cylinder 342 hp (255 kW) triple expansion steam engine, 1 screw

SS Bengrove was a steam-powered collier registered in Liverpool, England. Thousands of people on shore saw her explode and sink in the Bristol Channel on Sunday, 7 March 1915.^[2]

The ship left Barry at about 4:00 a.m. under sealed orders and carrying a cargo of 5,000 tons of coal. Later that day,^[3] in the Bristol Channel, about five miles off the coast of Ilfracombe, an explosion occurred under the vessel amidships. The ship's siren was activated and the crew entered the lifeboats. The siren was heard on shore and the Ilfracombe coast guard sent lifeboats to the area. There were 21 other steamers in the area at the time of the explosion and six of them offered assistance to the foundering vessel. All 33 crew were saved and taken to Ilfracombe pier. Early reports were unsure what had caused the explosion. There was speculation that the vessel had struck a mine or torpedo.^[2] The cause was later determined to have been a torpedo fired from German U-boat U-20.^[4][5]

References

1. "BENGROVE CARGO SHIP 1910-1915". wrecksite.eu. 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
2. "THOUSANDS ON SHORE SEE SHIP BLOWN UP; British Collier Bengrove Is Sunk Without Warning In Bristol Channel.". The New York Times. 1915-03-09. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
3. "BRITISH MERCHANT SHIPS LOST AT SEA DUE TO ENEMY ACTION, 1914-18, Part 1 of 3". Retrieved 2007-10-25.
4. "Ilfracombe Shipwrecks". Archived from the original on 2007-09-19. Retrieved 2007-10-25.
5. "BRITISH WORLD WAR I MERCHANT SHIP LOSSES - B". Retrieved 2007-10-25.

Coordinates: 51°21′04″N 4°06′58″W / 51.351°N 4.116°W