dennis cogley
22-10-2008, 14:27
hi everyone,my name is dennis cogley,i introduced myself about 17/10/08.my grandad,s ship ss western coast was torpedoed on 17th nov. 1917 by a german submarine ten miles wsw of the eddystone light.seventeen men were killed,my grandad suvived.i have now traced the u-boat and its commander.it was ub40 coastal torpedo attack boat.it was built in hamburg and launched on 25 april 1916.it had four commanders during its life time.the second commander hans howaldt was the one who torpedoed ss western coast.he was born on12 nov.1888 died6 sept. 1970.ub40,s career was 28 patrols,successes 100 ships sunk 132,179 tons,14 damaged 59,378 tons,one ship taken as prize 470 tons.hans howaldt was awarded pour le merite 6sept. 1917,iron cross 2nd class,iron cross 1st.class.ub 40 was finally scuttled on 2oct. 1918 at the evacuation of flanders.if anyone can shed anymore light on this subject i would be very grateful.yours dennis cogley