Evacuees and the causes for German naval attacks on civilian ships during World War II
Timeline for the voyage of SS City of Benares
13 September, 18:00
SS City of Benares departs from the port of Liverpool (UK) bound for the Canadian cities of Québec and Montréal as part of convoy OB-213. SS City of Benares is the flagship of the convoy commanded by Rear Admiral E.J.G. Mackinnon.
17 September, 1:00 am
Royal navy escort ship, according to navy procedures, turns back to UK and leave the convoy alone for the remaning of the voyage.
17 September, afternoon
In late afternoon, German submarine U-48 spots convoy OB-213 with SS City of Benares as the first ship in the middle column. No action taken.
17 September, 10:00 pm
German submarine U-48 approaches the convoy and identifies SS City of Benares as its main target.
17 September, 10:00 pm
German submarine U-48 fires torpedos which hit the stern of SS City of Benares. Two children are instantly killed in the explosion and many more injured. Emergency signal is sent to the Royal Navy and surrounding ships.
17 September, 10:05 pm
Passengers and crew members of SS City of Benares lower the lifeboats and abandon the ship in adverse sea conditions.In accordance with navy procedure, the other convoy ships carry on their way independently.
17 September, 10:30 pm
SS City of Benares sinks to the bottom of the Atlantic ocean. German submarine U-48 leaves the area and heads back. Survivors are waiting for rescue in one of the twelve lifeboats.
18 September, afternoon
HMS Hurricane arrives on the scene and recue the survivors of SS City of Benares. In the confusion, lifeboat #12 is believed to be sunk.
27 September
HMS Anthony rescues survivors of lifeboat #12 which had drifted far further than the others. On board were 46 people: 37 crewmen, 6 children with two escorts, and one private passenger.