SS Scillin
Maritime Warfare Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Mediterranean Sea
TIME PERIOD
November 14, 1942
VICTIMS
787 confirmed
On November 14, 1942, the cargo steamship SS Scillin was sunk by the British submarine HMS Sahib in the Mediterranean Sea while transporting over 800 Allied prisoners of war from North Africa to Italy. The incident occurred during World War II, and the sinking resulted in the deaths of nearly all the POWs on board. The ship, originally built in 1903 and owned by various companies throughout its history, was under Italian ownership at the time of its sinking. The UK government maintained the secrecy of the sinking's details until 1996, revealing significant evidence of wartime operations and the tragic loss of life associated with the incident. Currently, the case remains a historical reference for maritime warfare and the treatment of prisoners during conflict.
The SS Scillin is believed to have been targeted due to its Italian ownership during World War II, leading to its sinking by HMS Sahib. Some speculate that the ship may have been carrying valuable cargo or military supplies, making it a strategic target. Additionally, there are theories regarding the ship's previous names and ownership changes, suggesting that its varied history may have impacted its fate during the war.
The Ill-Fated Voyage of SS Scillin
In the tapestry of World War II's maritime history, the SS Scillin stands as a somber reminder of the perils faced by those at sea. Originally launched as the H. M. Pellatt in 1903 from the shipyards of Russell and Company in Greenock, Scotland, this cargo steamship bore witness to the tumultuous waves of ownership and identity changes throughout its existence. With a robust three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine, capable of pushing her to speeds of 11 knots, the vessel served various masters and donned many names, reflecting its complex history and the political tides of the early 20th century.
A Ship of Many Faces
From her inception as the H. M. Pellatt under the ownership of William Petersen Ltd in Newcastle, to her rechristening as Memling by the Société Belge d'Armement Maritime in 1920, and later as Nicole Le Borgne by Compagnie Charles Le Borgne of Marseille, the ship's identity was as fluid as the oceans she traversed. By 1937, she had finally settled into the name Scillin, under the ownership of Fratelli Bianchi Societá Di Navigazione of Genoa, Italy.
The Final Voyage
November 1942 marked the beginning of the end for the SS Scillin. In the bustling port of Tripoli, Libya, 814 Allied prisoners of war were crammed into the ship's hold, a space designed for a mere fraction of that number. The conditions were dire, and despite the protests from Captain Gilbert of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who argued vehemently against further overcrowding, the ship embarked on its fateful journey to Italy on November 13.
The following night, as the Scillin sailed off the coast of Tunisia, her voyage was abruptly halted by the British S-class submarine, HMS Sahib. Under the command of Lieutenant John Bromage, the Sahib fired two warning shells, which went unanswered by the Scillin. Mistaking it for a military transport carrying Italian troops, Lt. Bromage ordered a torpedo strike, hitting the ship's hold and sending the vessel and its human cargo to the depths of the Mediterranean.
Tragedy and Survival
Amidst the chaos, HMS Sahib managed to rescue 27 prisoners of war, including 26 British and one South African, along with Scillin's captain and 34 Italian crew members and guards. The arrival of an Italian warship forced the Sahib to flee, leaving many behind to perish. In total, between 787 and 806 POWs, along with 79 Italians, lost their lives in this maritime disaster.
Official Reactions and Secrets
Despite orders against attacking enemy civilian ships, Lt. Bromage was exonerated in an official inquiry as he had acted under the belief that Scillin was a military transport. Yet, the sinking's true nature remained shrouded in secrecy, with the British government withholding details for over fifty years. The veil was lifted only in 1996, following relentless inquiries by historians and relatives of the deceased.
The reasoning behind this prolonged silence lies in the realm of intelligence. The interception and subsequent attack were guided by Ultra, a highly secretive codebreaking operation that had provided precise details about Scillin's movements. To protect this invaluable source from Axis discovery, the British government kept the tragedy under wraps, a decision that continued to fuel speculation and controversy.
A Legacy of Loss
The sinking of SS Scillin was not an isolated incident. It was part of a grim pattern during the war, where several ships carrying POWs met similar fates in the Mediterranean, leading to nearly 2,000 casualties. Memorials, like those at the National Memorial Arboretum, serve as a somber tribute to those lost at sea on vessels such as the Sebastiano Veniero, Ariosto, Tembien, Nino Bixio, Loreto, and, of course, the Scillin.
The tale of the SS Scillin is a chilling reminder of the human cost of war and the shadowy corridors of intelligence that often guided its course.
Sources
For further reading and detailed accounts, refer to the following resources:
- Allen, Tony; Lettens, Jan (11 July 2011). "SS Scillin (+1942)". Wrecksite.
- "SS Scillin". WW2 People's War. BBC.
- Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2014). "HMS Sahib". uboat.net.
- Duncan, George. "1942". Maritime Disasters of World War II.
Explore more at the original Wikipedia article.
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Ship Launched
SS Scillin, originally named H. M. Pellatt, is launched in Scotland.
Final Voyage Begins
SS Scillin embarks with 814 Allied POWs from Tripoli, Libya.
Sinking of SS Scillin
HMS Sahib sinks SS Scillin, resulting in the deaths of nearly all POWs aboard.
Survivors Rescued
HMS Sahib rescues 27 POWs and the ship's captain after the sinking.
Inquiry into Sinking
An inquiry clears HMS Sahib's commander of culpability for the sinking.
Details Revealed
The UK Ministry of Defence discloses details of the sinking and POW casualties.
Complete Account Published
The Royal Artillery Journal publishes a detailed account of the sinking and Ultra's role.
On November 14, 1942, the cargo steamship SS Scillin was sunk by the British submarine HMS Sahib in the Mediterranean Sea while transporting over 800 Allied prisoners of war from North Africa to Italy. The incident occurred during World War II, and the sinking resulted in the deaths of nearly all the POWs on board. The ship, originally built in 1903 and owned by various companies throughout its history, was under Italian ownership at the time of its sinking. The UK government maintained the secrecy of the sinking's details until 1996, revealing significant evidence of wartime operations and the tragic loss of life associated with the incident. Currently, the case remains a historical reference for maritime warfare and the treatment of prisoners during conflict.
The SS Scillin is believed to have been targeted due to its Italian ownership during World War II, leading to its sinking by HMS Sahib. Some speculate that the ship may have been carrying valuable cargo or military supplies, making it a strategic target. Additionally, there are theories regarding the ship's previous names and ownership changes, suggesting that its varied history may have impacted its fate during the war.
The Ill-Fated Voyage of SS Scillin
In the tapestry of World War II's maritime history, the SS Scillin stands as a somber reminder of the perils faced by those at sea. Originally launched as the H. M. Pellatt in 1903 from the shipyards of Russell and Company in Greenock, Scotland, this cargo steamship bore witness to the tumultuous waves of ownership and identity changes throughout its existence. With a robust three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine, capable of pushing her to speeds of 11 knots, the vessel served various masters and donned many names, reflecting its complex history and the political tides of the early 20th century.
A Ship of Many Faces
From her inception as the H. M. Pellatt under the ownership of William Petersen Ltd in Newcastle, to her rechristening as Memling by the Société Belge d'Armement Maritime in 1920, and later as Nicole Le Borgne by Compagnie Charles Le Borgne of Marseille, the ship's identity was as fluid as the oceans she traversed. By 1937, she had finally settled into the name Scillin, under the ownership of Fratelli Bianchi Societá Di Navigazione of Genoa, Italy.
The Final Voyage
November 1942 marked the beginning of the end for the SS Scillin. In the bustling port of Tripoli, Libya, 814 Allied prisoners of war were crammed into the ship's hold, a space designed for a mere fraction of that number. The conditions were dire, and despite the protests from Captain Gilbert of the Royal Army Medical Corps, who argued vehemently against further overcrowding, the ship embarked on its fateful journey to Italy on November 13.
The following night, as the Scillin sailed off the coast of Tunisia, her voyage was abruptly halted by the British S-class submarine, HMS Sahib. Under the command of Lieutenant John Bromage, the Sahib fired two warning shells, which went unanswered by the Scillin. Mistaking it for a military transport carrying Italian troops, Lt. Bromage ordered a torpedo strike, hitting the ship's hold and sending the vessel and its human cargo to the depths of the Mediterranean.
Tragedy and Survival
Amidst the chaos, HMS Sahib managed to rescue 27 prisoners of war, including 26 British and one South African, along with Scillin's captain and 34 Italian crew members and guards. The arrival of an Italian warship forced the Sahib to flee, leaving many behind to perish. In total, between 787 and 806 POWs, along with 79 Italians, lost their lives in this maritime disaster.
Official Reactions and Secrets
Despite orders against attacking enemy civilian ships, Lt. Bromage was exonerated in an official inquiry as he had acted under the belief that Scillin was a military transport. Yet, the sinking's true nature remained shrouded in secrecy, with the British government withholding details for over fifty years. The veil was lifted only in 1996, following relentless inquiries by historians and relatives of the deceased.
The reasoning behind this prolonged silence lies in the realm of intelligence. The interception and subsequent attack were guided by Ultra, a highly secretive codebreaking operation that had provided precise details about Scillin's movements. To protect this invaluable source from Axis discovery, the British government kept the tragedy under wraps, a decision that continued to fuel speculation and controversy.
A Legacy of Loss
The sinking of SS Scillin was not an isolated incident. It was part of a grim pattern during the war, where several ships carrying POWs met similar fates in the Mediterranean, leading to nearly 2,000 casualties. Memorials, like those at the National Memorial Arboretum, serve as a somber tribute to those lost at sea on vessels such as the Sebastiano Veniero, Ariosto, Tembien, Nino Bixio, Loreto, and, of course, the Scillin.
The tale of the SS Scillin is a chilling reminder of the human cost of war and the shadowy corridors of intelligence that often guided its course.
Sources
For further reading and detailed accounts, refer to the following resources:
- Allen, Tony; Lettens, Jan (11 July 2011). "SS Scillin (+1942)". Wrecksite.
- "SS Scillin". WW2 People's War. BBC.
- Helgason, Guðmundur (1995–2014). "HMS Sahib". uboat.net.
- Duncan, George. "1942". Maritime Disasters of World War II.
Explore more at the original Wikipedia article.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Ship Launched
SS Scillin, originally named H. M. Pellatt, is launched in Scotland.
Final Voyage Begins
SS Scillin embarks with 814 Allied POWs from Tripoli, Libya.
Sinking of SS Scillin
HMS Sahib sinks SS Scillin, resulting in the deaths of nearly all POWs aboard.
Survivors Rescued
HMS Sahib rescues 27 POWs and the ship's captain after the sinking.
Inquiry into Sinking
An inquiry clears HMS Sahib's commander of culpability for the sinking.
Details Revealed
The UK Ministry of Defence discloses details of the sinking and POW casualties.
Complete Account Published
The Royal Artillery Journal publishes a detailed account of the sinking and Ultra's role.