Ship sunk in Marsa Matruh

[Dili]

Anyone can recognize it?

[LColombo]

The only ship that I know as having been sunk in Marsa Matruh is the motorship Città di Agrigento, shelled and sunk at 00.10 on 20 July 1942, while she was moored at the only existing pier in Marsa Matruh (she had arrived there on 16 July with 460 tons of ammunitions and had been retained there for use as a "bait" for S-Boot ambushes), by 2-3 British destroyers (out of a force of two cruisers and 6 destroyers, of which I cannot find the names); further damaged by air strike on 31 July 1942 and then sabotaged by her crew on 6 November 1942, during the retreat. Later refloated & repaired by the British and sold to a Greek owner.

Here are some photos: http://www.naviearmatori.net/ita/foto-158807-4.html (peacetime), http://www.naviearmatori.net/ita/foto-42529-1.html (september 1942), http://www.naviearmatori.net/ita/foto-5589-4.html (1941-1942).

[Dili]

Thanks. Don't appear to be her.

This might not even be in Marsa Matruh. Several pictures that come from Archivio have mistakes.

[kgvm]

I know other pictures of this wreck, but they are supposed to show Tobruk.
It's either the British "Chantala":
http://www.shf.org.au/wp-content/upload ... -1941..jpg
or another British India ship, the "Chakla", of which I haven't seen a picture to compare.

[Dili]

Thanks Kgvm that is very good input. It might be the indeed the Chantala

I have this picture said to be of Chakla under attack.

[Urmel]

Picture of Chantala here:

http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?31570

She sank off Tobruk, mined, so probably not her.

This link has Chakla sunk by bombing in Tobruk harbour:

http://www.world-war.co.uk/warloss_172brit.php3

Makes her the most likely candidate.

[Dili]

I think the mine damage is consistent with damage that appears photo. There isn't much damage in the superstructure. Unless it were near miss by bombs.

[kgvm]

Yes, "Chantala" was lost by mine, but the position of the loss is given as Tobruk Harbour in British Vessels lost at Sea 1939-1945. And the damage with broken back looks very much like a mine damage.
But nonetheless comparing the position of the wreck with the picture said to show the "Chakla" under attack it may well be the "Chakla".

[Urmel]

Well the position I have seen varies between 'off Tobruk harbour', which could mean in deeper waters and 'in Tobruk harbour'. While for Chakla it is quite clear that it was in the harbour.

[Dili]

I think we need to get a better resolution picture of Chakla under air attack. But for me the Chantala seems to resemble more the stricken ship. The stack in striken ship seems to be nearer the bridge than in Chakla photo.

Here is the source of Chakla photo http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/127950/

It says it is a still from the film, so we might get more info from the film, specially before the bomb.


Edit: Video of the attack is here http://www.awm.gov.au/collection/F01097/ around 7min 40 sec /13 08 in the counter.

I think the damage is consistent with what we see in stricken ship but i am not convinced by the resemblance.

[kgvm]

Thanks for the links, Dili.

[Dili]

kgvm i have sent you a PM.