SS Clan Fraser (1938)

The SS Clan Fraser was a British cargo steamship. She was bombed and sunk in the Second World War while supporting allied operations in the Mediterranean.

History
Clan Fraser was built by Greenock Dockyard Company, Greenock and launched on 20 December 1938. She was completed in 1939 and entered service with Clan Line Steamers Ltd, of London, who registered her in Glasgow. She was a member of the. With the outbreak of the Second World War, she was used to support allied operations in the Mediterranean, and was one of the three merchant ships used in Operation Collar, a convoy to supply Malta and Alexandria. An attempt by Italian forces to intercept the ships led to the Battle of Cape Spartivento, after which Clan Fraser, and her sister SS Clan Forbes (1938) continued on to Malta.

Clan Fraser continued to operate in the Mediterranean. On 6 April German forces invaded Greece and Luftwaffe bombers led by Hans-Joachim 'Hajo' Herrmann attacked shipping in the Port of Piraeus. Clan Fraser was in port unloading arms and 250 tons of TNT explosives. She was hit and destroyed when her TNT exploded at 0315 hrs. She sank in the harbour, with six killed and nine wounded. Her Master, J.H. Giles was one of the survivors. The shock of the blast was felt 15 mi away in Athens, where doors were blown in; and in Psihiko, where windows were shattered. White hot debris detonated ΤΝΤ in other nearby ships, setting them and buildings ashore on fire. By morning the port had been severely damaged.