Hyman Lewis – Merchant Navy, M.V. Adellen

Cook Hyman Lewis – Merchant Navy, M.V. Adellen

Early Life

Hyman Lewis was born in 1902 in Liverpool. Very few personal records survive concerning his early life, family background, or movements prior to the Second World War, and much of his story is preserved only through the wartime documentation relating to his service at sea.

Merchant Navy Service

Merchant Seamen Deaths

Hyman served with the Merchant Navy, holding the rank of Cook, a vital role responsible for providing meals for the crew and maintaining the ship’s galley under often difficult and dangerous wartime conditions. According to the Merchant Seamen Deaths register, he was recorded as residing at Dumbarton House, Castle Street, Loughor, placing him within the wider Swansea and Loughor maritime community.

The Attack on Convoy ONS‑67

In the early hours of 22 February 1942, the convoy ONS‑67 was sailing south of Cape Farewell when it came under attack by the German submarine U‑155, commanded by Adolf Piening. At 07.03 hours, U‑155 fired three torpedoes at the convoy and heard three detonations. Piening observed no visible effect from one detonation but saw explosions on two other ships. He believed he had sunk two vessels totalling 15,000 tons and damaged a third of 7,000 tons. In reality, two ships were hit and sunk: the Adellen and the Sama.

The Loss of the M.V. Adellen

M.V. Adellen
credit - wrecksite

The M.V. Adellen, commanded by Master John Brown, was struck and fatally damaged. Twenty‑nine crew members and seven gunners were lost in the attack. A small number survived: the master, nine crew members, and two gunners were rescued by the Canadian corvette HMCS Algoma (K 127) under Lt. J. Harding. They were later transferred to the British rescue ship Toward, commanded by Master Arthur James Knell DSC MBE, and were landed safely at Halifax on 1 March 1942.

Hyman Lewis
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Histroical Research Resources.
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Among those who perished was Cook Hyman Lewis, whose duties placed him deep within the ship’s galley during the attack.

Commemoration

With no known grave but the sea, Cook Hyman Lewis is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Though the details of his life remain sparse, his name endures among those of thousands of Merchant Navy personnel who gave their lives during the Second World War, ensuring that his service and sacrifice are remembered.