25 Jul, 1942, U-552 fired a spread of two torpedoes at the British Merit in convoy ON-113 and hit with one torpedo. The tanker was on its maiden voyage and had torpedo nets streamed which stopped one of the torpedoes, but the other struck her port quarter just behind the nets. One man was killed by the explosion and another seriously injured. 32 men abandoned ship in two lifeboats and were picked up by HMCS Brandon, while the master and 21 crew members remained aboard.

 

The tug HMS Frisky was sent out to salvage the disabled British Merit, which was guarded by HMCS Brandon and HMS Polyanthus. The latter then escorted the tug convoy to St. Johns, arriving on 2 August. After temporary repairs the tanker was towed to New York in September 1942 but did not return to service until almost a year later in August 1943.

 

1954 Company renamed British Petroleum

 

17 March 1961 Broken up at Briton Ferry