Foylebank
Ship Number
878
Vessel Type
Cargo Ship
Built
Belfast
Yard
East Yard
Slip Number
9
Launch Date
June 12, 1930
Delivered
November 14, 1930
Owner
Andrew Weir & Co.
Weight
5582 grt
BP Length
425 feet
Breadth
57 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
13.5 knots
Propulsion
Single Acting (S.A.) 8 cylinder airless injection - constructed by H&W in Belfast
Official No.
161870
Registered
Belfast
Fate
Sank
 Foylebank

The Foylebank was a converted 5,500 ton merchant ship of the Bank Line. Launched in 1930 she was requisitioned in September 1939, shortly after war broke out, and converted into an anti-aircraft ship with 2 pounder pom-poms, .5 inch machine guns and four Twin high angle 4 inch turrets.
 
She arrived in Portland on the 9th June for work-up followed by anti-aircraft duties.
 
On the 4th July 1940, whilst the bulk of her crew were at breakfast, unidentified aircraft were reported to the south, but these were believed to be friendlies returning to base. They turned out to be 26 of the German's most feared aircraft, the JU87 Stuka dive bomber, intent on "getting" the Foylebank, a possible snag to their plans to destroy Britain's vital coastal shipping. The ship fought back and 2 possibly 3 stukas were shot down but 22 bombs found their mark and her guns were put out of action. Fires raged, electricity failed and the stricken ship listed to port, shrouded in smoke. She sank on the 5th July 1940.