U-boats towards the convoy. At about 0830 BST (GMT +2) on 13 September, two ships were attacked by U-boats, one sinking within minutes. Later, at about 1100, several Luftwaffe Ju 88 bombers of KG30 (based at Petsamo) attacked PQ 18. A series of U-boat alerts followed, and then at about 1500 a large formation of He 111s and Ju 88s of KG26 attacked with bombs and at least 30 torpedoes; eight of the convoy's ships were sunk. Further air attacks occurred at 2100 hrs, during which one of Atheltemplars gunners succeeded in downing a Ju 88. At 0310 hours on 14 September penetrated the protective ring of escorts and attacked the convoy southwest of Bear Island. Despite reporting the sinking of one tanker and one other ship, and having damaged a Javelin-class destroyer, the U-boat's only success was to have torpedoed the Atheltemplar. The crew immediately abandoned the burning tanker. The master, 42 crew members and 18 gunners were picked up by the British rescue ship Copeland and the . They were then transferred to the Halcyon-class minesweepers and , and later the . Atheltemplar settled low at the stern but, although disabled, seemed to be able to remain afloat. HMS Harrier briefly took Atheltemplar in tow but, as a prolonged tow of the ship would have been hazardous given the constant enemy threat, it was decided that the Atheltemplar should be scuttled. tried to sink Atheltemplar with gunfire and depth charges, but failed and returned to the convoy. Then, at 14.30 hours, came across the capsized wreck of the Atheltemplar, by now drifting north of Bear Island, and sank her with her 88 mm gun at position . The survivors of the Atheltemplar were landed at Scapa Flow. The master of the rescue ship Copeland, W.J. Hartley, was awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea, for his actions in rescuing Atheltemplars crew. By the time of her sinking, Atheltemplar had completed at least 19 wartime Atlantic crossings, had sailed some 102,500 miles, and delivered 140,200 tons of essential fuel oil and molasses. 17 men died aboard her in the War. Official number, code letters and call sign Official numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. Atheltemplar'' had the UK Official Number 161160. She had the code letters LGBH until 1933, and the Call sign GKYQ from 1934. References Atheltemplar at Clydebuilt.net 1930 ships Ships built on the