ST Leukos

The ST Leukos was Irish Steam Trawler that operated off the coast of Ireland. She was lost with all hands on March 9, 1940 while fishing off Tory Island when the German submarine U-38 surfaced and opened fire with its deck gun. The Leukos and her crew of 11 were lost. As a neutral country, Irish ships, including the Leukos, were unarmed and clearly marked.

The Leukos was fishing in the company of British trawlers and she may have positioned herself between these fleeing trawlers and the U-boat in the vain belief that her status as a neutral would be respected. Alternatively the Leukos might have attempted to ram the U-38.

The Irish Seamen's Relatives Association holds that the Leukos did attempt to ram the U-38 as it threatened the British trawlers. They maintain that this selfless bravery should be acknowledged by the British government.

This loss remained a mystery for many years. Death certificates for the lost crew were not issued until 1986.