Jan-Olof
Since my last posting I have discovered a tug named CERNICALO (built 1910, 468 grt), owned by Compania Naviera San Cristobal SA, of Tampico, a Mexican company that was ultimately controlled by the British company Eagle Oil & Shipping Co Ltd. In 1940 (or 1941) all non-Mexican oil interests in that country were nationalised and assets confiscated, including the San Cristobal company.
Cernicalo, with three other tugs passed to the control of the Mexican government. It is shown in Lloyd's Register for 1941, but not in the 1942 edition. The vessel does not show up in any publication that I have as a war loss, and I cannot find it in Lloyd's Register Wreck Reports for 1941-42.
My guess is that this is the vessel which is mentioned in Lloyd's War Losses and is based on an erroneous report giving a slightly incorrect name and wrongly reported circumstances of loss.
If I discover anything more I shall let you know.
Regards
Roger