American MerchANt Ships Sunk in World War II
FOREIGN FLAG VESSELS UNDER CONTROL OF THE WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION LOST OR DAMAGED DURING WORLD WAR II. *=Includes info from Ships of ESSO Fleet |
This section contains a brief summary and account of 67 Panamanian and Honduran flag merchant ships lost or damaged during World War II upon which American Merchant Seamen and U.S. Naval Armed Guard were lost or wounded. These ships were under the control of the War Shipping Administration representing the Government of the United States. Most of these ships, freighters and tankers, were interned in a U.S. port and were eventually taken over by the U.S. Government under an Executive Order, Public Law #101. These ships were interned in a U.S. port at the outbreak of hostilities in Europe and during the years preceding America’s entry into the war. They were eventually allotted to the U.S. Maritime Commission who turned them over to the War Shipping Administration for operation. The War Shipping Administration in turn assigned them to American steamship companies under a General Agency Agreement. Upon activation, these ships were registered under the Flag of Panama. In addition to these ships, the War Shipping Administration bareboat and time chartered many other ships that were already registered under the Panamanian or Honduran Flag. These ships were owned by American steamship operators such as United Fruit, Standard Oil of New Jersey, and Socony Vacuum Oil Company. These ships were manned by Merchant Seamen of many nationalities including Americans. Many of them had U.S. Naval Armed Guard aboard. Only ships carrying American seamen as part of the crew and/or a U.S. Naval Armed Guard contingent are listed. In addition, I have listed the names of all those American Merchant Seamen who were lost or wounded on these ships. These men were never listed as lost by the U.S. Coast Guard as they were crew members on a foreign flag vessel. The following is not a complete list of the foreign flag ships lost or damaged during World War II that were under the control of the War Shipping Administration. There were many others lost that did not carry any Americans in the merchant crew but did have U.S. Naval Armed Guard aboard. Data on these ships was not available. |
NOTE: Figures in parentheses denote age of the Seaman.
The U-175 (Bruns) was sunk by the USCG SPENCER in position 48-40 N./21-20 W. on April 17, 1943. There were 13 members of the U-175 lost including the Captain. They were killed by gunfire from the SPENCER. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT CREW SURVIVORS EIDE, Ingvald K. DIAMOND, Anthony HILLARD, William LePAGE, Joseph McCORMICK, William U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD SURVIVORS EVE, Henry F. HEINKEL, John F. KIRCH, Robert E. STEVENSON, S.E. VAWTER, Alfred W. VOSIKIS, James G. WHITE, Hershel E. WILCOX, Raymond T. U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD LOST MULLEN, Bernard J. MERCHANT CREW LOST (Foreign) DeSOUSA, Antonio JOHANSEN, Olaf KARLSON, Nils E. LARSSON, Erick WILLIAMS, Cyril | Master Ch. Engr. Messman Coal Passer Messman Ensign S 2c A.S. A.S. A.S. S 2c A.S. A.S. A.S. Fireman Chief Mate Oiler A.B. Fireman | Valley Stream, NY Corona, NY West New York, NJ Yonkers, NY Hondo, Tx Portugal Norway Sweden Sweden England |
| MS ARRIAGA Home Port: Panama, R.P. Company: Lago Petroleum Corp. Master: Gunnar Gjertsen Built: Rochester, NY 1940 Gross Tons: 2345 Dimensions: 300′ x 43′ x 23′ Former Names: (a) DOLOMITE 3 (b) PETROHEAT | ||
The MS ARRIAGA, a small oil tanker, was purchased by the Lago Petroleum Corporation (subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey) on April 2, 1942 from the Dolomite 3 Corporation, a subsidiary of Petroleum Heat and Power Company of Baltimore. The vessel was registered under the flag of Panama but carried an American crew. The Panamanian flag tanker, MS ARRIAGA, was torpedoed by the German U-68 (Karl-Friedrich Mertens) on June 23, 1942 at 1235 CWT while en route from Baltimore to Aruba carrying 3100 tons of fresh water for the refinery at Aruba. She was in convoy from Baltimore to the Yucatan Channel. At this time the escort left. This was June 18th. From that time on she was on her own. On board was 23 merchant crew and 2 Naval Armed Guard. The Chief Engineer was killed when the torpedo exploded directly under his room. A torpedo struck the tanker on the port side just forward of the after house ripping a huge hole in the side of the ship, destroying the port lifeboat, and blowing a hole in the engine room bulkhead. Also put the steering gear out of action causing the ship to swing 90° before stopping. The sub surfaced 100 yards from the ARRIAGA. The 2 Navy gunners fired the 6 pound gun on the after part of the tanker with no results. The position of the sinking was 13-08 N./72-16 W. or about 50 miles off the coast of Colombia. The ship sank in 10 minutes. The crew abandoned ship in the starboard boat and one raft.There were four on the raft and they were taken aboard the lifeboat. On June 25th, the boat was taken in tow by a Colombian fishing boat which dropped the tow near the beach of a town called Pajaro. The crew rowed the remaining distance to the beach. The boat was then towed by a fishing vessel to a town named Rio Hacha. At this place the crew was taken care of by the British consul. Eventually they were taken to Barranquilla, and then by plane to Miami. The U-68 (Lauzemis) was sunk on April 10, 1944 north of Madeira in position 33-25 N./18-59 W. by aircraft from the USS GUADALCANAL (CVE 60). There was only one survivor from the U-68 who was rescued by the U.S. Navy. 56 others in the crew were lost. | ||
U.S. MERCHANT SEAMAN LOST Harry L. HOVLAND | Chief Engr. | |
| The names of the survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WW II.” | ||
| SS BEACONLIGHT Home Port: Panama, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co.(Standard Oil of New Jersey) Master: Urban A. Haughan Built: Alameda, CA 1920 Gross Tons: 6926 Dimensions: 453′ x 56′ x 33′ Capacity: 74,722 bbls | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, SS BEACONLIGHT, was torpedoed by the German U-160 (Georg Lassen) at 0316 ship time on July 16, 1942 while en route from Cape Town (departed June 21) to Trinidad in ballast unescorted. Armament consisted of a 12 pound gun aft and 2 machine guns (.30 cal.) one on each side of the bridge. On board was a merchant crew of 39 plus 2 British gunners.The majority of the crew were American citizens. One crew member, an A.B., was lost. A torpedo struck the tanker on the starboard side between #8 and #9 tanks. Position of the attack was 10-59 N./61-07 W. or about 10 miles NW Galera Point, Trinidad. About 5 minutes later a 2nd torpedo struck on the same side in the engine room. The extent of the damage was not known as the ship began to sink immediately. The ship had to be sunk by the Dutch ROODE ZEE, to prevent her being a menace to navigation. The crew abandoned ship in three lifeboats. They were picked up about 0900 by a small passenger vessel, the SS TRINIDAD, and landed at Port of Spain around 1700. The U-160 (v. Pommer-Esche) was sunk south of the Azores (33-54 N./27-13 W.) by aircraft from the USS SANTEE (CVE- 29) on July 14, 1943. There were no survivors. | ||
U.S. MERCHANT LOST Peter DOBISH | A.B. | |
| The names of the survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” | ||
| MS C.O. STILLMAN Home Port: Panama, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co. (Standard Oil of N.J.) Master: Daniel H. Larsen Built: Vegesack, Germany 1928 Gross Tons: 13,006 Cargo Capacity: 163,145 Dimensions: 584′ x 75′ x 44′ | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, MS C.O. STILLMAN, was torpedoed by the German U-68 (Karl-Friedrich Mertens) at 2115 ship time on June 5, 1942 while en route alone, from Aruba to New York with a cargo of 125,812 barrels of Fuel Oil and 39 tons of dry cargo, in position 17-30 N./68-20 W. or about 60 miles SW of Puerto Rico. On board was a merchant crew of 47, 8 U.S. Naval Armed Guard, and 3 Workaways from other tankers. Three (3) crew members were lost. The first torpedo struck on the starboard side abaft the midship house setting the after end of the house on fire. The Master ordered the ship stopped and for the men to abandon ship. About 2135 EWT another torpedo hit the ship on the starboard side forward of the engine room showering the deck with fuel oil and debris. At that time those remaining aboard jumped over the side and climbed aboard rafts. The ship sunk 2 minutes after the 2nd torpedo hit. The ship was abandoned in #3 and #4 lifeboats and 4 rafts. There were 25 survivors on the 4 rafts consisting of 22 crew and 3 Navy gunners. They were rescued by Coast Guard Patrol Boat #83310 on June 7th just before dark after being notified by an Army plane which had spotted the rafts. They were landed at Ponce, P.R. at 0500 on June 8, 1942 and repatriated on the SS SEMINOLE. Those in the two boats drifted until the dawn of June 6 and then set sail for the Dominican Republic. Boat #3 with 17 survivors landed at the Bay of Yuma. Boat #4 with 13 survivors landed at La Romana. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST FINN, Lawrence C. LANG, John P. WICKLINE, George T. | 2nd Engr. A.B. Pumpman | |
| Names of surviors can be found in the book, “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” The U-68 (Lauzemis) was sunk on April 10, 1944 north of Madeira 33-25 N./18-59 W.) by aircraft from the USS GUADALCANAL (CVE-60). There was only one survivor rescued by the U.S. Navy. 56 were lost. | ||
| SS CHARLES PRATT Home Port: Panama, R.P. Company: Panama Transport C. (Standard Oil of N.J.) Master: Eric R. Blomquist Built: Newport News, VA 1916 Gross Tons: 8982 Capacity: 119,410 Dimensions: 516’x 68’x 38′ | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, SS CHARLES PRATT, was torpedoed without warning by the German U-68 (H-G yon Stockhausen) at 1455 local time on December 21, 1940 in position 8-26 N./16-51 W. while en route from Aruba to Freetown with a cargo of 96,069 barrels of Fuel Oil. This attack took place almost a year before Pearl Harbor. The PRA TF was about 220 miles from Freetown, Sierra Leone. She was unarmed and flying the flag of a neutral nation. At the time of the attack in broad daylight, the flag of Panama was flying from the stem, the stack was marked with the Panama Transport insignia, and the Panamanian flag was painted on both sides of the hull. The ship was manned by an American crew of 42 men. Two of the crew were lost. On October 20, 1939 the registry of this ship was changed from the U.S. to Panama but kept the American crew. The first torpedo hit on the starboard side at #6 tank blowing out the bulkheads in #6 main tank and #4 summer tank and also the deck plates in the way of the pumproom. The explosion showered oil and debris clear to the top of the mast and over the boat and poop deck. The ship caught fire at once and burning oil flowed into the starboard alleyway. Steam smothering lines were opened but to no avail as all lines were destroyed in the pumproom. As the fire was gaining, the Master ordered abandon ship.Lifeboats #2 & #4 were launched. After the ship had been abandoned a second torpedo struck just forward of the midship house blowing burning oil and debris several hundred feet in the air and showering the ocean with oil and steel fragments, some just missing #2 boat. This explosion put out the fire. The Chief Mate was picked up 40 minutes after the ship was abandoned by #2 boat which was in charge of the Master. He had been blown overboard by the explosion along with an Ordinary Seaman. The Chief Mate suffered various injuries including a broken leg. The Ordinary Seaman was never found. Lifeboat #2 was picked up on December 25th at 1350 local time by the MV GASCONY and landed at Freetown. Boat #4 was picked up by the SS LANGLEEGORSE on December 26th and landed at Freetown. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST DOUGHERTY, Patrick DUFFY, Duffy | O.S. Wiper | |
| The names of survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” The U-65 was sunk on April 28, 1941 by HMS GLADIOLUS (K-34) in position 60-04 N./15-45 W. Commanding Officer of U-65 was Joachim Hoppe. There were no survivors. | ||
| SS DESERT LIGHT Home Port: Panama, R.P. Company: Alcoa SS Co. Master: Charles B. Dunn (American) Built: W. Hartlepool, England 1903 Gross Tons: 2231 Dimensions: 313′ x 43′ x 19′ Propulsion: Coal – Single screw Former Names: (a) NIREFS (b) DIAMONDO (c) PANDIA | ||
The Panamanian flag freighter, SS DESERT LIGHT, ex Finnish PANDIA, was taken over by the U.S. from the Finnish Government on December 27, 1941 at the port of New York, under an Executive Order of June 6, 1941. The ship was allotted to the War Shipping Administration which in turn allotted the ship to Alcoa SS Company for operation on February 6, 1942 at New York. The ship had been under the flag of Panama since August 1941. When confiscated by the U.S., the ship was operated by a Finnish company owned by Arthur Karlsson. The SS DESERT LIGHT, was torpedoed by the German U-572 (Heinz Hirsacker) at 1203 EWT on April 16, 1942 in position 35-35 N./72-48 W. while en route from New York to Bermuda with a cargo of 3800 tons of supplies for the Naval Operating Base, including 104 tons of ammunition and dynamite. She was sailing alone and unarmed. Two torpedoes ripped into the starboard side of the ship amidships just forward of the boiler room. The explosion blew out the bottom plates and tore the side of the hull up to the deck. Extensive damage was done to the midship house and the bulkhead holding the coal bunkers was ruptured. The engine room and fireroom quickly flooded causing the ship to sink at 1323 EWT. Also the starboard boat was destroyed by the explosion. On board the DESERT LIGHT was a crew of 31 men. One Fireman was lost. The ship was abandoned at 1223 by all hands in the port boat and the port raft. Five men left on the raft and 25 men were in the boat. Later, those on the raft transferred to the boat. They were finally rescued at 1200 on April 23rd by the USS ROPER DD 147 and taken to Morehead City, N.C. The U-572 (Heinz Kummetat) was sunk by U.S. Navy aircraft Vp-205 on August 3, 1942 in position 11-35 N./54-05 W. There were no survivors. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMAN LOST CLEMENT, Lorenzo Fireman NOTE 1: (There was no crew list for this ship) | ||
NOTE: Captain Dunn had to sign three crews before he could get one to sail the ship. After one crew learned that the ship carried explosives they refused to sail and signed off. A second crew was signed on but they too refused to sail and signed off. On the third try the company found it necessary to get most of the crew from Canada in order to take the ship to sea. (From official U.S. Navy records). | ||
| MS ESSO BOLIVAR Company: Panama Transport Co.(Standard Oil of New Jersey) Master: James M. Stewart (Lost) Built: Kiel Gaarde, Germany 1937 Gross Tons: 10,389 Cargo Capacity: 128,894 barrels Dimensions: 506′ x 70′ x 37′ | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, MS ESSO BOLIVAR, was shelled an torpedoed by the German U-126 (Ernst Bauer) at 0230 on March 7, 1942 in position 19-38 N./74-38 W. or about 30 miles SE of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, while en route from New York to Aruba with a load of fresh water, commissary stores, and a deck cargo. The ship did not sink but was badly damaged. Eventually repaired and put back into service. On board was a merchant crew of 44 and a U.S. Naval Armed Guard contingent of six. Seven crew members, including the Master and Chief Mate were lost. One Navy gunner was lost. Ten crew members were wounded as were four of the Navy men. The ESSO BOLIVAR left New York on February 26th armed with a stern gun and two .30 caliber machine guns. A stop was made at Newport News for routing instructions from the Navy and to test the degaussing system. She departed there on March 1st, unescorted for Aruba. At 0230 the ship was attacked by vicious shelling from U-126. Seven crew members were killed and many wounded. About two hours after the initial attack, a torpedo struck on the starboard side blowing part of the deck cargo several hundred feet in the air. She took a heavy list to port but stayed afloat. Shells struck the after house, wheelhouse, and the midship house. The 3rd shell exploded in the afterhouse starting a fire in the galley which soon spread and blazed upward like a flaming torch driving the gun crew from the after gun. Bulkheads caved in from the intense heat. The engines were stopped at 0310 with the steering gear shot away. The deck cargo of acetylene cylinders were shattered by shellfire setting the gas on fire. The torpedo made a hole 50′ x 35′ next to the pumproom. The ship was abandoned in #1 lifeboat and four of the rafts.The lifeboat picked up survivors in the water. All survivors were picked up by the minesweeper USS ENDURANCE and taken to Guantanamo Naval Base where all the wounded were hospitalized. On March 25th, the ship left Guantanamo under her own power with a Naval escort, arriving Mobile on March 30th where permanent repairs were completed on July 24th. On August 6th, she loaded a full cargo at Corpus Christi, Texas for New York. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST DALEY, John FUDSKE, Hawkins SCARDORA, Henry H. STEWART, James M. VAUGHT, Basil E. WILSON, Irving C. ZAWISTOWSKY, Boleslau U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD LOST CREPS, Lawrence R. | Messman Chief Mate Messman Master O.S. Oiler 2nd Cook AS | |
The U-126 (Siegfried Kietz) was sunk by RAF Squadron 172 in the North Atlantic (46-10 N./11-23 W.) on July 3, 1943. There were no survivors. The Chief Mate, Hawkings Fudske, Chief Engineer William McTaggart, Arthur Lauman, Fireman, and Charles Richardson, A.B. were all awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal for their bravery in the attack on this ship. Mr. Fudske’s award was made posthumously to his wife. A Liberty ship was also named for him. The names and position of the merchant crew and Naval Armed Guard survivors can be found in the book, “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” | ||
SS H.H. ROGERS Home Port: Panama City, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co. (Standard Oil of New Jersey) Master: Clinton W. Hayes Built: Newport News, Va. 1916 Gross Tons: 8807 Dimensions: 516′ x 68′ x 38′ Capacity: 119,390 barrels | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, H.H. ROGERS, was torpedoed by the German U-664 (Adolph Graef) at 1940 local time on February 21, 1943 while en route from Liverpool to a U.S. port in Convoy ONS 167 (#13) in ballast. The attack took place about 600 miles west of the Irish coast in position 50-13 N./24-48 W. On board was an American merchant crew of 47 and a U.S. Naval Armed Guard crew of 26. All were saved. The ROGERS had just completed a voyage from New York to Liverpool where she delivered 83,366 barrels of Fuel Oil plus a cargo of war materials. She left Liverpool on February 12th, stopping at Belfast and leaving that port on the 14th. At 1935 local time, an American freighter, the SS ROSARIO, in position #11, was torpedoed. At 1940, the same U-664 that had sunk the ROSARIO attacked the ROGERS. A torpedo hit on the port side around #10 main tank rupturing the tank and the decks in that vicinity and the fireroom bulkhead. This resulted in the engine and fire rooms flooding. Boat #4 was blown overboard. After a consultation with the Chief Mate and 1st Engineer, the Master agreed that the ship could not be saved. About a half hour after the attack, the Master ordered the ship abandoned. Three boats and all the rafts were launched. Boat #3 first followed by #1 and #2. Crew members in #3 boat picked up several of the survivors from the ROSARIO who had been in the water for an hour. Four men on a raft were rescued by one of the British corvettes. All others in the boats and rafts rowed to the rescue ship RATHLIN where they were taken aboard. Those on the RATHLIN were landed at Halifax on March 6th. The four men on the British corvette were landed at St. Johns, Newfoundland on March 1st. The U-664 (Adolf Graef) was sunk west of the Azores on August 9, 1943 by aircraft from the USS CARD (CVE 11) in position 40-12 N./37-29 W. Eight men were lost and 44 taken prisoner. Names of the merchant crew and Navy Armed Guard can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” |
| MS HEINRICH v. RIEDEMANN Home Port: Panama City, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co. (Standard Oil of N.J.) Master: Andrew Weiler Built: Vegesack, Germany 1930 Gross Tons: 11,020 Dimensions: 542′ x 70′ x 39′ Cargo Capacity: 139,515 barrels | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, MS HEINRICH v. RIEDEMANN,was torpedoed by the German U-66 (Richard Zapp) at 2320 ship time on April 16, 1942 in position 11-55 N./ 63-47 W., while en route alone from Port of Spain, Trinidad to Aruba with a cargo of 127,041 barrels of Crude oil which had been loaded at La Guira, Venezuela. The ship was unarmed. On board was a crew of 44 men including the Master. All hands were saved. The ship left La Guira at 1530 on April 14th, proceeding first to Port of Spain for orders. Left that port at 0755 on April 16th in a small convoy. At 1325 the convoy dispersed and the RIEDEMANN proceeded alone according to orders. At 2320 on the same day (April 16th), a torpedo struck the tanker on the port side in the way of #6 tank. The port diesel was damaged and stopped by the explosion. The steering gear was also wrecked. The Master then ordered the starboard engine stopped as the ship was going around in circles. Oil was pouring out of #6 tank. The ship was ordered abandoned 20 minutes after the torpedo struck. Three boats were launched, #1-3-4. About 0040 on April 17th, another torpedo hit setting the ship on fire which went out at 0105. At 0155 a 3rd torpedo struck and set the ship afire again. The ship finally disappeared about 0305. All 44 survivors got away in 3 boats. Fifteen men including the Master were in #1 boat. Ten men were in #3 boat and 14 men were in #4 boat. #1 boat landed at Blanquilla Island at 1900 on the 17th. On April 20th, the SS MARICAIBO picked up the survivors in this boat and landed them at Caracas at 0600 on April 22nd. Those in #3 and #4 boats were picked up by the Norwegian freighter KARMT at 0730 and landed them at Trinidad at 1100 on April 18th. U-66 (Seehausen) was sunk off Cape Verde Islands in position 17-17 N./32-29 W.) by the USS BUCKLEY (DE 51) and aircraft from the USS BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21). 24 men from the U-66 were lost and 36 taken prisoner. The names of survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” |
| SS I.C. WHITE Home Port: Panama City, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co. (Standard Oil of N.J.) Master: William Mello Built: Chester, PA 1920 Gross Tons: 7013 Dimensions:445′ x 59′ x 33 Cargo Capacity: 78,220 barrels | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, SS I.C. WHITE, was torpedoed by the German U-66 (Richard Zapp) at 0015 ship time on September 27, 1941 in position 10-26 S. /27-30 W., while en route, alone, from Curacao to Cape Town, with a cargo of 62,390 barrels of Maroil. The WHITE was steaming fully lighted with the Panamanian flag flying with two spotlights on it, fully lighting the flag. Also the Panamanian flag was painted on both sides of the ship and the Panama Transport markings were on the stack. On board was an American merchant crew of 37 men.Three of them were lost in the attack which took place over two months before December 7, 1941. At 0015, a torpedo struck the ship on the starboard side between #7 and #8 tanks. The explosion threw flaming oil up over the boat deck aft. The topmast fell down and the ship sagged in the middle so that water ran across the deck midships. She sank around 0300 the same day. Three boats, #1-2-3 were launched. The Master, Chief Mate, 2nd Mate, and an Ordinary seaman launched and boarded #1 boat. During the night they met up with #3 boat. The Master ordered an A.B. to take charge of that boat and to stay with #1 boat. At daylight #! boat picked up the 3rd Engineer and a Wiper off a raft. After this, #2 boat was sighted. This boat in charge of the 3rd Mate. Eventually, all the survivors were split up between #2 and #3 boats with the Master in charge of #2 boat and the Chief Mate in charge of #3 boat. The decision was made to head for the coast of Brazil setting sail at 0930 of September 28th. On October 3rd, Boat #2 was picked up at 2348 local time by the SS DEL NORTE, about 40 miles off Porto de Maceio, Brazil in position 10-16 S./35-23 W. The boat had sailed about 470 miles. Captain Hoehn, of the DEL NORTE, said he had seen the boat’s flare 8 miles away. Boat #3 was picked up on October 3rd by the SS WEST NILUS (Capt. John Stern). This boat had sailed nearly 500 miles. Both ships landed the survivors at Rio de Janeiro on October 7th. The survivors were returned to the U.S. aboard the American SS BRAZIL arriving New York on October 20, 1941. The U-66 (Seehausen) was sunk off the Cape Verde Islands on May 6, 1944 by the USS BUCKLEY (DE-51) with help from aircraft from the USS BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21). Of the crew of the U-66, 24 were lost and 36 taken prisoner by the U.S. Navy. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST DOBROSIELSKI, Frank RANKIN, William C. YEVIC, Joseph A. | A.B. Oiler Bosun | |
| Yevic and Dobrosielski had helped to lower a lifeboat and after it was in the water, slid down the falls but as they did so, the boat was carried away from the ship by a wave. They dropped into the water and were not seen again. The names of the survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” | ||
| MS J.A. MOWINCKEL Home Port: Panama City, R.P. Company: Panama Transport Co. (Standard Oil of N.J.) Master: Harold Griffiths Built: Monfalcone, Italy 1930 Gross Tons: 11,147 Dimensions: 540′ x 70′ x 39 Cargo Capacity: 139,765 barrels | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, MS J.A. MOWINCKEL, was torpedoed by the German U-576 (Hans-Dieter Heinicke) at 1625 EWTon July 15, 1942 while en route from New York to Aruba in Convoy KS-520 no oil aboard but carrying a small quantity of dry cargo. The tanks were loaded with 6000 tons of fresh water. Soon after the attack, the Master of the ship headed toward shore in order to reach Hatteras Inlet or some other safe place to anchor. In the process of doing this the ship entered a U.S. mine field. About 1955, a mine exploded on the starboard side at #2 tank. There is doubt whether it was a mine or torpedo. The ship did not sink but was later repaired and put back into service. On board was a merchant crew of 46 men and 13 U.S.Naval Armed Guard. One crew member died of wounds,received in the explosion of the torpedo. One U.S. Navy gunner died of his wounds, received in the explosion of the torpedo, at the Marine Hospital in Norfolk on July 21st. Ten crew members and 4 Navy men were injured by the first explosion but survived. Four torpedoes had been fired by the U-576. The first hit the SS CHILORE, the 2nd hit the MOWINCKEL, the 3rd sunk the BLUEFIELDS, and the 4th passed astern of the MOWINCKEL. At about 1625 EWT, the MOWINCKEL was struck in the stern but did not sink. The torpedo hit about 8 feet below the waterline in the after part of the ship, blowing a hole in the hull through the after peak and steering engine room. The steering gear was wrecked along with the galley, messrooms, and after gun platform. The after bulkhead in the engine room was ruptured allowing the engine room to take on water. After the MOWINCKEL struck the mine the Master dropped the anchor and ordered the ship abandoned in the fear that the ship would be attacked again. The ship was abandoned at 2005 in four boats. Boats #1 S #3 landed at Ocracoke Inlet on July 16th at 0430. The other two were towed by a Coast Guard boat to Ocracoke Inlet. The MOWINCKEL was towed by the tug J.P. MARTIN to Hatteras Inlet at 0300 on July 20th. The ship was beached and pumped out and floated on July 21st. At 0300 on the 22nd, the ship struck another mine at #7 tank which filled with water. After pumping out that tank the ship was ready for towing on July 23rd. She was taken in tow by the tug RELIEF and U.S. Navy tug USS SCOTIA. Escorted by 2 Corvettes, the tow arrived at Hampton Roads on July 25th, then to Baltimore for temporary repairs. Left Baltimore, in tow, on September 6th arriving New York on September 10th. Repairs were completed on March 12, 1943, sailing the next day for Aruba. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMAN LOST COLEMENERO, Clemente | Storekeeper | |
| This man was working in the Messroom when the torpedo hit. He was treated by a doctor from a destroyer but died from the wounds. | ||
| U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD LOST WOLFE, Raymond V. | S 2c | |
| This man was stationed on the after gun platform when the torpedo hit. Died from his wounds at the Marine Hospital in Norfolk on July 21st. The names of the survivors can be found in the book “SHIPS OF THE ESSO FLEET IN WORLD WAR II.” | ||
| MS LUBRAFOL Home Port: Panama City, R.P. Company: Gulf Oil Co. Belgium Master: E. Van Schoenberg (Belgium) Built: Newcastle, England 1924 Gross Tons: 7138 | ||
The Panamanian flag tanker, MS LUBRAFOL, was Time-Chartered to the War Shipping Administration at 1500 hours on April 24, 1942 at Aruba N.W.I. The MS LUBRAFOL, a Panamanian flag tanker, was torpedoed by the German U-564 (Reinhard Suhren) at 0415 EWT on May 9, 1942 in position 26-25 N./80-00 W. (about 3-1/2 miles off Hillsboro Inlet, Florida) while en route alone, from Aruba to New York with a cargo of 67,000 barrels of #2 Heating Oil. On board was a complement of 44 men consisting of a merchant crew of 38 and a U.S. Naval Armed Guard contingent of 6 men. Thirteen (13/of the crew were lost and 7 were injured. There were no casualties to the Armed Guard. Two of the crew were killed on the bridge. Of the 38 crew members, 11 of them were American citizens. Three of them were among the 13 lost and one was injured. At 0415 EWT, a torpedo hit on the starboard side amidships at #5 tank which burst into flames immediately. A few seconds later #1 tank burst into flames. The Master is of the opinion that this was caused by a second torpedo. The foremast toppled onto the bridge from the force of the explosion. The engine was stopped at once. The Master ordered the wheel hard over left to bring the ship broadside to the wind with the damaged side to leeward. As all the radio antennae were destroyed, no distress call could be sent. The ship was abandoned in 3 boats by 42 men. Two had been killed on the bridge. The after boat caught fire. Several crew members jumped overboard from this boat and were lost. This boat was in charge of the Chief Mate. Two Coast Guard boats were at the scene at once and towed the boats clear of the burning oil to a point of safety. The 31 survivors were landed at Boynton Beach, Florida. Seven bodies were recovered. The U-564 (H. Fiedler) was sunk by RAF Sqdn. #10 on June 14, 1943 in position 44-17 N./10-25 W. (NW of Cape Ortegal). There were 18 survivors who were rescued by the U-185 on the same day. They were transferred to the German destroyer Z-24. Twenty-eight (28) went down with the U-564. | ||
| U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST HARR1NGTON, Joseph R. (28) LINDSTROM, Elmer (19) STOYANOVICH, Alex C. (32) U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN SURVIVORS CAMACHO, Luciano E. (23) EGER, Alexander (21) GILBERT, Steven (25) JOHNSON, Hubert (19)(lnj.) KNUDSEN, Lythe (25) MIKESELL, Willard (26) SMITH, Albert (24) WALTER, Joseph (22) U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD AMBROSE, Leonard C. HOWARD, Lawrence H. McCLANE, Donald S. MALCOLM, Hugh B. MATHEWS, Casey P. MOSKAL, Edward J. FOREIGN SEAMEN LOST BARNES, J. COOYERS, William (31) CRAEN, Gommaire (35) GULDEN, James (31) GULLIKSEN, Kristoffer (29) HOLTHE, O’Leif (24) LEONHARD, Tom (23) VANDERBERG, Joseph (45) VAN DESSEL, Pierre (43) WEGBRANDS, Abraham (31 ) | O.S. O.S. Oiler O.S O.S Radio Op. Galleyman A.B Jr. Engr. Oiler, Wiper Coxswain A.S A.S A.S A.S A.S 2nd Radio Op. 2nd Cook Bosun A.B. A.B. A.B. Messman Messman 1st Engr. Jr Engr. | Staten Island, NY Brooklyn, NY Bronx, NY New York City Jamaica, NY Wheatly, AK Silver Lake, NJ Galesburg, IL Staten Island, NY New York City Oceanside, NY Canada Dutch Belgian Irish Norwegian Norwegian Dutch Belgian Belgian Dutch |
Detail info about Tom Leonhard and Abraham Wegbrands can be found at the Netherlands War Graves Foundation | ||
| SS CHICKASAW CITY (3) DIAZ, Camillo MAGKAKIAN, Levon DAZZO, Joseph A. SS COLORADAN (5) FRANK, Speed T. FLANAGAN, E.C. GROSSMAN, Max MARTINIS, Walter RORPTON, Cyril W. SS EXAMELIA (5) ADAMS, Daniel F. LEJDER, Edward MILLS, Frederick J. ROBINSON, Stanley WASSONG, John R. SS SWlFTSURE (8) ERLAND, Edward MATTHEWS, Marion J. MERCER, Belmont NIEGOS, Guilherme OLSEN, Laurence STROAT, Hollis E. PERHO, Harry C. WINSLOW, Charles A. MS FIRETHORN (11 ) BODINELLI, Harry E. BURTON, Ferris H. BYRD, Harwood B. FISHER, Alfred LUCAS, James R. PHIPPS, Henry J. ROLLINS, Leonard T. SEAWELL, Ernest N. STANDISH, Chester A. RUITENBERG, G. VANTOL, Gerrit MS ZAANDAM (28) AUSTIN, Wallace J. BARRON, William L. CRADDOCK, Joseph S. CRUM, John W. KARLIN, Louis WIEDEMAN, Gaylord H. ADRIAANOR, William J. BROEKHOF, W. EMHOF, FNU KRENK, W. PAHNQUIST, L.J. ROOS, J.R. STENEKES, Seitze VAN BLEIT, J. BRIIONES, Teoderico REID, Joseph L. TOMSON, Edward CALLAHAN, Austin L. | Messman OS 2 2c USN AB Messman Messman Bosun 2nd Mate Messman 2nd Cook Ch engr S 2c USN Fireman Fireman Master Ch. Engr Cook AB (Died after landing on the beach) OS AB Fireman S 2c USN S 2c USN S 2c USN S 2c USN S 2c USN S 2c S 2c S 1c S 1c AB (Dutch) AB (Dutch) SM 3c USN S 2c USN S2c USN BM 1c USN AS USN SM 3c USN Bosun 2nd Mate (In charge of boat) Deck Officer AB — — AB (Died on the Beach) Deck Officer Repatriated seaman from SS WILSOX Repatriated seaman from SS WEST KEANE Repatriated seaman from SS MALAY Civilian passenger | |
plus 10 members of the Steward’s Dept. from Java. U.S. MERCHANT SEAMEN LOST ON THE MS ZAANDAM To find the names of those lost, see Pages 522, 581, and 582. See lists for ZAANDAM, COLORADAN, EXAMELIA,and SWIFTSURE. U.S. NAVAL ARMED GUARD LOST ON THE MS ZAANDAM | ||
| From the SS EXAMELIA BEEZLEY, George F. ERNER, Vernon E. LEOVY, Thomas M., Jr. SCHLEGELMILCH, Edison F. SHARBOB, Sylvester L. From the SS CHICKASAW CITY CROW, Marvin E. DEARWESTER, Kenneth W. DECKER, Pete DEFINA, Joseph P. FAWKS, Arnold G. From the MS ZAANDAM (Assigned to this ship) ARTRIP, Denver T. FUDALA, Stanley A. JANKOWSKI, Matthew M. JENSEN, Donald E. JOHNSON, Everett W. JOWDY, Emil J. KACEVICH, Vincent S. LABBE, Normand L. MADDOX, James S. SATTERWHITE, Jos J. | AS AS Ensign AS AS S 1c AS AS AS Ensign AS S 2c AS AS AS AS AS AS Ensign S 2c | |
NOTE: The lifeboat with 72 survivors on board was in charge of K. Karssen, 2nd Officer of the ZAANDAM. The boat with 34 aboard was in charge of J. DeLange, a deck officer on the ZAANDAM. Unfortunately, there are no records in the National Archives showing the number of U.S.N. Armed Guard lost from the SS SWIFTSURE. 83 DAYS ON A RAFT FROM THE MS ZAANDAM A raft with 16 survivors aboard, unseen by the 3 lifeboats, was still floatin in the area of the sinking. One of the 16 men, Cornelius Van Der Sloat, a 40-year-old Oiler from the ZAANDAM, sighted another raft empty of people. As the raft he was on was overcrowded, he jumped overboard and swam to the empty raft. Within the next two hours he was joined by three other survivors. They were Ensign James Maddox, the 30-year-old Officer in charge of the ZAANDAM Armed Guard contingent.; George Beezely, a U.S. Navy Armed Guard from the SS EXAMELIA; and Nicko Hoogendam, a 17-year-old A.B. from the MS FIRETHORN. Basil Izzi, a 20-year-old U.S. Navy Armed Guard stationed aboard the ZAANDAM, had jumped overboard after the 2nd torpedo struck. He had been clinging to various pieces of wreckage for nearly two days. Near the end of the 2nd day he spotted a raft with 4 men aboard. He swam to the raft and was pulled aboard. This made a total of five men on the raft. On the 60th day, Beezley became ill. In spite of the good care of the others he died on the 66th day. He was buried at sea with Ensign Maddox conducting the service. On the 73rd day, Maddox became ill and died. As the days passed, the situation became critical for the three survivors. On the 83rd day they heard the noise of an airplane engine. The plane was seen but it disappeared later. At this time they lost hope that they had been seen. But on the next day, the 83rd, smoke was seen on the horizon. Soon a convoy was seen escorted by Navy ships. On board of one of the escorts, the PC 576, the raft was spotted by a lookout, Seaman 3c B. DeWitte. Soon the PC 576 was alongside the raft and took the 3 survivors aboard. Van Der Sloat was the only one who could still stand and walk. They were fed liquid food for 2 days. They were landed at Pernambuco, Brazil where they spent 6 weeks in a hospital. They were then flown to Miami and then to the U.S. Navy hospital in Bethesda where they fully recovered. For having spotted the raft, Seaman DeWitte was promoted to S1c. **** End **** Page 625 – 667 of “A Careless Word…a Needles Sinking by Captain Arthur R. Moore. |