Frances Salman
Frances Salman under her former name Lake Flambeau
| Name | Frances Salman | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 2.609 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - McDougall-Duluth Shipbuilding Co, Duluth MN | ||
| Owner | Canadian Gulf Lines Inc, Houston TX | ||
| Homeport | Houston | ||
| Date of attack | 18 Jan, 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-552 (Erich Topp) | ||
| Position | Grid BB 6679 - See estimated map location (45.56N52.47W) * | ||
| Complement | 28 (28 dead - no survivors) | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | St. Johns (17 Jan) - Corner Brook, Newfoundland | ||
| Cargo | Ballast | ||
| History | Completed in October 1919 as Lake Flambeau for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1924 renamed James River for Philadelphia & Norfolk SS Co Inc, Wilmington DE. 1939 renamed Frances Salman for Canadian Gulf Lines Inc, Houston TX. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 06.44 hours on 18 Jan, 1942, the unescorted and unarmed Frances Salman (Master Rasmus Wathne) was hit by one torpedo from U-552 off Newfoundland, after being missed by four torpedoes in four unsuccessful attacks. The ship attempted to escape and several distress signals were sent, but were not heard by Allied stations. The torpedo, fired from about 500 yards, struck the after part of the ship, causing her to sink by the stern within ten minutes in rough seas. The bow remained above the water for about 25 minutes before disappearing. Some of the eight officers and 20 crewmen managed to launch a lifeboat, but due to the state of the seas, none of the men in the boat survived. | ||
* Estimated position shown here is based on positions of losses in a roughly the same German grid code. It may be a bit off but should give a good idea as to where the attack took place.
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