Louise Lykes
American Steam merchant
Photo courtesy of SSHSA Collection, University of Baltimore Library
| Name | Louise Lykes | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant (C-2) | ||
| Tonnage | 6,155 tons | ||
| Completed | 1941 - Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Kearny NJ | ||
| Owner | Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA | ||
| Homeport | New Orleans | ||
| Date of attack | 9 Jan 1943 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-384 (Hans-Achim von Rosenberg-Gruszczynski) | ||
| Position | 56° 15'N, 22° 00'W - Grid AL 0149 | ||
| Complement | 85 (85 dead - no survivors) | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York - Belfast | ||
| Cargo | War supplies and ammunition | ||
| History | Completed in October 1941 | ||
| Notes on event | At 20.25 hours on 9 January 1943 the unescorted Louise Lykes (Master Edwin John Madden) was hit by two of four torpedoes fired by U-384 from a distance of 1800 meters, while proceeding on a zigzag course at 15 knots. The ship exploded with a terrible blast, forcing the U-boat to crash dive because debris was falling onto the deck and into the water around her. When the U-boat resurfaced after five minutes, the ship had disappeared. The master, nine officers, 41 crewmen and 34 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, two 3in and eight 20mm guns) were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 85 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.