Hermis
Panamanian Steam merchant
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| Name | Hermis | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5,234 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - Fratelli Orlando & Co, Leghorn | ||
| Owner | Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA | ||
| Homeport | Panama | ||
| Date of attack | 7 Jun 1942 | Nationality:  Panamanian | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-158 (Erwin Rostin) | ||
| Position | 23° 08'N, 84° 42'W - Grid DM 4174 | ||
| Complement | 47 (1 dead and 46 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New Orleans - Tampa - Panama - La Guaira, Venezuela - Aruba | ||
| Cargo | 4995 tons general cargo | ||
| History | Completed in 1919 as Italian Ada O. for Navigazione Alta Italia SA, Genoa. On 1 Nov 1941, seized at New Orleans by the US government, renamed Hermis by the US War Shipping Administration and registered in Panama. On 12 May 1942, assigned to Lykes Bros SS Co Inc under GAA agreement. | ||
| Notes on event | On 7 June 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Hermis (Master Thomas Stanborough) was torpedoed by U-158. One torpedo struck on the port side just forward of the bridge, a few minutes later a second torpedo hit on the port side at #3 hatch. The vessel continued circling at 8 knots because the engines could not be stopped due to the deck valve being broken. The U-boat surfaced and shelled the ship, setting her on fire. One round hit and destroyed the wheelhouse and chart room. The burning Hermis was observed still afloat 12 hours later with the stern out of the water, but apparently sank shortly afterwards. The survivors, 12 of them injured, were picked up by the US Army transport Toloa in the course of the day and taken to Kingston, Jamaica. | ||
| On board | We have details of 2 people who were on board. | ||
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