Ships hit by U-boats


Santore

American Steam merchant



The wreck of Santore

NameSantore
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage7,117 tons
Completed1918 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Sparrow´s Point MD 
OwnerOre Steamship Corp, New York 
HomeportNew York 
Date of attack17 Jun 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-701 (Horst Degen)
Position36° 52'N, 75° 51'W - Grid CA 73
Complement46 (3 dead and 43 survivors).
ConvoyKS-511
RouteBaltimore - Hampton Roads - Key West - Cristobal - Balboa, Panama 
Cargo11.095 tons of coal 
History  
Notes on event

At 13.48 hours on 17 June 1942 the Santore (Master Eric Nyborg) struck a mine laid on 11 June by U-701 in the Chesapeake Bay. The ship was maneuvering into her position in convoy KS-511 when a explosion occured on the port side and extensively damaged the #1, #2 and #3 side tanks and the #1 and #2 holds. The vessel was quickly flooded, developed a list of 90° to port and sank rapidly. The eight officers, 29 crewmen and nine armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, two .50cal and two .30cal guns) abandoned ship on one raft and by jumping overboard because no lifeboats could be launched due to the sharp list. Three crewmen were lost. The survivors were picked up after 30 minutes by US Coast guard vessels and landed at Little Creek, Virginia.

The wreck of Santore was sold in August 1954 for scrapping.

 
On boardWe have details of 6 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats