Rochester
American Steam tanker
Name | Rochester | ||
Type: | Steam tanker | ||
Tonnage | 6,836 tons | ||
Completed | 1920 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Sparrow´s Point MD | ||
Owner | Socony-Vacuum Oil Co Inc, New York | ||
Homeport | New York | ||
Date of attack | 30 Jan 1942 | Nationality: American | |
Fate | Sunk by U-106 (Hermann Rasch) | ||
Position | 37° 10'N, 73° 58'W - Grid CA 8241 | ||
Complement | 35 (4 dead and 31 survivors). | ||
Convoy | |||
Route | New York - Corpus Christi, Texas | ||
Cargo | Ballast | ||
History | | ||
Notes on event | At 18.05 hours on 30 Jan 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Rochester (Master Alden S. Clark) was hit by one stern torpedo from U-106 while steaming on a zigzag course at 10.4 knots about 85 miles east of the Chesapeake Lightship. One torpedo struck aft in the engine room, killed one officer and two crewmen on watch below, destroyed the engines and communications and damaged the rudder and propeller. The survivors among the eight officers and 27 crewmen abandoned ship in two lifeboats when the U-boat surfaced nearby. The Germans waited until both boats were clear of the tanker to finish her off with the deck gun, but it jammed after firing eight rounds from about 500 yards. At 18.38 hours, a coup de grâce was fired that hit amidships on the starboard side. The tanker immediately developed a list to starboard and sank after one hour. | ||
On board | We have details of 5 people who were on board. |
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