Azalea City
Photo courtesy of the Mariners Museum, Newport News VA
| Name | Azalea City | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5,529 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - Merchant Shipbuilding Corp, Harriman PA | ||
| Owner | Waterman Steamship Co, Mobile AL | ||
| Homeport | Mobile | ||
| Date of attack | 21 Feb 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-432 (Heinz-Otto Schultze) | ||
| Position | 38.00N, 73.00W - Grid CA 5867 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 38 (38 dead - no survivors) | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Bahia Blanca, Argentina - Port of Spain (12 Feb) - Philadelphia | ||
| Cargo | 7806 tons of linseed | ||
| History | Completed in June 1920 as Waterbury for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1929 renamed Excelsior for American Export Lines Inc, New York. 1937 renamed Azalea City for Waterman Steamship Co, Mobile AL. | ||
| Notes on loss | On 12 Feb, 1942, the unarmed Azalea City (Master George Robert Self) left Port of Spain, Trinidad for Philadelphia unescorted and was reported missing after 16 February. On 21 February, U-432 spotted a steamer of 5000 grt in heavy seas about 125 miles east-southeast of Ocean City, Maryland. A first torpedo missed and the U-boat then crossed behind the steamer to the port side. At 01.23 hours a second torpedo was fired at 800 meters, which hit the freighter amidships. At 02.42 hours a third torpedo struck forward of the bridge. It is assumed that this ship was the Azalea City and that the nature of the cargo caused the ship to capsize after the torpedo hits. None of the eight officers and 30 men on board survived. | ||
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