Atlas
American Steam tanker
Name | Atlas | ||
Type: | Steam tanker | ||
Tonnage | 7,137 tons | ||
Completed | 1916 - Wm Cramp & Sons Ship & Engine Building Co, Philadelphia PA | ||
Owner | Socony-Vacuum Oil Co Inc, New York | ||
Homeport | New York | ||
Date of attack | 9 Apr 1942 | Nationality: American | |
Fate | Sunk by U-552 (Erich Topp) | ||
Position | 34° 27'N, 76° 16'W - Grid DC 1163 | ||
Complement | 34 (2 dead and 32 survivors). | ||
Convoy | |||
Route | Houston (1 Apr) - Seawarren, New Jersey | ||
Cargo | 84.239 barrels of gasoline | ||
History | Built as Sunoil 1927 renamed Atlas | ||
Notes on event | On 9 April 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Atlas (Master Hamilton Gray) steered a non-evasive course off Cape Lookout, but after hearing a diesel engine swung her stern toward the sound. With the moon rising, U-552 fired a torpedo at 2000 metres that struck the starboard side amidships at the #6 tank. The explosion threw up a cloud of smoke and water but did not ignite the cargo. The engines were stopped and the crew of eight officers and 26 men abandoned ship in three lifeboats. | ||
On board | We have details of 4 people who were on board. |
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