At 22.24 hours on 7 June 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Edith (Master Samuel M. Houston) was hit by one stern torpedo from U-159 about 200 miles southeast of Jamaica, as she was proceeding on a zigzag course at 10.9 knots. The torpedo struck the starboard side about 15 feet below the main deck between the #4 hold and the engine room, causing the ship to sink after twelve minutes. All but the radio operator and one oiler of the eight officers and 23 men abandoned ship in one lifeboat and two rafts. The U-boat surfaced and questioned the survivors, gave them directions to land and before leaving picked up floating case goods, containing salami, shirts, towels, clocks and toys. The most survivors transferred later into the boat and seven remained on a single raft. They arrived at Black River, Jamaica almost seven days later.