John R. Williams
American Steam tug
| Name | John R. Williams | ||
| Type: | Steam tug | ||
| Tonnage | 396 tons | ||
| Completed | 1913 - Staten Island Shipbuilding Co, Richmond NY | ||
| Owner | Moran Towing & Transportation Co, New York | ||
| Homeport | New York | ||
| Date of attack | 24 Jun 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-373 (Paul-Karl Loeser) | ||
| Position | 38° 45'N, 74° 50'W - Grid CA 5447 | ||
| Complement | 18 (14 dead and 4 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Delaware Capes - Cape May, New Jersey | ||
| Cargo | None | ||
| History | Completed in October 1913 as W.B. Keene for Hilton-Dodge Lumber Co, Wilmington, DE. 1928 renamed John R. Williams for Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Co, New York. | ||
| Notes on event | At 20.05 hours on 24 June 1942 the unarmed John R. Williams (Master Leroy Herbert Allen) struck a mine laid on 11 June by U-373 off Cape May and sank. Four hours earlier the ocean tug had been ordered to proceed to Fenwick Island Shoals to tow a French ship into the Delaware River, but at 18.40 hours the ship was found heading for the river under her own power, so the tug returned to the Cape May Naval Air Station, where she was stationed for rescue and salvage. The mine struck on the port side just forward of amidships and the explosion sank the vessel instantly. Only the chief engineer, the second assistant and two deckhands survived because they were blown overboard by the explosion. The survivors were picked up after about one hour by the American patrol vessel USS YP-334 and taken to Lewes, Delaware and thence to Beebe Memorial Hospital. The remaining four officers and ten crew men were lost. | ||
| On board | We have details of 18 people who were on board. | ||
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