Ships hit by U-boats


R.W. Gallagher

American Steam tanker


We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.


NameR.W. Gallagher
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage7,989 tons
Completed1938 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Sparrow´s Point MD 
OwnerStandard Oil Co of New Jersey, New York 
HomeportWilmington 
Date of attack13 Jul 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-67 (Günther Müller-Stöckheim)
Position28° 50'N, 91° 05'W - Grid DA 9198
Complement52 (11 dead and 41 survivors).
Convoy
RouteBaytown, Texas (10 Jul) - Port Everglades, Florida 
Cargo80,855 barrels of Bunker C fuel oil 
History Completed in August 1938 
Notes on event

At 07.35 hours on 13 July 1942 the unescorted R.W. Gallagher (Master Aage Petersen) was hit on the starboard side by two torpedoes from U-67 about 80 miles from Southwest Pass, Mississippi. The first torpedo struck at the #3 tank just forward of amidships and the second hit abaft the midships house between the #8 tank and the pump room. The explosions buckled parts of the ship and started a fire that quickly spread the length of the vessel and into the water. The tanker immediately took a 30° list to starboard, capsized at 09.00 hours and sank at 11.30 hours. With the steam whistle jammed, the eight officers, 32 crewmen and twelve armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in, two .50cal and two .30cal guns) abandoned ship in one lifeboat, one raft and by jumping into the water because the fire had destroyed the other boats and rafts. The master was the last man that jumped overboard after he waited for 40 minutes on the bow. Three officers, four crewmen and two armed guards were lost. The survivors were picked up within one hour by USCGC Boutwell (WPC 130) and three of the most seriously wounded were taken by a US Coast Guard plane from Biloxi Air Station to Lake Pontchatrain, transferred to the US Coast Guard boat USCGC CG-6264 and taken to the Marine hospital in New Orleans. Two crewmen died ashore from severe burns after reaching the hospital.

 
On boardWe have details of 15 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats