The ship sailing alone, was torpedoed in darkness and badly damaged. She began to settle nd, as most of the boats had been damaged by the explosion, the crew was forced to leave in one boat and on rafts. These laid off the ship. Fifteen minutes later, as the ship was still afloat, the Master decided to reboard but before this could be done a second torpedo struck the vessel and she sank immediately. The submarine then surfaced and rammed one of the rafts. The men thrown into the water were picked up by the boat and course was set for the nearest land. Although land was sighted the next morning the weather conditions made it impossible to maintain this course and the Master therefore set course in another direction for land 450 miles away. The boat reached port safely after 6½ days.
The Master displayed courage, leadership and determination of a high order throughout and by his good judgement and seamanship he brought the survivors to safety after a long boat voyage. On several previous occasions Captain Hogg has been torpedoed, bombed or mined, but his indomitable spirit has overcome all difficulties.