Ships hit by U-boats


USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)

American Troop transport



USS Tasker H. Bliss in the Norfolk Navy Yard on 8 Oct, 1942. US Naval Historical Center Photograph #19-N-35834

NameUSS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)
Type:Troop transport
Tonnage12,568 tons
Completed1921 - Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Newport News VA 
OwnerUnited States Navy 
Homeport 
Date of attack12 Nov 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-130 (Ernst Kals)
Position33° 40'N, 7° 35'W - Grid DJ 2524
Complement235 (31 dead and 204 survivors).
ConvoyUGF-1
RouteNorfolk (24 Oct) - Fedhala, Morocco (8 Nov) 
CargoWar material and troops 
History Completed in January 1921 as steam passenger ship Golden State for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1923 renamed President Cleveland for the Dollar SS Co, later transferred to the American President Lines Ltd, San Francisco CA. In July 1941 chartered by the US Army as troop transport USAT Tasker H. Bliss and made five Pacific voyages. On 15 September 1942 the ship was commissioned in the US Navy as troop transport USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) after being converted by the Maryland Drydock Co, Baltimore MD. She received one battle star for her World War 2 service. 
Notes on event

USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) (Cdr Gerald C. Schetky) was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of convoy UGF-1.
At 18.28 hours on 12 Nov 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)) at anchor in the heavily guarded Fedhala Roads. All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. USS Tasker H. Bliss burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. U-130 reported her victims by their former civilian names.

 
On boardWe have details of 42 people who were on board


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