Ships hit by U-boats


Leslie

American Steam merchant


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


NameLeslie
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage2,609 tons
Completed1919 - McDougall-Duluth Shipbuilding Co, Duluth MN 
OwnerWorth Steamship Co, New York 
HomeportNew York 
Date of attack13 Apr 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-123 (Reinhard Hardegen)
Position28° 35'N, 80° 19'W - Grid DB 9189
Complement32 (4 dead and 28 survivors).
Convoy
RouteAntilla, Cuba - Havana - New York 
Cargo3225 tons of raw sugar 
History Completed in October 1919 as Lake Flagstaff for US Shipping Board (USSB). 1926 renamed Stella Lykes for Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA. 1940 renamed Josephine for Cia Centro Americana de Navegacion Ltda, Panama. 1941 renamed Leslie for Worth Steamship Co, New York. 
Notes on event

At 05.11 hours on 13 April 1942 the unescorted Leslie (Master Albert Eriksson) was hit by the last torpedo from U-123 about three miles southeast of the Hetzel Shoals Gas Buoy. The torpedo struck on the starboard side abaft of amidships at the #3 hold. The explosion blew open the bulkheads, disabled the radio, ruptured tanks and flooded the shaft alley with sugar and water. The ship was stopped as she began listing heavily to starboard and then settled by the stern, leaving the deck awash in 15 minutes. The most of the nine officers, 22 crewmen (the ship was armed with two .30cal guns) and one consular passenger abandoned ship in two lifeboats and landed north of the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse the next day. Another survivor was picked up by the American tanker Esso Bayonne and landed at Key West on 14 April. Four crew members were lost.

The Leslie sank in shallow waters, but was not raised until August 1954 when the wreck was broken up.

 
On boardWe have details of 5 people who were on board


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