At 18.12 hours on 8 May 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Ohioan (Master Frank H. Roberts) was hit on the starboard side aft by one G7e torpedo from U-564, while steaming on a non-evasive course at 14.5 knots about 10 miles off Boynton Beach, Florida. The torpedo struck in the #4 hold and caused the ship to sink by the stern within three minutes, rolling over from starboard to port. The U-boat did not surface to question the survivors due to an aircraft circling overhead. The eight officers and 29 crewmen tried to launch two lifeboats, but the first swamped when it touched the water while the second was cut from its falls but did not float. The suction of the sinking ship caused the majority of the casualties of one officer and 14 crewmen. The survivors rescued themselves on six rafts that had floated free and were rescued by US Coast Guard vessels. They were brought to West Palm Beach, where four had to be hospitalized.