Ships hit by U-boats


Millinocket

American Steam merchant


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


NameMillinocket
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage3,274 tons
Completed1910 - Maryland Steel Co, Sparrow´s Point MD 
OwnerA.H. Bull & Co Inc, New York 
HomeportNew York 
Date of attack17 Jun 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-129 (Hans-Ludwig Witt)
Position23° 12'N, 79° 58'W - Grid DM 5375
Complement35 (11 dead and 24 survivors).
Convoy
RouteGeorgetown, British Guiana - St.Thomas, Virgin Islands - Mobile 
Cargo4300 tons of bauxite ore 
History  
Notes on event

At 23.03 hours on 17 June 1942 the unescorted Millinocket (Master Lewis Wesley Callis) was hit by one torpedo from U-129, while steaming on a nonevasive course at 9 knots off La Isabela, Cuba. The torpedo struck between the #4 and #5 holds above 12 feet below the waterline. The explosion opened a large hole in the hull, blew some men overboard and killed the chief gunner. The ship sank rapidly on even keel within three minutes. No distress signals were sent and the guns were never manned (the ship was armed with one 6pdr and two .30cal guns).
Only one lifeboat and two rafts were launched, while some men had to jump into the water to escape. Witt questioned the second assistant engineer about the name of the ship, tonnage, cargo, origin and destination. He also gave them a first aid kit for the wounded men when he was asked by the engineer for one.
The master, three officers, five crewmen and two armed guards of the seven officers, 22 crewmen and six armed guards on board were lost, most of them by drowning. The survivors were picked up by a Cuban motor boat and two Cuban fishing boats about 13 hours later and landed at La Isabela and taken to Sagua La Grande, where the eight injured were treated at the hospital.

 
On boardWe have details of 10 people who were on board


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