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Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53
Posted by: R.Carlisle ()
Date: October 03, 2008 06:05PM

Robert
Regarding crew list of the Housatonic, freighter sunk by U-53
I checked the "Shipping and Mail" news in the NYTimes. The Philadelphia, with the survivors (except the captain, who came earlier) arrived in NYCity from Liverpool via San Juan on March 1, 1917. All the crew, I believe, of the ship were aboard the Philadelphia. Checking Ellis Island records should (I think) show you the names of those arriving and their citizenship on March 1, 1917. Ellis Island records can be accessed via the web. You may be able to check to see if your ancestor was among those of the crew of the Housatonic in that fashion.

This was a very different ship from the minetender you also mention. The full story of the rescue of the crew of the freighter Housatonic was in the NYTimes Feb 4, featuring the gentlemanly actions of U-boat commander Hans Rose in towing the lifeboats with the crew towards shore. Very interesting tale. However, if you have definite info that your ancestor was aboard the OTHER Housatonic, it is probably only a mistaken family legend that he was aboard the freighter sunk on Feb 3. Over time, such stories get confused and mixed up very easily.

Rodney

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Subject Written By Posted
Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 Robert Labelle 05/01/2005 03:40AM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 Brian 05/02/2005 02:35PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 julius pergolini 04/24/2008 10:50PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 R.Carlisle 10/02/2008 05:10PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 R.Carlisle 10/03/2008 06:05PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 R.Labelle 09/09/2009 10:11PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 Ron Young 09/10/2009 04:54PM
Re: Crew list for Housatonic, sunk by U-53 Ron Young 09/10/2009 05:27PM


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