Re: Photo of SURCOUF in Bermuda before 2/12/42
Posted by:
jcrt
()
Date: January 28, 2013 12:52PM
Hi johann, I was wondering what FACTS are known of the surcoufs last patrol. All I have is she sailed on 14.02.42 from Bermuda for the Panama canal, where she was to re-supply for operations in the Pacific. That she was in poor condition, only able to manage 10kts surfaced and 8.5kts submerged and slow to dive. There was no messages from her, and was reported missing when she became over due. The collision by the SS Thompson Lykes seems to be the prefered cause of her demise, however when looking at her damaged bow, when compared to other ships that had rammed smaller submarines [U-boats], a glancing blow or hitting the conning tower would seem to be the most that she did. Now if it was the conning tower damaged, then the radio transmitter may have been wrecked as to explain no distress message. The suggestion of her being deliberately mined before she sailed, I would have thought very doubtful seeing RN personell were on board. According to wikipaedia if she had been damaged at this time, that the C/O decided to try for Panama, then the later attack by the 6th Bomber group on a submarine, [not a U-boat], may have been on Surcouf. Wikipaedia go on stating her wreck would be at 10:40N/79:32W in 9,800 ft. Have you or anyone else any other data on this mystery? john