Dear All,

In March last year I posed a question on the Forum asking if anyone knew the details of U-505’s War Bond Tours in 1945.

Since then I have continued my research and, with a lot of assistance from a variety of sources and kind people, I have been able to establish the definitive story which, up to now, has not been recorded on any website, in any book, or even in the records at the Chicago MSI.

U-505 took part in 2 separate War Bond Tours. The first between May and July 1945, and the second (which was in 2 parts) between August 1945 and January 1946.

Full details (dates and places) are set out below.

There are still two missing details concerning the 1st Tour. They are the name of the pier in Washington from 23 to 28 June 1945, and the exact date on which U-505 arrived back in New London in July 1945. So, if anyone knows the answers, I should be grateful if you would please share them with me.

Finally, I hope that readers will find this information interesting and useful, and I am grateful for all the assistance that you have provided.

Yours aye

Derek

U-505’s First War Bond Tour

The Patrol Craft Escort USS PCE-846 escorted U-505 on the initial part of its first War Bond tour. The tour started in Philadelphia and then went to New York, Boston, Baltimore, Washington and Norfolk. The detailed itinerary was as follows:

a. Philadelphia (Pier 19, Municipal Docks) from 23 to 27 May

b. New York (Pier A, The Battery) from 28 May to 5 June

c. Boston (Central Wharf, Atlantic Avenue) from 7 to 13 June

d. Baltimore (Pier 4, Pratt St) from 16 to 21 June

e. Washington from 23 to 28 June

f. Norfolk (Merchants and Miners Pier) from 30 June to 4 July

g. U-505 then returned to New London

U-505s Second War Bond Tour

On 1 August the Destroyer Escort USS Neunzer (DE-150) sailed to New London to
escort U-505 on it's second (2-Part) War Bond tour.

Part 1 of the tour started from New London on 2 August, and U-505 made its first stop at New York, staying there for a month. It then went to New Haven, New London, Portland, Portsmouth and New Bedford before returning to New London on 1 October. The detailed itinerary was as follows:

a. 2 Aug Departed New London, CT

b. 2 Aug - 3 Sep New York (Pier 88)

c. 3 Sep - 10 Sep New Haven, CT (Bell Pier)

d. 10 Sep - 11 Sep New London, CT (State Pier)

e. 12 Sep - 18 Sep Portland, ME, (Grant Trunk Pier, US Naval Station)

f. 18 Sep - 24 Sep Portsmouth, NH (Navy Yard)

g. 24 Sep - 1 Oct New Bedford, MA (State Pier)

h. 1 Oct - 8 Oct New London, CT (Municipal Pier).

Part 2 of the tour started on 8 October 1945 in New London, and U-505 then travelled down the east coast to Key West, before visiting the Gulf ports of Tampa, Pensacola,New Orleans and Mobile. It returned via Key West, and arrived at the Boston Navy Yard on 12 January 1946:

a. 8 Oct Departed New London, CT

b. 9 Oct - 14 Oct Annapolis MD, (for US Naval Academy Centennial Celebrations)

c. 14 Oct - 18 Oct Wilmington, DE (Terminal Dock)

d. 19 Oct - 30 Oct Portsmouth, VA (Coast Guard Dock)

e. 31 Oct - 7 Nov Charleston, SC (Clyde Mallory Lines, Pier 3)

f. 7 Nov - 13 Nov Savannah, GA (Gordon’s Wharf)

g. 13 Nov - 21 Nov Jacksonville, FL (Gibbs Gasoline Repair Dock)

h. 22 Nov - 30 Nov Miami, FL (Pier 3, US Navy Supply Pier)

i. 30 Nov - 5 Dec Key West, FL (Clyde Mallory Dock)

j. 6 Dec - 12 Dec Tampa, FL (Clyde Mallory Dock)

k. 13 Dec - 18 Dec Pensacola, FL (Commandanica Dock)

l. 19 Dec - 27 Dec New Orleans, LA (Bienville Street Wharf)

m. 28 Dec - 1 Jan 46 Mobile, AL (L&N Railroad Dock)

n. 3 Jan - 8 Jan Key West, FL (Pier

o. 8 Jan Departed Key West for New London, CT

p. 9 Jan Destination changed (by CNO) to Boston, MA

q. 12 Jan Arrived Boston Navy Yard, MA