T.J. Williams
British Steam tanker
T.J. Williams under construction. Photo courtesy of Richard Reddick
| Name | T.J. Williams | ||
| Type: | Steam tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 8,212 tons | ||
| Completed | 1921 - O. Daniels Shipbuilding Co, Tampa FL | ||
| Owner | Panama Transport Co (Anglo-American Oil Co), London | ||
| Homeport | London | ||
| Date of attack | 20 Sep 1941 | Nationality:  British | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-552 (Erich Topp) | ||
| Position | 61° 34'N, 35° 11'W - Grid AD 7583 | ||
| Complement | 39 (17 dead and 22 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | SC-44 | ||
| Route | Baltimore - Sydney (11 Sep) - Stanlow | ||
| Cargo | 10,036 tons of motor spirit | ||
| History | Completed in September 1921 as American T.J. Williams for Standard Oil Co of New Jersey, New York. 1941 registered in Britain for Panama Transport Co (Anglo-American Oil Co), London. | ||
| Notes on event | At 01.38 hours on 20 Sep 1941, U-552 fired the stern torpedo at a ship in convoy SC-44 east-northeast of Cape Farewell and missed the intended target but the torpedo struck the T.J. Williams (Master Robert Thomas Charles Wright) in station #102 after 2 minutes 2 seconds. The tanker sank fast by the stern after being hit. 15 crew members and two gunners were lost. The master, 20 crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMS Honeysuckle (K 27) (LtCdr G.W. Gregorie, RNR) and landed at Reykjavik, Iceland. | ||
| On board | We have details of 18 people who were on board. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.