Halo
American Steam tanker
Name | Halo | ||
Type: | Steam tanker | ||
Tonnage | 6,986 tons | ||
Completed | 1920 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Alameda CA | ||
Owner | Cities Service Oil Co, New York | ||
Homeport | New York | ||
Date of attack | 20 May 1942 | Nationality: American | |
Fate | Sunk by U-506 (Erich Würdemann) | ||
Position | 28° 42'N, 90° 08'W - Grid DA 9553 | ||
Complement | 42 (39 dead and 3 survivors). | ||
Convoy | |||
Route | Tampico, Mexico - Galveston (19 May) - New Orleans | ||
Cargo | 64.103 barrels of crude oil | ||
History | Completed in August 1920 It is assumed that the Halo was shelled and damaged by U-130 (Kals) on 27 Jan 1942, but this can not be confirmed from the KTB. Unconfirmed is also another attack by an unknown U-boat on 11 or 27 Mar 1942. | ||
Notes on event | At 07.58 hours on 20 May 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Halo (Master Ulrich Fred Moller) was hit by two torpedoes from U-506 about 50 miles from the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River, while proceeding on a rapidly changing zigzag pattern at 10.4 knots. The first torpedo struck on the starboard side under the bridge and completely destroyed this part of the ship. The second hit aft of the bridge but forward of the engine room. The second explosion broke the ship in two and ignited the cargo. The tanker plunged bow first with her propeller still turning and sank within three minutes. 23 men of the crew of eight officers and 34 men managed to leave the ship, but only one raft was left, the four lifeboats and three other rafts were destroyed by the explosions and fire. The survivors huddled together clinging to wreckage in the water near the sunken ship throughout the night and the next day. The oil on the surface burned for six hours. Two men cling to a half-burned raft and stayed on it for seven days without food or water. They were then picked up by Otina and taken to New Orleans. | ||
On board | We have details of 38 people who were on board. |
Attack entries for Halo
Date | U-boat | Commander | Loss type | Tons | Nat. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
27 Jan 1942 | U-130 | KrvKpt. Ernst Kals | Damaged | 6,986 | |
20 May 1942 | U-506 | Kptlt. Erich Würdemann | Sunk | 6,986 |
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