At 11.42 hours on 28 May 1942 the unescorted New Jersey (Master Trygue Lehland) was hit by one torpedo from U-103 about 90 miles southwest of Grand Cayman Island, after the U-boat had missed her with a first torpedo at 07.59 hours. The torpedo struck on the port side behind the bridge at the #5 and #6 tank. The engines were secured and the eight officers, 29 crewmen and five armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in and two .30cal guns) abandoned ship in two lifeboats. At 12.05 hours, a coup de grâce was fired, which struck at the #8 tank. When the ship stayed afloat the U-boat surfaced and fired 25 rounds into the waterline. The after housing of the tanker caught fire and the ship sank by the stern at 12.55 hours.
23 crew members and three armed guards were picked up after 33 hours by USS Tattnall (DD 125) and landed at Kingston, Jamaica on 30 May. 13 crew members and two armed guards were picked up by USS Biddle (DD 151) on 1 June.