Ships hit by U-boats


Oneida

American Steam merchant



NameOneida
Type:Steam merchant
Tonnage2,309 tons
Completed1920 - Detroit Shipbuilding Co, Wyandotte MI 
OwnerFord Motor Co, Detroit MI 
HomeportDearborn 
Date of attack13 Jul 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-166 (Hans-Günther Kuhlmann)
Position20° 17'N, 74° 06'W - Grid DN 76
Complement29 (6 dead and 23 survivors).
Convoy
RouteSan Juan, Puerto Rico (7 Jul) - Punta Gorda, Cuba 
CargoBallast 
History Built for Independent SS Co, Cleveland OH 1924 sold to Ford Motor Co, Detroit MI. 
Notes on event

At 18.10 hours on 13 July 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Oneida (Master Walter Franklin Deal) was hit by one torpedo from U-166 about two miles north of Cape Maysi, Cuba. The torpedo was seen by a lookout but it was too late to take evasive action and it struck on the starboard side amidships just aft of the engine room. The explosion blew away about 20% of the side and caused the ship to sink within three minutes. The survivors among the eight officers and 21 crewmen abandoned ship on two rafts because there was no time to launch the lifeboats. Two officers and four crewmen were lost, three of them on watch below. The survivors made landfall five miles northwest of Cape Maysi several hours later. They walked to the Cape and were taken in the Cuban schooner Zoila to Baracoa, Cuba, arriving on 13 July.

 
On boardWe have details of 8 people who were on board


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