Ships hit by U-boats


George Thatcher

American Steam merchant


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NameGeorge Thatcher
Type:Steam merchant (Liberty)
Tonnage7,176 tons
Completed1942 - California Shipbuilding Corp, Los Angeles CA 
OwnerMoore-McCormack SS Co, New York 
HomeportLos Angeles 
Date of attack1 Nov 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-126 (Ernst Bauer)
Position1° 45'S, 7° 40'E - Grid FH 5578
Complement66 (18 dead and 48 survivors).
Convoy
RouteCharleston (13 Sep) - Freetown - Takoradi - Point Noire, French Equatorial Africa 
Cargo4005 tons Army ambulances, trucks, gasoline in drums and road building equipment 
History Completed July 1942 
Notes on event

At 20.04 hours on 1 Nov 1942 the George Thatcher (Master Henry Olin Billings) on her maiden voyage was torpedoed by U-126 about 100 miles off the west coast of Africa, while proceeding under escort by two Free French corvettes at 8.2 knots. Already on 29 October, U-126 had attacked the small convoy and several torpedo tracks were seen by the escorts, but no action was taken by them. The torpedo struck on the starboard side between #2 and #3 hatches. One minute later, a second torpedo hit at the #4 hatch, setting fire to the cargo of gasoline, destroying one lifeboat and blowing the rafts overboard. The freighter, still under way, took a sharp list to starboard and began to settle by the head as she traveled in circles. She later rigthed herself, facilitating the launching of the remaining three lifeboats by the eight officers, 31 crewmen, 15 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, one 3in and and four 20mm guns) and 12 US Army passengers on board about 30 minutes after the attack. The master, the chief mate, three crewmen, five armed guards (including the officer) and eight passengers were lost. The survivors were picked up by the corvettes and landed in Point Noire on 3 November. The Liberty ship continued burning but did not sink until 3 November at 09.00 hours.

 
On boardWe have details of 12 people who were on board


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