Ships hit by U-boats


Louise Lykes

American Steam merchant



Photo courtesy of SSHSA Collection, University of Baltimore Library

NameLouise Lykes
Type:Steam merchant (C-2)
Tonnage6,155 tons
Completed1941 - Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Kearny NJ 
OwnerLykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA 
HomeportNew Orleans 
Date of attack9 Jan 1943Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-384 (Hans-Achim von Rosenberg-Gruszczynski)
Position56° 15'N, 22° 00'W - Grid AL 0149
Complement85 (85 dead - no survivors)
Convoy
RouteNew York - Belfast 
CargoWar supplies and ammunition 
History Completed in October 1941 
Notes on event

At 20.25 hours on 9 January 1943 the unescorted Louise Lykes (Master Edwin John Madden) was hit by two of four torpedoes fired by U-384 from a distance of 1800 meters, while proceeding on a zigzag course at 15 knots. The ship exploded with a terrible blast, forcing the U-boat to crash dive because debris was falling onto the deck and into the water around her. When the U-boat resurfaced after five minutes, the ship had disappeared. The master, nine officers, 41 crewmen and 34 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, two 3in and eight 20mm guns) were lost.

 
On boardWe have details of 85 people who were on board


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