Ships hit by U-boats


Chapultepec

American Turbine tanker



Photo courtesy of the Mariners Museum, Newport News VA

NameChapultepec
Type:Turbine tanker (T-2)
Tonnage10,195 tons
Completed1943 - Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Chester PA 
OwnerBarber Asphalt Co, New York 
HomeportPhiladelphia 
Date of attack26 Dec 1943Nationality:      American
 
FateDamaged by U-530 (Kurt Lange)
Position10° 30'N, 78° 58'W - Grid EB 97
Complement81 (0 dead and 81 survivors).
Convoy
RouteAruba (24 Dec) - Cristobal 
Cargo101.176 barrels of Bunker C fuel oil 
History Completed in May 1943 for US Maritime Commission

Post-war:
1947 renamed Samuel C. Loveland for Flanigan Loveland. 1951 renamed Luckstar for C.M. Lemos & Co. 1960 converted to the bulk carrier Falcon (13548 grt) for the same owner and 1965 renamed Phalcon. 1976 converted to the cement storage ship Al Sayb for Duarf International. Deleted from Lloyds register in the 1980s.

 
Notes on event

At 07.25 hours on 26 Dec 1943 the unescorted Chapultepec (Master Allen L. Remick Jr.) was spotted in hazy weather by U-530 about 90 miles northeast of Cristobal. The torpedo fired was noticed by the tankerĀ“s acoustic torpedo detector but seconds later struck just abaft the stem. The explosion destroyed the forepeak tank and damaged nearby compartments. The ship immediately began a series of short zigzags at full speed and then returned to normal pattern after ten minutes. The tanker settled by the head, but the cargo was shifted until the vessel was on even keel. On the afternoon of the 26 December, the tanker arrived at Cristobal and discharged her cargo the next day. Two men of the ten officers, 43 men and 28 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) on board reported injuries. The Chapultepec later steamed to Galveston for dry docking and repairs.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


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