At 20.25 hours on 5 Feb 1945 the Henry B. Plant (Master Charles James Ward) as last ship in the starboard column of convoy TAM-71 was torpedoed by U-245 about 17 miles east of Ramsgate. The lookouts had spotted the U-boat 300 yards off the starboard side, but it was too late to evade the torpedo which struck at the #4 hold. The explosion ruptured the main deck, severed steam lines, blasted the hatches and beams overboard and probably set off the after magazines. The engines were secured as the vessel rapidly sank, sinking stern first within five minutes. Most of the eight officers, 33 crew members, 28 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) and one passenger (an Army security officer) had to jump overboard, they only managed to launch one lifeboat and four rafts. The survivors were picked up by HMS Hazard (N 02) and HMS Sir Lancelot (T 228) and landed in England. One officer, eight crew members and seven armed guards drowned.

On 5 Jan 1945 the Henry B. Plant had left New York in convoy HX-331 on her maiden voyage for Liverpool, arriving on 22 January.