Allied Ships hit by U-boats


Louise Lykes

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NameLouise Lykes
Type:Steam merchant
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-Gruszcynski)
Position56.15N, 22W - Grid AL 0149
- See location on a map -
Complement83 (83 dead - no survivors)
Convoy
RouteNew York - Belfast 
CargoWar supplies and ammunition 
History  
Notes on loss At 20.25 hours on 9 Jan, 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 zigzagging 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. As the U-boat resurfaced after five minutes, the ship had disappeared. The ten officers, 41 crewmen and 32 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, two 3in and eight 20mm guns) all perished. 


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