Ships hit by U-boats


USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)

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NameUSS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)
Type:Troop transport
Tonnage12,568 tons
Completed1921 - Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Newport News VA 
OwnerUnited States Navy 
Homeport 
Date of attack12 Nov 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-130 (Ernst Kals)
Position33.40N, 07.35W - Grid DJ 2524
- See location on a map -
Complement235 (? dead and ? survivors).
ConvoyUGF-1
RouteNorfolk (24 Oct) - Fedhala, Marocco (8 Nov) 
CargoWar material and troops 
History Built as steam passenger ship Golden State, 1922 renamed President Cleveland for the American President Lines Ltd, Sand Francisco CA. In July 1941 taken over by the US Army, converted to a troop transporter and renamed Tasker H. Bliss (made 5 Pacific voyages). On 19 Aug, 1942, the ship was taken over by the US Navy. 
Notes on loss

The USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) (Capt Gerald C. Schetky) was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of the convoy UGF-1.
At 18.28 hours on 12 Nov, 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)) at anchor in the heavily guarded Fedhala Roads. All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. The USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. U-130 reported her victims by their former civilian names.

This ship received one battle star for her World War 2 service.

 


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