Ships hit by U-boats


Virginia Sinclair

American Steam tanker



NameVirginia Sinclair
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage6,151 tons
Completed1930 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Quincy MA 
OwnerSinclair Refining Co, New York 
HomeportWilmington 
Date of attack10 Mar 1943Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-185 (August Maus)
Position20° 11'N, 74° 04'W - Grid DN 7636
Complement44 (7 dead and 37 survivors).
ConvoyKG-123
RouteBaytown, Texas - Key West - Cristobal 
Cargo66.211 barrels of aviation gasoline 
History  
Notes on event

At 05.37 hours on 10 March 1943 the Virginia Sinclair (Master Fred Charles Vosloh) in convoy KG-123 was hit on the starboard side in the stern by one torpedo from U-185 off Cape Maysi, Cuba. The explosion stopped the engines, disabled the steering gear and killed one officer and two men on watch below. At 05.54 hours, the tanker was hit by a coup de grĂ¢ce and was last seen by the crew almost vertical with about 15 feet of the bow above water at 06.15 hours. Four crewmen were lost. She was scuttled with gunfire by an escort about 45 minutes later. Eight officers, 23 crewmen, four armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in and two .30cal guns) and two naval signalmen abandoned ship in three lifeboats and one raft as the ship settled fast by the stern. A few hours later the survivors were picked up by USS SC-742 and landed at 14.00 hours in Guantanamo Bay where four were hospitalized for injuries.

 
On boardWe have details of 44 people who were on board


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