Munger T. Ball
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| Name | Munger T. Ball | ||
| Type: | Steam tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 5.104 tons | ||
| Completed | 1920 - Terry Shipbuilding Co, Savannah GA | ||
| Owner | Sabine Transportation Co Inc, Port Arthur TX | ||
| Homeport | Baltimore | ||
| Date of attack | 5 May, 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-507 (Harro Schacht) | ||
| Position | 25.17N, 83.57W - Grid DM 1467 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 34 (30 dead and 4 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | Port Arthur, Texas (1 May) - Norfolk, Virginia | ||
| Cargo | 65.000 barrels of gasoline | ||
| History | Built as Lilmae, 1927 renamed Chilsco, 1935 renamed Munger T. Ball | ||
| Notes on loss | At 01.32 hours on 5 May, 1942, the unescorted and unarmed Munger T. Ball (Master Karl Ragnar Olsen) was hit by one torpedo from U-507 about 80 miles northwest of Dry Tortugas Island, while steaming on a nonevasive course at 10 knots. The torpedo struck on the port side amidships, followed by a second torpedo 30 seconds farther aft near the engine room. The tanker burst into flames after the first hit and prevented the launching of lifeboats. Only four crewmen of the eight officers and 26 crewmen on board managed to abandon the ship by jumping overboard and swimming away before burning gasoline spread on the water, trapping many men on the tanker. The burning tanker sank about 15 minutes after the second hit. The four survivors swam to a life raft, were picked up about four hours later by the Katy and landed at Key West, Florida. | ||
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