At 18.12 hours on 8 May, 1942, the unescorted and unarmed Ohioan (Master Frank H. Roberts) was torpedoed by U-564 about 10 miles off Boynton Beach, Florida, while steaming on a nonevasive course at 14.5 knots. One torpedo struck on the starboard side at the #4 hold and caused the ship to sink by the stern within three minutes, rolling over from starboard to port. The eight officers and 29 crewmen tried to launch two lifeboats, but the first swamped when it touched the water while the second was cut from its falls but did not float. The suction of the sinking ship caused the majority of the casualties of one officer and 14 crewmen. The survivors rescued themselves on six rafts that had floated free and were rescued by US Coast Guard. They were brought to West Palm Beach, where four had to be hospitalized.