William J. Salman
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | William J. Salman | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 2.616 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - American Shipbuilding Co, Lorain OH | ||
| Owner | Canadian Gulf Lines Inc, Houston TX | ||
| Homeport | Houston | ||
| Date of attack | 18 May, 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-125 (Ulrich Folkers) | ||
| Position | 20.08N, 83.46W - Grid DM 7466 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 28 (6 dead and 22 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New Orleans - Antigua | ||
| Cargo | 2730 tons of building material | ||
| History | Built as Lake Felden for the US Shipping Board, Washington DC. 1924 sold to Philadelphia & Norfolk Steamship Co, Wilmington DE and renamed Elizabeth River. 1940 renamed William J. Salman for Canadian Gulf Line, Houston TX. | ||
| Notes on loss | At 21.50 hours on 18 May, 1942, the unescorted and unarmed William J. Salman (Master Charles D. Bryant) was hit on the starboard side aft by the last torpedo from U-125 about 125 miles south of Cape Frances, Cuba. The torpedo struck in #3 hold and broke the ship in two, causing her to sink by the stern within two minutes. The eight officers and 20 crewmen were not able to launch a lifeboat, so they had to jump overboard and clung to two overturned boats that floated free. The master, one officer and four crewmen were lost. The survivors later righted the boats and set sail for the Cuban coast. They were picked up after 20 hours by the Latvian steam merchant Kegums and landed at Key West, Florida. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.