Hermis
We don't have a picture of this vessel at this time.
| Name | Hermis | ||
| Type: | Steam merchant | ||
| Tonnage | 5.234 tons | ||
| Completed | 1919 - Fratelli Orlando & Co, Leghorn | ||
| Owner | Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA | ||
| Homeport | Panama | ||
| Date of attack | 7 Jun, 1942 | Nationality:  Panaman | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-158 (Erwin Rostin) | ||
| Position | 23.08N, 84.42W - Grid DM 4174 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 47 (1 dead and 46 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New Orleans - Tampa - Panama - La Guaira, Venezuela - Aruba | ||
| Cargo | 4995 tons general cargo | ||
| History | Built as Italian Ada O. for Navigazione Alta Italia Società Anonima, Genoa On 1 Nov, 1941, the Ada O. in New Orleans was seized under Public Law #101 by the US War Shipping Administration, which registered her in Panama as Hermis. The ship was assigned to Lykes Bros. SS Co on 12 May 1942 to be operated under GAA agreement. | ||
| Notes on loss | On 7 Jun, 1942, the unescorted and unarmed Hermis (Master Thomas Stanborough) was torpedoed by U-158. One torpedo struck on the port side just forward of the bridge, a few minutes later a second torpedo hit on the port side at #3 hatch. The vessel continued circling at 8 knots because the engines could not be stopped due to the deck valve being broken. The U-boat surfaced and shelled the ship, setting her on fire. One shell hit destroyed the wheelhouse and chart room. 12 hours later, the burning Hermis was observed still afloat with the stern out of the water, but apparently sank later. The survivors, 12 of them injured, were picked up by the US Army transporter Toloa in the course of the day and taken to Kingston, Jamaica. | ||
If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.