USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52)
| Name | USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52) | ||
| Type: | Troop transport | ||
| Tonnage | 9.360 tons | ||
| Completed | 1931 - New York Shipbuilding Corp, Camden NJ | ||
| Owner | United States Navy | ||
| Homeport | |||
| Date of attack | 12 Nov, 1942 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Sunk by U-130 (Ernst Kals) | ||
| Position | 33.40N, 07.35W - Grid DJ 2524 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | ? men (15 dead and ? survivors). | ||
| Convoy | UGF-1 | ||
| Route | Hampton Roads (24 Oct) - Fedhala, Marocco (8 Nov) | ||
| Cargo | War material and troops | ||
| History | Completed in June 1931 as steam passenger ship Exeter for American Export Lines Inc, New York. On 7 Jan, 1942, requisitioned by the US Navy and converted to the troop transport USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52). She received one battle star for her World War 2 service. | ||
| Notes on loss | USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52) (Capt M.W. Hutchinson) was participating in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, in the Task Group 34.9 (Center Attack Group, Western Naval Task Force) as part of the convoy UGF-1. At 18.28 hours on 12 Nov, 1942, U-130 fired five torpedoes on three transports (USS Edward Rutledge (AP 52), USS Hugh L. Scott (AP 43) and USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42)) at anchor in the heavily guarded Fedhala Roads. All torpedoes hit their targets, causing the first and the second ship to sink quickly. USS Tasker H. Bliss (AP 42) burned until 02.30 hours the next morning and finally sank. The U-boat reported its victims by their former civilian names. | ||
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