Cherry Valley
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| Name | Cherry Valley | ||
| Type: | Turbine tanker | ||
| Tonnage | 10.172 tons | ||
| Completed | 1942 - Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Chester PA | ||
| Owner | Keystone Shipping Co, Philadelphia PA | ||
| Homeport | Philadelphia | ||
| Date of attack | 22 Jul, 1943 | Nationality:  American | |
| Fate | Damaged by U-66 (Friedrich Markworth) | ||
| Position | 25.10N, 68.35W - Grid DN 36 - See location on a map - | ||
| Complement | 79 (0 dead and 79 survivors). | ||
| Convoy | |||
| Route | New York - Aruba | ||
| Cargo | 6000 tons of water ballast and 165 tons of Army cargo | ||
| History | Completed November 1942 | ||
| Notes on loss | At 09.21 hours on 22 Jul, 1943, the unescorted Cherry Valley (Master John H. Rose) was hit by two torpedoes from U-66, while steering a zigzagging course at 15.5 knots. The torpedoes struck the starboard side between the #6 and #7 tanks. The explosions ripped open the #5, #6, #7 and #8 starboard and center tanks. The engines and steering gear were not damaged and the tanker tried to escape at a reduced speed of 13 knots. U-66 followed the tanker and fired a spread of three torpedoes at 11.30 hours, one was seen passing ahead and one other astern. The U-boat then surfaced to stop the vessel with gunfire. The tanker was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm and fired back, forcing the U-boat to break off the attack. The list to port was adjusted by emptying the #1 starboard tank and the Cherry Valley successfully escaped. She arrived at San Juan, Puerto Rico, under her own power, escorted into harbour by the HNMS Jan van Brakel on 24 July. There were no casualties among the eleven officers, 40 crew men and 28 armed guards. Eventually she was repaired and returned to service. | ||
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