Ships hit by U-boats


James W. Nesmith

American Steam merchant



NameJames W. Nesmith
Type:Steam merchant (Liberty)
Tonnage7,176 tons
Completed1942 - Oregon Shipbuilding Co, Portland OR 
OwnerMcCormick SS Co, San Francisco CA 
HomeportPortland 
Date of attack7 Apr 1945Nationality:      American
 
FateA total loss by U-1024 (Hans-Joachim Gutteck)
Position53° 24'N, 4° 48'W - Grid AM 9252
Complement82 (0 dead and 82 survivors).
ConvoyHX-346
RouteNew York (24 Mar) - Liverpool 
Cargo3375 tons of tobacco, fertilizer, lumber, crated aircraft parts and 8 P-47 aircraft as deck cargo 
History Completed July 1942 
Notes on event

At 17.23 hours on 7 April 1945 the James W. Nesmith (Master Reginald Stanley Rossiter) as the fourth ship in line in the port column of convoy HX-346 was torpedoed by U-1024 off Holyhead. One torpedo struck on the port side at the #5 hold. The explosion damaged the steering gear, flooded the #4 and #5 holds. The machinery was damaged as water came through the shaft alley into the engine room and fireroom. The nine officers, 31 crewmen, 41 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, three 3in and eight 20mm guns) and one passenger remained on the vessel. She was taken in tow by the HMCS Belleville (K 332) and beached off Holyhead during the night. The ship was later refloated by salvage vessels and towed to Liverpool, arriving on 23 April.

The badly damaged James W. Nesmith was towed to Bremerhaven, loaded with surplus chemical ammunition and scuttled in the North Sea in June 1946.

 
On boardWe have details of 1 people who were on board


If you can help us with any additional information on this vessel then please contact us.

Return to Allied Ships hit by U-boats