Ships hit by U-boats


Allan Jackson

American Steam tanker



Photo Courtesy of Library of Contemporary History, Stuttgart

NameAllan Jackson
Type:Steam tanker
Tonnage6,635 tons
Completed1921 - Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corp, Alameda CA 
OwnerStandard Oil Co of New Jersey, New York 
HomeportWilmington 
Date of attack18 Jan 1942Nationality:      American
 
FateSunk by U-66 (Richard Zapp)
Position35° 57'N, 74° 20'W - Grid CA 8779
Complement35 (22 dead and 13 survivors).
Convoy
RouteCartagena, Colombia - New York 
Cargo72.870 barrels of crude oil 
History Completed in January 1921 as Crampton Anderson for Pan American Petroleum & Transport Co Inc, Los Angeles CA. 1931 renamed Allan Jackson for the same owner. 1935 sold to Standard Oil Co of New Jersey, New York. 
Notes on event

At 08.33 hours on 18 Jan 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Allan Jackson (Master Felix W. Kretchmer) was hit by two torpedoes from U-66, while proceeding without routing instructions about 60 miles east-northeast of Diamond Shoals, North Carolina. The first torpedo hit the starboard side forward of the bridge in the forward tank and the second hit the starboard side aft of the deckhouse between #2 and #3 tanks and broke the ship in two about 25 feet forward of the midship house, nearly in line with the foremast. This caused both parts of the burning tanker to sink within 10 minutes. Flaming oil spewed from the tankerĀ“s side and spread over the water hundreds of feet around the ship, making it hazardous for the crew to abandon ship. Many of the men burned to death because only the #3 boat with eight men could be launched. Five men jumped into the water and clung to wreckage. The radio operator was picked up by the lifeboat after 15 minutes. The second mate, the third mate and an able seaman were picked up by USS Roe (DD 418) four hours later. The destroyer then picked up the occupants of the lifeboat and found the master after seven hours in the water. On 19 January, all survivors were landed at Norfolk, Virginia. Of the eight officers and 27 men aboard, only three officers and 10 men survived, eight of them injured.

 
On boardWe have details of 35 people who were on board


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