NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON

Op-16-B-5

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                               May 24, 1942

Subject:

Summary of Statements by Survivors, MV ATHELEMPRESS, British Tanker, 8,941 G.T., Athel Line, Ltd.

        1.        The "ATHELEMPRESS" was torpedoed without warning at 2354 G.C.T., April 29, 1942 at 13.21 N - 56.15 W; the ship was enroute from Milford, New Haven to Port of Spain, in water ballast.  The ship sank at 0310 G.C.T., April 30, 1942.

        2.        The tanker was on course 250⁰ true, speed 11 knots.  Ship had been zigzagging since it left convoy April 19, 1942, in accordance with No. 5 in the instruction book, completely blacked out, radio had not been used, 5 lookouts; 3 on bridge and 2 aft.  The weather was clear, moderate easterly wind, force 4, visibility good, bright moon, no ships in sight.

        3.        At 2354 G.C.T. a torpedo struck the port side, approximately amidships.  The track was seen about broad on the port bow and the torpedo apparently broke to the surface a few seconds before it hit.  Ship immediately took a list of 45-50⁰.  A second torpedo struck the portside on the end of the after deck.  At 0030 G.C.T., after the vessel was abandoned, 20 to 25 shells were fired into the vessel from a distance of 200 to 300 yards, with all of them being direct hits.  Ship sent an SSS signal, but possibly the set was put out of commission by the torpedo explosion; no reply to the signal was received.  The vessel was armed, but no counter offensive was offered.  Confidential codes were secured overboard, and the master's papers went down with the ship.

        4.        At 0015 G.C.T. ship was abandoned.  Forty-seven of the total crew of 50 left in three lifeboats.  Three members of the crew were believed to have been killed.  One boat, with 19, was picked up by the SS ATLANTIC at 1620, May 6, 1942, 13.34 N - 58.45 W and brought to Port of Spain.  Two boats, with 28, including the master's boat, arrived St. Lucia, May 4, 1942.

        5.        The submarine was described as large, painted dark color, no streaks or stripes, 3 guns, one 3-inch forward, automatic gun aft and machine gun on conning tower, not cutter which was fixed to some kind of mast.  Submarine circled the ship and disappeared astern at about 0300, April 30.  Submarine stopped the master's boat and questioned him in regard to name of ship, gross tonnage, destination and port of departure.  Submarine officer was very polite, addressed master as Sir, believed to be German.

                                                                                                                  A. J. Powers

                                                                                                               Ensign, U.S.N.R.

CC:  ONI B-8, 16-D, F-9 (4 copies), F-10; Cominch; Cominch F-22, F-221, F-37 (C & R), Op-23-L, Op-28, Op-30, Op-39, BuShips, BuOrdnance (Ensign P. L. Vissat), BuOrdnance, Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Unit.

NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON

Op-16-B-5

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                               May 19, 1942

Subject:

Summary of Statements by Survivors, SS PARNAHYBA, Brazilian Freighter, 6,692 G.T., Loyd Brasileiro.

        1.        The PARNAHYBA was torpedoed without warning at 1510 E.W.T. on May 1, 1942 at 12⁰ N., 58⁰ 20' W.  She sank by plunging, bow first, at 1556 E.W.T.

        2.        The PARNAHYBA was enroute from Recife, Brazil, to New York with a full cargo of 7,500 tons, draft 20 feet.  Her speed was 10-1/2 knots, not zigzagging, Brazilian flag flying, daylight attack, radio not used.  Five of the crew and 3 of the gun crew were on watch in the crosstrees, on the forecastle and aft by the gun.  The weather was clear, sea calm, wind NE by E force 5 knots, bright sunlight.

        3.        The torpedo struck the port bunker which was empty, three to four meters below the waterline.  The Chief Engineer halted the ship immediately following the explosion.  An SOS was sent giving the ship's position and call.  No reply was received.  The PARNAHYBA was armed but no counter action could be taken as the submarine was not seen until after the ship was abandoned.  A second torpedo struck the PARNAHYBA; but the time, location of hit, and damage resulting was not furnished by the survivors interviewed.  Disposition of codes is not known.

        4.        Ship was abandoned by the crew of 71 and one passenger immediately after the first torpedo struck, although the ship was not sinking with rapidity.  Twenty-six survivors in one lifeboat were rescued at 1350, May 3 by the M/V TURRET CAPE.  Sixteen landed on Trinidad, and 20 in the third lifeboat were picked up by the SS CABO DE HORNOS.  Latest reports indicate 65 survivors, 7 killed.

        5.        The submarine surfaced about 10 minutes after the attack began and fired 30 rounds of shellfire from a distance of 250 to 300 meters bearing off the port side about 60 degrees.  The rate of fire was very fast.  It is believed the shells were incendiary as large fires were started.  Many of the shells passed over the ship.  The submarine was last seen at 1600.  No description of the submarine could be obtained other that that she was fairly big, very fast, and shown like silver in the sunlight.  It was remarked that the submarine appeared to be in a hurry to leave.

                                                                                                                  A. J. Powers

                                                                                                               Ensign, U.S.N.R.

CC:  ONI B-8, 16-D, F-9 (4 copies), F-10; Cominch; Cominch F-22, F-221, F-37 (C & R), Op-23-L, Op-28, Op-30, Op-39, BuShips, BuOrdnance (Ensign P. L. Vissat), BuOrdnance, Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Unit.

NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON

Op-16-B-5

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                               May 21, 1942

Subject:

Summary of Statements by Survivors, EASTERN SWORD, American Freighter, 3,785 G.T., Sword Steamship Line, Inc., Chartered to Alcoa Steamship Company of New York.

        1.        The EASTERN SWORD was torpedoed without warning at 0345 E.W.T. on May 4, 1942 approximately 12 miles, bearing 236 degrees true from Demerara Beacon, British Guiana.  The EASTERN SWORD sank in 13-1/2 fathoms less than a minute after being hit.

        2.        The vessel was enroute from Trinidad to Georgetown, British Guiana, on course 163⁰ true, draft 15.6 forward, 16 aft, speed slow keeping headway, not zigzagging, completely blacked out, radio sealed.  A lookout was on the forecastle head and the master, 2nd officer, and the helmsman were on the bridge.  The weather was overcast, moderate easterly sea, wind force 5, visibility 7, moonlight.

        3.        At 0300 something struck the port side at #2 hatch.  Investigation showed nothing and no craft could be seen.  At 0345 two torpedoes struck in rapid succession.  There was an immediate flooding aft of the ship.  The radio shack was blown to pieces and no distress message could be sent.  The EASTERN SWORD was not armed.

        4.        Twelve of the crew of 29 got away in a lifeboat and landed at Georgetown at 0400, May 5.  The other crew member was picked off a raft by the fishing boat OCEAN STAR at 1400, May 6 and taken to Georgetown.

        5.        The submarine was seen by the 2nd mate after he dove off the EASTERN SWORD.  He described it as large, estimated 300 feet, painted grey, very long foredeck, oval conning tower, two gins, about 3" aft, 5" forward, after gun close to conning tower, short mast on the after side of the conning tower with a double antenna from bow to stern spread from the mast.

        6.        The EASTERN SWORD sank on an even keel on a mud bottom in approximately 13-1/2 fathoms on a position bearing 056⁰ true from Demerara Light Beacon about 12 miles distant.  About 15 feet of the EASTERN SWORD's main topmast and foretopmast were visible above the water.  Salvage was being attempted.

                                                                                                                  A. J. Powers

                                                                                                               Ensign, U.S.N.R.

CC:  ONI B-8, 16-D, F-9 (4 copies), F-10; Cominch; Cominch F-22, F-221, F-37 (C & R), Op-23-L, Op-28, Op-30, Op-39, BuShips, BuOrdnance (Ensign P. L. Vissat), BuOrdnance, Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Unit.

NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON

Op-16-B-5

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                               May 22, 1942

Subject:

Summary of Statements by Survivors, Schooner "FLORENCE M. DOUGLAS", 200 G.T., H. R. Avery, Master and Owner.

        1.        The "FLORENCE M. DOUGLAS" was brought to with one blank round from a submarine which surfaced after its periscope was sighted ahead crossing the bow from port to starboard at 1300 E.W.T. May 4, 1942, approximately 65 miles 000⁰ true of Georgetown Beacon, while enroute from Bonaire, N.W.I. to Georgetown, British Guiana, with a cargo of salt.  The submarine commander broke out the German Nazi Ensign and hailed the Schooner with three words, "Leave your boat."  Two additional rounds were fired when the crew attempted to collect personal belongings which speeded their abandonment.  The Schooner was sunk by shell fire and went down about 1320 E.W.T.

        2.        The Schooner had an uneventful cruise, except for severe weather off Barbados.  On May 3, during the night the officers and some crew members heard an engine near them which they believed to be a submarine.  Routing instructions were furnished by the Harbor Master at Barbados on to Bonaire but none from Bonaire to British Guiana.  No information available on lights, course, radio etc.

        3.        The submarine opened fire, after the Schooner abandoned, at the rigging and at the base of the masts, range 200 to 250 yards.  The rigging and the halyards were cut down first so when the topmasts were shot down they carried overside away from the submarine.  Survivors believed the shooting was a form of practice and was very accurate as everything on board was leveled with the deck.  The submarine then put one heavy shell at the water line which was sufficient to sink her.

        4.        The survivors pulled away to the NW after abandonment, then commenced to row in a southerly direction and shortly afterwards saw and heard a plane.  Those on the submarine must have heard and seen the plane as well, as she promptly crash dived.  The survivors landed at Anna Regina, British Guiana, where they were sent for and arrived in Georgetown on Thursday, May 7, 1942.

        5.        The submarine when it surfaced and as it circled the ship kept its bow into the Schooner as much as possible and later into the lifeboat thereby preventing the survivors from seeing her clearly.  The Captain states definitely the submarine had 4 guns of approximately what he thinks were about 3" caliber; 2 forward of the conning tower and 2 aft; also a machine gun on the bridge.  The submarine had no markings whatsoever, painted a light grey.  One officer and six members of the gun crew came on deck when the submarine surfaced.  The officer, between 30 and 40 years of age, had on a cockney pith helmet, and shorts and a white shirt.  The crew members were dressed in khaki shorts only, were well tanned, blond hair, and all under 20.  "Surprisingly young," were the words used by the Captain of the Schooner in describing.

                                                                                                                  H. A. Burch

                                                                                                               Lieutenant, U.S.N.R.

CC:  ONI B-8, 16-D, F-9 (4 copies), F-10; Cominch; Cominch F-22, F-221, F-37 (C & R), Op-23-L, Op-28, Op-30, Op-39, BuShips, BuOrdnance (Ensign P. L. Vissat), BuOrdnance, Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Unit.

NAVY DEPARTMENT

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON

Op-16-B-5

CONFIDENTIAL                                                                                               July 12, 1942

Subject:

Summary of Statements by Survivors, SS FRANK SEAMANS, Norwegian Freighter, 4271 G.T., owners:  Steamship Owners Operating Co., chartered to Alcoa Steamship Co.

        1.        The FRANK SEAMANS was torpedoed at 0250 LAT, May 7, 1942 at 6⁰ 21 N - 55⁰ 38' W, after having first been struck amidships on starboard side by a "warning shot" at 0220 LAT, same date, at 6⁰ 22' N, 55⁰ 36' W, while enroute from Paramaribo, to Trinidad, with a cargo of 5,769 metric tons of bauxite.  The ship broke in two and sank, midship section first.

        2.        The ship was on course 298⁰ true, speed 9 knots, not zigzagging, completely blacked out, radio silent, two lookouts on the bridge.  The weather was cloudy, sea rough, NE wind, force 3, good visibility.  No other ships in sight.

        3.        At 0220 it was stated a shell struck starboard side amidships at the water line breaching a hole unusually large for a gun shell.  No gunfire was heard.  The crew immediately abandoned ship; at 0250 LAT a torpedo was seen to miss the ship passing 10 yards astern; but a minute later another torpedo struck amidships on starboard breaking the ship in two.  Although armed, no counter offensive was offered nor were any distress signals sent.  Confidentials weighted, and thrown overboard.

        4.        The crew of 27 abandoned ship with some confusion immediately after the "warning shell" struck.  One lifeboat containing 11 was picked up at 0900 on May 7 by the KONIGN EMMA (Dutch) and another containing 16 was picked up by the same rescue ship at noon the same day, having been directed to that vessel by U.S. Army bomber.  The survivors were landed at Paramaribo, May 7.

        5.        The sub called the Master's boat alongside and asked ship's name, port, cargo, size, and if radio had been used.  (One survivor stated the first question was, "Is this the American SEAMANS?").  The sub was a motor ship of 1,500 or 2,000 tons, newly painted dark color, appeared new, undamaged, and was armed with two 5" guns, one forward, one aft, and a 3" anti-aircraft just aft of the conning tower, which was rounded forward, and "V" shaped aft.  The sub was last seen at 0330 LAT proceeding NW (on course approximately 325⁰ T) on the surface.

        6.        The U.S. Naval Observer, Paramaribo, commented that the ship was not following routing instructions and the sub seemed to be expecting the ship.  An unofficial board of investigation was held and the findings substantiated the Observer's opinion that the sinking was a direct result of some agent ashore or aboard the ship.

                                                                                                                   E.D. Henderson

                                                                                                                  Ensign, U.S.N.R.

CC:  ONI B-8, 16-D, F-9 (4 copies), F-10; Cominch; Cominch F-22, F-221, F-37 (C & R), Op-23-L, Op-28, Op-30, Op-39, BuShips, BuOrdnance (Ensign P. L. Vissat), BuOrdnance, Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Unit.