Raphael Semmes

Raphael Semmes was a 6,027 gross registered tons (GRT), and could carry 9,400 tons. The vessel was 412 feet long, 52.2? feet wide and 26.7 feet deep (another source says 401X53.1X31.8). Her triple-expansion steam engine was built by Llewellyn Iron Works in Los Angeles and developed 363 net horsepower, propelling her at 11 knots.

Fate Sunk by U-332 (Johannes Liebe)

Position 29? 30'N, 64? 30'W - Grid DD 4786

Complement 37 (19 dead and 18 survivors).

Route Bombay, India - Trinidad - New York

Cargo 7500 tons of manganese ore, tobacco, licorice, wool and rugs

History: Built as Argus 1923 renamed Sidney M. Hauptmann for McCormick SS Co, San Francisco CA. 1940 transferred to Isthmian SS Co, New York and renamed Raphael Semmes.
Notes on event

At 10.30 hours on 28 June 1942 the unescorted and unarmed Raphael Semmes (Master Harold Goron Eaton) was hit on the starboard side by two torpedoes from U-332 when steaming on a nonevasive course at 9 knots about 875 miles east of Cape Canaveral, Florida. The torpedoes struck at the #2 and #4 hatches and caused the ship to sink within two minutes.

The nine officers, 26 crewmen and two passengers unsuccessfully tried to launch boats but had to jump overboard and swim away from the ship. 18 survivors clung to wreckage and eventually climbed onto two rafts, ten of them with the help of the U-boat that circled the wreck and picked them up.

The Germans took care of their wounds and gave them tobacco, cigarettes, water and food before leaving the area.

The 18 survivors were picked up on 16 July by the American steam merchant Explorer and landed two days later at Jersey City, New Jersey. The master, six officers, eleven crewmen and one passenger were lost.