Sinking of the SS Gulfamerica - Jacksonville Beach, FL
N 30° 17.598 W 081° 23.389
17R E 462513 N 3351350
The SS Gulfamerica, an American steam tanker carrying a cargo of fuel oil from Texas to New York, was struck and sunk by a German U-boat torpedo during World War II.
Waymark Code: WM3Q9E
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 05/04/2008
Views: 74
A SS Gulfamerica historical marker is located near the entrance to the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. The marker reads as follows: "This marker commemorates the attack on the SS Gulfamerica on April 10, 1942, during World War II (1941-1945) by a German U-boat just off the coast of Jacksonville Beach. The Gulfamerica, a merchant marine vessel, was on her maiden voyage from Port Arthur, Texas to New York carrying 90,000 barrels of fuel oil. It was one of the first merchant vessels to be fitted with weapons and carried seven naval armed guards in addition to its crew of 41 men. German U-boat, U-123, first fired a torpedo, striking the Gulfamerica on her starboard side; then maneuvered between the vessel and the shore to shell the tanker with its deck gun in full view of spectators on the boardwalk in Jacksonville Beach. Captain Oscar Anderson of the Gulfamerica ordered the ship to be abandoned. There was great confusion while loading the lifeboats and 19 men were killed, by drowning or from shellfire. The Gulfamerica and its cargo of oil burned for several days before sinking. Today the wreck sits in 60 feet of water, 4 ½ miles from the Jacksonville Beach coastline. In response to the sinking of the Gulfamerica, Florida Governor Spessard Holland declared a blackout of coastal areas to prevent the silhouetting of passing ships."
From
Wikipedia: "Gulfamerica's maiden voyage was to take her from Port Arthur, Texas to New York, carrying a cargo of 101,500 barrels of furnace oil. On the night of April 11, 1942, she was traveling unescorted about five miles off Jacksonville, Florida. She was illuminated by the lights of the Jacksonville Beach resort, which at that time was not observing a blackout. Just after 0400 hours, the decision was made to stop steaming an evasive zigzag course. Twenty minutes later, at 04.22 hours, she was sighted by the U-boat U 123 who fired a torpedo at her."
"The torpedo struck at the #7 tank on the starboard side and caused a large explosion and subsequent fire. The engines were stopped and the order to abandon ship was given, as the Gulfamerica sent distress calls. U-123 then opened fire with her deck gun, firing about 12 shells into the engine room on the port side in an attempt to bring down the radio antenna and the anti-aircraft gun. The evacuation descended into confusion, causing a lifeboat to capsize, while another with the master and ten crewmen hurriedly pulled away in ten minutes. Ten minutes later another boat left with only three men aboard, whilst three others abandoned ship on a liferaft, later picking up two men from the water."
"Five men were killed by the torpedo blast or the gunfire, with 14 men drowning after they had entered the water. A total of two officers, two armed guards and 15 crewmen were killed in the sinking. The survivors were all rescued by US Coast Guard patrol boats and taken to Mayport, Florida. The Gulfamerica settled by the stern with about a 40° list to starboard but did not sink until April 16."