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McDowell
T2-SE-A1
"McDowell".( Photo US Coast Guard )
McDOWELL, T2-SE-A1
History :
Built by Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Chester, Pennsylvania.
Yardnumber 309. UMSC No. 384. Official nr. 244642.
Keel laid 24-07-1943. Launched 03-11-1943. Completed 19-11-1943. Gr. 10195 t., Net. 6236 t., Dw. 16613 t. L.o.a. 159,57 m., Br. 20,78 m., Dr. 9,31 m. Engine: 2 steam turbines, manufactured by General Electric Company, Lynn, Massachussetts. 7240 B.h.p., 5401 kW. Speed 15 knots.26 Tanks.
History:
McDOWELL-1943 completed for United States War Shipping Administration, Marine Transport Lines Inc, New York, USA.
Additional Reports:
Reported McDowell torpedoed and sunk 16 Dec. 1943 by German submarine U-516, in position 13.08 N /70.02 W. , 30 miles north of Aruba, whilst on voyage from New York to Aruba in ballast. 3 crewmembers/ gunners killed, 70 survived.
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Additional information from Uboat.net :
Name
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McDowell
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Type:
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Turbine tanker (T-2)
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Tonnage
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10.195 tons
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Completed
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1943 - Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Chester PA
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Owner
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Marine Transport Lines Inc, New York
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Homeport
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Philadelphia
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Date of attack
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16 Dec, 1943
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Nationality: American
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Fate
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Sunk by U-516 (Hans-Rutger Tillessen)
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Position
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13.08N, 70.02W - Grid EC 9232
- See location on a map -
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Complement
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73 (3 dead and 70 survivors).
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Convoy
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Route
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New York (10 Dec) - Aruba
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Cargo
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Water ballast
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History
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Completed in October 1943 for US Maritime Commission
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Notes on loss
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At 10.21 hours on 16 Dec, 1943, the unescorted McDowell (Master Henry David Barrow) was hit by a Gnat from U-516 about 30 miles north of Aruba. The torpedo struck the port side at the screw, destroying the propeller and shaft and disabling the main and auxiliary engines and the steering gear. The ship settled by the stern rapidly, but the crew did not abandon ship. At 11.32 and 11.33 hours, two coups de grâce hit the disabled tanker. The first at the # 7 port wing tank and the second at the # 4 tank, this caused the ship to sink stern first within five minutes.
The ten officers, 35 crewmen and 28 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) abandoned ship in five lifeboats and a raft. Two crewmen drowned. The boats were spotted by an aircraft about one hour later, the American steam tanker Fairfax picked up 63 survivors and landed them at Aruba. The chief cook died from injuries ashore on 22 December. About 16.00 hours, the remaining eight survivors were rescued by USS YMS-56 and landed at Aruba.
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