U.S. Merchant Vessel

Builder: Launched in 1921 as the Dutch vessel Silvanus

Port of Origin: Refitted in 1927 by the Southwestern Shipbuilding Co., San Pedro, California

Propulsion: Single screw - Steam driven - 10 kts. cruising

Type: Steam Fuel/Oil Tanker

Tonnage: 5,939 tons

Length: 412 feet

Width: 53 feet

Armament: Unarmed fuel transport

Owner History: Petroleum Navigation Company, Houston, Texas

Remarks:

After delivering a load of fuel oil to New England, on her return voyage, the unescorted S.S. Papoose was fired upon by the U-124 in the shallow waters off Cape Lookout. On March 19, 1942 the Papoose was traveling south bound as the U-124 focused her sights on the slow moving tanker, the first torpedo struck her port side and causing the engine room to flood almost immediately stopped the ships engines. The crew quickly abandoned ship, within 10 minutes the second torpedo was fired and struck the Papoose on her starboard amidship, the direct hit exposed a gaping a hole extending above the waterline. The High Speed Transport U.S.S Stringham (APD-6) rescued the 31 survivors about 10 hrs. after the attack, Captain Raymond Zalnick of the Papoose reported that the vessel may be salvaged and should be investigated by a recovery tug. The recovery tug Kewaydin (AT-24) was sent to retrieve her, however upon arrival it was declared the Papoose could not be saved and she sank the following day.

Factoid:

The Papoose was sunk by the Type IXB (class) U-boat, this submarine had a range of 1,500 nautical miles, producing 4400 hp while cruising 18 kts. on the surface. Its weapons capabilities included (22) torpedoes, (1) 3" deck gun with 110 rounds, as well as the ability to lay mines. The IXB U-boats were the most effective of the fleet at sinking Allied vessels, Type IXB submarines were recognized for sinking on average a total of 100,000 gross tons of Allied shipping per U-boat.

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Data compiled by BluwaterBandit