1951 — Oct 5, Hurricane How, freighter Southern Isles breaks-up/sinks off Cape Hatteras, NC–17

Compiled 10-31-2023 by Wayne Blanchard for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/

–17  United States Coast Guard. Marine Board of Investigation. Foundering MV Southern Isles…

–17  Wikipedia. “Hurricane How.” 10-6-2023. Accessed 10-31-2023.

Narrative Information

United States Coast Guard. Marine Board of Investigation. Foundering MV Southern Isles…:

“….2. The motor vessel Southern Isles of 3m325 g,t,, a former Y,S, Navy LST [Landing Ship, Tank] which had been converted in 1950 for the carriage of bulk cargo in the merchant service, departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, on 30 September, 1951, with a full load of iron ore destined for Chester, Pa. On 3 October, a hurricane was in the area between Puerto Rico and Cape Hatteras and the vessel altered course and reduced speed. On the morning of 5 October, 1951 the weather was – wind WNW, force 5 [17-21 knots], sea moderate rough, swells confused and long of 4′ to 6′ in height. Under these conditions and with a full load of iron ore on board of undetermined distribution, the Southern Isles was proceeding on course 335⁰ true at her full speed of 9 knots when at 0315, with little or no warning, she broke in two and sank within a few minutes in position 32-30N 73-00W with insufficient time to launch any lifeboats. As a result of this casualty, of the 23 crew members on board, 17 perished, including the master.

“3.  The Board made the following Findings of Fact:

….

“21. That the Southern Isles was overloaded on departure San Juan on 30 September, 1951, to the extent that her permissible draft in salt water of 15′ 3/8″ was exceeded by 3-1/8″.

….

“28. That the SS Charlotte Lykes at 0340 while on course 050 degrees true sighted approximately four miles dead ahead the lights of a vessel which lights suddenly disappeared from view at 0351.

“29. That at 0418 the Charlotte Lykes arrived alongside a ring buoy with burning water light and shortly thereafter heard cries for help from the water; that at 0433 two survivors were sighted and at 0445 one Wilson Deal was taken on board followed shortly thereafter by lowering of #1 lifeboat which removed James L. Midgette from an overturned lifeboat; that between 0445 and 0730 five additional survivors, making a total of sever were picked up and brought on board.

….

“31 That James L. Midgette when brought on board had a badly mangled right leg and died on board the Charlotte Lykes at 0845.

….

“33. That the Charlotte Lykes recovered from the sea two bodies identified as those of Richard C. Meekins, messman and William J. Asble, oiler.

“34. That at about 2015 the Charlotte Lykes transferred six survivors and three bodies to the U.S.C.G.C. Cherokee and at 2024 resumed her voyage to London after being released by the Cherokee.

“34. That at 0625 (EST) the SS Florence Luckenbach altered course, upon receipt of general message sent by the 5^th Coast Guard District, to proceed to position of distress; arrived on scene at 1049 and during a ten hour search recovered from the sea one body identified as that of Simeon J. Delacruz, Jr., which body was transferred to the U.S.C.G.C. Cherokee.

….

“40. That the following members of the crew of the Southern Isles on board at the time of foundering are missing:

            George F. Sadler                      Marion R. Capers

Linwood J. Gardner                Marion M. Gorman

James A. Pledger                     Cecil L. Vaughn

George M. Wilkinson              John E. Carpenter

Norman L. Fisher                    Edward J. Brown

Hal Edward Williams              Tolon W. Shumake

Joseph A. Miller

“41. That the type of life preserver used by the survivors and found on the bodies of deceased was the cork block jacket without collar.

….

“The Board expressed the following Opinions:

“1. That the Southern Isles was not a suitable type vessel for service as a bulk carrier of iron ore or similarly dense cargoes.

“2. That abnormal strains produced in loading and unloading in her three previous [overloaded] voyages carrying iron ore weakened the structure of the Southern Isles.

“3. That at the time of foundering the Southern Isles (with a blunt bow) was being operated at too great a speed in a nearly head sea.

“4. That the causes of the breaking of the Southern Isles were a weakening of the hull structure by overloading and by unequal distribution of weights during loading of and discharge or iron ore cargoes and the driving of the vessel during heavy weather encountered on her last voyage.

“5. That the thirteen crew members listed as missing in fact #4 are dead.

“6. That Milton P. Jackson, president of the Southern Trading Company, and W. M. Bradbury, operating manager of the Southern Trading Company had knowledge of and willfully allowed overloading of the Southern Isles.

….

“The Board made the following Recommendations:

“1. That converted landing ships of construction similar to the Southern Isles not be authorized to carry bulk cargoes of densities approximating those of iron ore.

“2. That all converted landing ships and craft certificated for oceans or coastwise waters be re-inspected to determine condition of hull structures and that reports of these conditions be forwarded to the Commandant for review.

“3. That the Commandant direct that the Merchant Marine Technical Division make a study of the structural strength and weakness of converted LSTs and recommend structural improvements for LSTs certified for oceans or coastwise waters.

“4. That the case be referred to the Department of Justice recommending prosecution of Milton P. Jackson, president of the Southern Trading Company and of W. M. Bradbury, operating manager of the Southern Trading Company for violation of 18 USC 1115.

“5> That the Commandant, U. S. Coast Guard, initiate steps to amend Title 46 USC Section 85g, paragraphs © and (d) to provide a penalty of $10,000 in lieu of the $500 now stated. Also, to amend Title 46 USC Section 85g, paragraph € to provide a penalty of $10,000 in lieu of the $1,000 now specified.’”

Sources

United States Coast Guard. Memorandum from Chief, Merchant Vessel Inspection Division, to Commandant, USCG. Subject: Marine Board of Investigation. Foundering MV Southern Isles in position 32⁰30’N 73⁰00’W, 5 October, 1951, with loss of life. Washington, DC: USCG, 4-30-1952. Accessed 10-31-2023 at: https://web.archive.org/web/20110609192713/http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/southernisle.pdf

Wikipedia. “Hurricane How.” 10-6-2023. Accessed 10-31-2023 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_How