NC coast–all 23

lornajarrettblanchard December 5, 1954

— 23 USGS. Commandant’s Action…SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, disappearance at sea…, 1955.

Narrative Information

USCG Action on Marine Board of Investigation; M/V Southern Districts:

2. The Southern Districts, propelled by internal combustion engines, of 3338 g.t., a former U.S. Navy LST, built in Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1944 and converted during 1949 for the carriage of bulk cargo in coastwise merchant services, departed from Port Sulphur, Louisiana, on 2 December 1954 with a full load of bulk sulphur destined for Bucksport, Maine. At 1350 on 5 December 1954 the Southern Districts was in radio communication with WOE RCA Station and at approximately the same time was overtaken and passed by the Gulf Keys. During the night of 5 December off the Florida and Carolina coasts the wind from a southeasterly direction reached force 7, shifting the next day to northerly, force 8, accompanied by squalls with wind gusts of force 9 and rough seas The weather conditions moderated on 7 December and the master was to report 72 hours in advance of the estimated time of arrival. No word was received from nor was the Southern Districts sighted and identified at any time subsequent to 1600 5 December 1954. The owners, after making due allowance for bad weather, endeavored on 9 December 1954 to communicate with the Southern Districts by radio. At 2130 11 December, the owners informed the Coast Guard or their failure to reach or receive word from the Southern Districts, whereupon the Coast Guard instituted a communications, surface and air search which continued until 20 December with negative results. It is evident that the Southern Districts was overcome by casualty sometime after 1600 5 December 1954 and that her entire crew, comprising 23 officers and seamen, perished with the vessel.” (p.1)

Source

United States Coast Guard. Commandant’s Action on Marine Board of Investigation; M/V SOUTHERN DISTRICTS, disappearance at sea, subsequent to 5 December 1954, with all person on board. Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, August 10, 1955. Accessed at: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/southerndistricts.pdf