1942 — Mar 12, merchant marine tanker John D. Gill torpedoed, U-boat, Cape Fear, NC–19-23

–23 Commemorative Landscapes. “Cataline Tingzon-S.S. John D. Gill Memorial Marker, Southport.”
–23 NC-wreckdiving.com. “John D. Gill.” Accessed 2-13-2021. Cites Gentile. Shipwrecks of…
–23 NCpedia.org. “Cataline Tingzon-S.S. John D. Gill Memorial Marker.” 7-11-2014.
–23 Steelman/StarNews. “During WWII, U-Boats prowled & waters blazed.” 7-1-2016, E5.
–19 Ladd. “[NC] Reunion. Shipwreck survivors…of the John D. Gill.” Sport Diver, June 1995, p. 81.
–16 Burlington Daily Times-News, NC. “Scores of Nazi Subs Lurked Off Carolina Coast…” 8-1-1945, 3.

Narrative Information

NC-wreckdiving.com: “The SS John D. Gill was on its second voyage, traveling en route from Atreco, TX to Philadelphia, PA via a Coast Guard ordered stop in Charleston, SC, with a cargo of crude oil. At 2110 EWT a torpedo struck the starboard side on the #7 tank near the area of the main mast. The tanker did not explode or ignite until a life ring with a self-igniting carbide lamp was thrown overboard by a crew member. The ship was immediately engulfed in flames. Explosions and fire wrecked all but the #2 and #4 lifeboats. The #2 boat was successfully launched with 15 crew members who were later picked up by the SS Robert H. Colley and taken to Charleston, SC. The #4 boat capsized while being lowered and its occupants were dumped into the sea. Many were lost when sucked into the still turning propeller. At 0600 EWT, March 13, the Coast Guard found 11 survivors (8 crew members and 3 Naval Armed Guard) floating on a raft. The raft had been released by able seaman, Edwin F. Cheney, Jr, who then guided injured and burned shipmates to the raft and safety. Cheney was later awarded the Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal for his bravery. The occupants of the raft were put onboard the USCG Agassiz (WSC-126) and taken to Southport, NC. Of the ships complement of 42 crew and 7 Naval Armed guard, 23 were killed. The John D. Gill sunk at 0900 EWT on March 13.”

Newspaper

Aug 1, 1945: “The John D. Gill Sunk.”
“The John D. Gill, carrying 143,000 barrels of crude oil, was sunk by a torpedo off Wilmington on March 12, 1942. Impact of the hit turned the tanker completely around. Flames from the burning ship were visible to the residents on Wrightsville Beach. Some reported feeling the explosions shake the beach houses.

“Some survivors were picked up by another ship, others by the coat guard. They were brought to Southport and to Charleston, 26 survived and 16 crew members were killed.” (Burlington Daily Times-News, NC. “Scores of Nazi Subs Lurked Off Carolina Coast in War.” 8-1-1945, p. 3.)
Sources

Burlington Daily Times-News, NC. “Scores of Nazi Subs Lurked Off Carolina Coast in War.” 8-1-1945, p. 3. Accessed 2-13-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-daily-times-news-aug-01-1945-p-2/

Commemorative Landscapes. “Cataline Tingzon-S.S. John D. Gill Memorial Marker, Southport.” Accessed 2-13-2021 at: https://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/320

Gentile, Gary. Shipwrecks of North Carolina – from Hatteras Inlet South. Philadelphia: Gary Gentile Productions, 1992.

Ladd, Susan. “North Carolina Reunion. Shipwreck survivors…of the John D. Gill.” Sport Diver, June 1995, pp. 80-81. Accessed 2-13-2021 at: https://books.google.com/books?id=2aXDowW7wpIC&pg=PA80&dq=john+d+gill+torpedoed+1942&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiF9oS_2ufuAhXnp1kKHafoDZoQ6AEwA3oECAAQAg#v=onepage&q=john%20d%20gill%20torpedoed%201942&f=false

NC-wreckdiving.com. “John D. Gill.” Accessed 2-13-2021.

NCpedia.org. “Cataline Tingzon-S.S. John D. Gill Memorial Marker.” 7-11-2014. Accessed 2-13-2021 at: https://www.ncpedia.org/monument/catalino-tingzon-s-s-john

Steelman, Ben (StarNews). “During WWII, U-Boats prowled & waters blazed.” Burlington, Times-News, NC, 7-1-2016, E5. Accessed 2-13-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/burlington-times-news-jul-03-2016-p-33/