1942 – Jan 26, U.S. Freighter West Ivis sunk by U-boat, off Cape Hatteras, NC — 45

–45 AAMW. US Ships Sunk or Damaged on Eastcoast of U.S….World War II…. 2010.
–36 crew
— 9 armed guards
–45 Helgason. “Ships hit by U-boats. West Ivis. American Steam merchant.”
–36 crew (all eight officers and 28 crewmen)
— 9 armed guards

Narrative Information

American Merchant Marine at War:
Date Ship Type Cause Result Location Deaths
“01/26/42 West Ivis Freighter Torpedo Sunk Eastcoast Crew 36 AG 9

Helgason:
“Type: Steam merchant
‘Tonnage 5,666 tons
“Completed 1919 – Ames Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., Seattle WA
“Owner Pope & Talbot Inc., San Francisco CA
“Homeport San Francisco
“Date of attack 26 Jan 1942
“Nationality American
“Fate Sunk by U-125 (Ulrich Folkers)
“Position 35° 03’N, 73° 10’W – Grid CA 8883
“Complement 45 (45 dead – no survivors)
“Route New York (24 Jan) – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Trinidad – Buenos Aires
“Cargo General cargo
….
“Notes on event: At 05.56 hours on 26 Jan 1942 the unescorted West Ivis (Master Alfred C. Larsen) was hit underneath the stack and in the engine room by two G7e stern torpedoes from U-125, broke in two and sank in 14 minutes off Cape Hatteras. The ship had been missed by a first torpedo at 04.52 hours. The Germans observed lifeboats, but did not question the survivors. The eight officers, 28 crewmen and nine armed guards (the ship was armed with one 4in, four .50cal and four .30cal guns) were lost.”

Note: The uboat.net site contains information on all 45 of those onboard. Accessible at: https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship1296.html

Sources

American Merchant Marine at War. U.S. Ships Sunk or Damaged on Eastcoast of U.S. and Gulf of Mexico During World War II. Eastcoast of U.S. (175 ships). 12-22-2010. Webpage accessed 4-11-2021 at: http://www.usmm.org/eastgulf.html

Helgason, Gudmundur. “Ships hit by U-boats. West Ivis, American Steam merchant.” Uboat.net. Webpage accessed 4-12-2021 at: https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship/1268.html