Eastern Sword

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History
NameEastern Sword
OwnerSword Steam Ship Line Inc.
OperatorAlcoa Steamship Co.
Port of registry Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg New York City
BuilderUraga Dry Dock Co. Ltd, Uraga
Yard number166
CompletedAugust 1920
FateTorpedoed and sunk on 4 May 1942
General characteristics
Type Merchant ship
Tonnage3,785  GRT
Length330 ft 5 in (100.7 m)
Beam46 ft 3 in (14.1 m)
Installed power Triple expansion steam engine
Propulsion1 shaft
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)

Eastern Sword was an unarmed 3,785-ton steam merchant ship that was completed in 1920 at the Uraga Dry Dock Co. Ltd, Uraga, Japan. She was owned by the Sword Line Inc., New York, New York, and she was homeported out of this same city. The vessel was torpedoed and sunk on 4 May 1942 by the German submarine U-162 about twelve miles (19 km) off the Georgetown Light, Trinidad. 13 of the 38 crew survived.

Contents

Description

Eastern Sword was a steam-powered merchant ship that measured 3,785  gross register tons  (GRT), was 330 ft 5 in (100.7 m) long between perpendiculars with a beam of 46 ft 3 in (14.1 m). The vessel was powered by a triple expansion steam engine turning one propeller and had a maximum speed of 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph). [1] The vessel was constructed by the Uraga Dry Dock Co. Ltd in Uraga, Japan with the yard number 166 and completed in August 1920. The ship was constructed on behalf of the United States Government and acquired by the Sword Steam Ship Line Inc. in 1931. [1] [2] Eastern Sword was registered in New York, New York. [1]

Sinking

Eastern Sword, operated by Alcoa Steamship Company, departed New York with seven officers and twenty-nine crew members, en route to Georgetown, British Guiana in ballast to pick up a load of bauxite. [1] [3] The vessel made a stop at Trinidad and for the entire route, she was unescorted. At about 0345 on 4 May 1942, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-162 about twelve miles (19 km) off the Georgetown Light, Trinidad. The ship had been traveling at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) when attacked. [3] Two torpedoes struck in quick succession on the port side at the #4 hold, aft of the midship house, causing the ship to settle rapidly by the stern. The ship sank quickly on an even keel with 15 feet (4.6 m) of her mainmast above water at 7°10′N57°58′W / 7.167°N 57.967°W / 7.167; -57.967 (Eastern Sword) Coordinates: 7°10′N57°58′W / 7.167°N 57.967°W / 7.167; -57.967 (Eastern Sword) . [2] [3] The explosion had destroyed the radio shack, preventing a distress message from being sent. Three officers and nine crewmen abandoned ship in one lifeboat and landed the next day at Georgetown. One crewman was picked up from a raft by the fishing boat Ocean Star on 6 May and landed in Georgetown. The remaining crew were lost. [3]

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Sword Line Inc. was a steamship company founded by Charilaos "Charles" G. Poulacos and Abbott Abercrombie in New York City in 1933. Sword Line Inc. had shipping routes from Atlantic ports to and Gulf of Mexico ports. Charilaos "Charles" G. Poulacos and Abbott Abercrombie purchased the ship Eastern Sword in 1932. The Eastern Sword was a 3,785-ton cargo ship built in 1920 at the Uraga Dry Dock Co. Ltd, at Uraga, Japan. The ship sank after being hit by a torpedo from German submarine U-162 on May 4, 1942 twelve miles (19 km) off the coast of Georgetown, Guyana. The Eastern Sword had a crew of 38 and only 13 survived the attack. Sword Line Inc. was active in supporting the World War II effort.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Eastern Sword (2220803)" . Miramar Ship Index . Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Eastern Sword". uboat.net. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Browning Jr., Robert M. (15 June 2011). United States Merchant Marine Casualties of World War II (Revised ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc., Publishers. p. 81. ISBN   978-0-7864-4600-1.
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