Daily Event for March 7, 2010

One of the ugly ducklings built at Hog Island the Independence Hall was built too late for the Great War, but 22 years after she was launched she was still in service and now she was in the Second World War. Early in the war, before the U.S.A. was involved the Independence Hall became a rescue ship when she picked up the crews of two ships lost to U-boats. On Oct. 17, 1939 SS Yorkshire and SS City of Mandalay were sailing in convoy HG-3 when they were sunk by U-37 and U-46 respectively. Almost 300 souls were taken aboard the Independence Hall and later landed at Bordeaux, France.

On March 7, 1942 while outbound in convoy SC-73 the Independence Hall encountered some kind of trouble and became a straggler, off Sable Island she hit a reef and broke in two and sank taking ten of her forty-seven man crew with her.
© 2010 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com



Roll of Honor
In memory of those who lost their lives in
SS Independence Hall
"As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

Name
Rate
Curott, Eugene A.
Master
Edwards, Frederick L.
Chief Mate
Ginivan, Edward
Oiler
Jones, Oliver M.
2nd Mate
McCray, Paul
Able Seaman
Nathan, Richard
Wiper
Sarabia, Vibencio
Chief Cook
This list contains the names of seven known casualties, published sources state that 10 men were lost
when the ship sank, if you can help complete this list please email the webmaster.
 
1.
June 19, 2015

I have been browsing through some info re the vessel above (Independence Hall). I have come across the known names of souls lost on this vessel. However, there is one name missing, his name was Joe Carroll, an Irish able seaman. I am definite that this man was on board when the vessel went into difficult water in March 1942. I am trying to get this confirmed, as it was my late father who told us about this accident many times, in fact Joe Carroll was my fathers uncle. If his name can't be found on the vessels record, I was wondering if any photos of this vessel can be located. I would appreciate any help.

Yours sincerely,
Michael J. "Joe" O'Connor
Ireland
 

2.
Dec. 13, 2020

This first hand account of the rescue by the CO of HMS Witch may be of interest.
(SS Independence Hall (vandwdestroyerassociation.org.uk)

Bill Forster



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