TUSCANIA TORPEDOED BY GERMAN SUB OFF IRISH COAST
London, U.K. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, February 5, 1918, the United States steamship Tuscania* was torpedoed by German submarine UB-77 off the coast of Ireland.
The 14,384 ton vessel was part of British convoy HX-20 carrying 2397 American soldiers to Europe. The convoy system, initiated on May 24, 1917, was instrumental in protecting transport of American servicemen to Europe.
Two torpedoes were fired by the German sub. The first missed but the second hit the starboard side of the vessel. 2,187 Americans were rescued along with most of the British crew.
*SS Tuscania was a luxury liner of the Cunard Line named for the city in Italy. She was built by Alexander Stephen & Son, LTD & launched on September 4, 1914. SST was armed with a 4 inch naval gun.
SOURCE
"U.S. Steamship Tuscania is torpedoed and sinks", This Day in History, February 5, www.history.com/
London, U.K. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, February 5, 1918, the United States steamship Tuscania* was torpedoed by German submarine UB-77 off the coast of Ireland.
The 14,384 ton vessel was part of British convoy HX-20 carrying 2397 American soldiers to Europe. The convoy system, initiated on May 24, 1917, was instrumental in protecting transport of American servicemen to Europe.
Two torpedoes were fired by the German sub. The first missed but the second hit the starboard side of the vessel. 2,187 Americans were rescued along with most of the British crew.
*SS Tuscania was a luxury liner of the Cunard Line named for the city in Italy. She was built by Alexander Stephen & Son, LTD & launched on September 4, 1914. SST was armed with a 4 inch naval gun.
SOURCE
"U.S. Steamship Tuscania is torpedoed and sinks", This Day in History, February 5, www.history.com/
