SS Empire Barracuda
Encyclopedia
{|Empire Barracuda was a 4,972 GRT cargo ship
which was built in 1918 for the United States Shipping Board
(USSB) as Sacandaga. She was sold to American Diamond Lines Inc in 1932 and renamed Black Heron. In 1941 she passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and was renamed Empire Barracuda. She was torpedo
ed on 15 December 1942 and sunk by U-77
.
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
as yard number 494. She was laid down on 20 March 1918, launched on 20 October 1918 and completed on 12 January 1919. She was built for the USSB, but was sold in 1919 to the Carolina Co, and placed under the management of American Palmetto Line. In 1925 she was returned to the ownership of the USSB. In 1931, she was sold to American Diamond Lines Inc and in 1932 Sacandaga was renamed Black Heron. In 1939, Black Heron was serving Baltimore
, Boston
, Newport News, New York
, and Norfolk
in the United States
and Antwerp, in Belgium
with Amsterdam
and Rotterdam
in the Netherlands
.
. Although some matresses andmedical supplies were destroyed, three bomber
s being carried were undamaged. In 1941, Black Heron was transferred to the MoWT and renamed Empire Barracuda. Her port of registry was London
and she was placed under the management of Cunard White Star Line Ltd
. Empire Barracuda was a member of a number of convoys in the Second World War.
OB 297
Convoy OB 297 sailed from Liverpool
on 12 March 1941 and dispersed at sea on 17 March. Empire Barracuda was in ballast and bound for Corpus Christi
, Texas
.
ON 9
Convoy ON 9 which sailed from Liverpool on 20 August 1941 and dispersed at sea on 25 August. Empire Barracuda was bound for New York
.
HX 151
Convoy HX 151 sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia
on 22 September 1941 and arrived at Liverpool on 7 October.
OS 11
Convoy OS 11 sailed from Liverpool on 7 November 1941 and arrived at Freetown
, Sierra Leone
on 21 November. Empire Barracuda was carrying a cargo of stores, outbound from the Clyde
and her final destination was Gibraltar
.
under the command of Heinrich Schonder
and sunk at 35°30′N 06°17′W while on a voyage from Gibraltar to Cape Town
and Suez
. Nine crew members and four DEMS
gunners were killed. Thirty eight crew members and one DEMS gunner were rescued by and landed at Gibraltar. Those lost on Empire Barracuda are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial
, London.
, Schenectady
, New York
. She could make 12 knots.
. Sacandaga and Black Heron had the US Official Number 217429.. Empire Barracuda had the UK Official Number 168073 and used the Code Letters
GNPP.
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
which was built in 1918 for the United States Shipping Board
United States Shipping Board
The United States Shipping Board was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act , 7 September 1916. It was formally organized 30 January 1917. It was sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board.http://www.gwpda.org/wwi-www/Hurley/bridgeTC.htm | The Bridge To France by Edward N....
(USSB) as Sacandaga. She was sold to American Diamond Lines Inc in 1932 and renamed Black Heron. In 1941 she passed to the Ministry of War Transport (MoWT) and was renamed Empire Barracuda. She was torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
ed on 15 December 1942 and sunk by U-77
German submarine U-77 (1940)
German submarine U-77 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine built by the Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack. The boat was sunk on 28 March 1943 east of Cartagena, Spain, in position by four depth charges and one bomb from two British Lockheed Hudson aircraft.-Ships sunk or...
.
History
Sacandaga was built by American International Shipbuilding Co, Hog IslandHog Island, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Hog Island is the historic name of an area southwest of the central part of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania along the Delaware River, to the west of the mouth of the Schuylkill River. Philadelphia International Airport now sits on the land that was once Hog Island....
, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
as yard number 494. She was laid down on 20 March 1918, launched on 20 October 1918 and completed on 12 January 1919. She was built for the USSB, but was sold in 1919 to the Carolina Co, and placed under the management of American Palmetto Line. In 1925 she was returned to the ownership of the USSB. In 1931, she was sold to American Diamond Lines Inc and in 1932 Sacandaga was renamed Black Heron. In 1939, Black Heron was serving Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Newport News, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and Norfolk
Norfolk, Virginia
Norfolk is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. With a population of 242,803 as of the 2010 Census, it is Virginia's second-largest city behind neighboring Virginia Beach....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Antwerp, in Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
with Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
War service
On 10 January 1941, a fire broke out aboard Black Heron whilst she was moored at Brooklyn Pier, New YorkNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Although some matresses andmedical supplies were destroyed, three bomber
Bomber
A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...
s being carried were undamaged. In 1941, Black Heron was transferred to the MoWT and renamed Empire Barracuda. Her port of registry was London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and she was placed under the management of Cunard White Star Line Ltd
Cunard Line
Cunard Line is a British-American owned shipping company based at Carnival House in Southampton, England and operated by Carnival UK. It has been a leading operator of passenger ships on the North Atlantic for over a century...
. Empire Barracuda was a member of a number of convoys in the Second World War.
OB 297
Convoy OB 297 sailed from Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
on 12 March 1941 and dispersed at sea on 17 March. Empire Barracuda was in ballast and bound for Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, Texas
Corpus Christi is a coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas. The county seat of Nueces County, it also extends into Aransas, Kleberg, and San Patricio counties. The MSA population in 2008 was 416,376. The population was 305,215 at the 2010 census making it the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
ON 9
Convoy ON 9 which sailed from Liverpool on 20 August 1941 and dispersed at sea on 25 August. Empire Barracuda was bound for New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
HX 151
Convoy HX 151 sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
on 22 September 1941 and arrived at Liverpool on 7 October.
OS 11
Convoy OS 11 sailed from Liverpool on 7 November 1941 and arrived at Freetown
Freetown
Freetown is the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa. It is a major port city on the Atlantic Ocean located in the Western Area of the country, and had a city proper population of 772,873 at the 2004 census. The city is the economic, financial, and cultural center of...
, Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
on 21 November. Empire Barracuda was carrying a cargo of stores, outbound from the Clyde
River Clyde
The River Clyde is a major river in Scotland. It is the ninth longest river in the United Kingdom, and the third longest in Scotland. Flowing through the major city of Glasgow, it was an important river for shipbuilding and trade in the British Empire....
and her final destination was Gibraltar
Gibraltar
Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula at the entrance of the Mediterranean. A peninsula with an area of , it has a northern border with Andalusia, Spain. The Rock of Gibraltar is the major landmark of the region...
.
Sinking
On 15 December 1941, Empire Barracuda was torpedoed by U-77German submarine U-77 (1940)
German submarine U-77 was a Type VIIC U-boat of the Kriegsmarine built by the Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack. The boat was sunk on 28 March 1943 east of Cartagena, Spain, in position by four depth charges and one bomb from two British Lockheed Hudson aircraft.-Ships sunk or...
under the command of Heinrich Schonder
Heinrich Schonder
Heinrich Schonder was a German U-boat commander in World War II and recipient of the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross...
and sunk at 35°30′N 06°17′W while on a voyage from Gibraltar to Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
and Suez
Suez
Suez is a seaport city in north-eastern Egypt, located on the north coast of the Gulf of Suez , near the southern terminus of the Suez Canal, having the same boundaries as Suez governorate. It has three harbors, Adabya, Ain Sokhna and Port Tawfiq, and extensive port facilities...
. Nine crew members and four DEMS
Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships
Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship was an Admiralty Trade Division program established in June, 1939, to arm 5,500 British merchant ships with an adequate defence against enemy submarines and aircraft...
gunners were killed. Thirty eight crew members and one DEMS gunner were rescued by and landed at Gibraltar. Those lost on Empire Barracuda are commemorated at the Tower Hill Memorial
Tower Hill Memorial
The Tower Hill Memorial is a national war memorial on the south side of Trinity Square Gardens, just to the north of the Tower of London. It commemorates those from the Merchant Navy and fishing fleets who died during both world wars and have "no grave but the sea".The First World War memorial...
, London.
Propulsion
She was powered by a double reduction geared steam turbine of 600 hp which was built by General Electric CorpGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, Schenectady
Schenectady, New York
Schenectady is a city in Schenectady County, New York, United States, of which it is the county seat. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 66,135...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. She could make 12 knots.
Official number and code letters
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO NumbersIMO ship identification number
The IMO ship identification number is made of the three letters "IMO" followed by the seven-digit number assigned to all ships by IHS Fairplay when constructed. This is a unique seven digit number that is assigned to propelled, sea-going merchant ships of 100 GT and above...
. Sacandaga and Black Heron had the US Official Number 217429.. Empire Barracuda had the UK Official Number 168073 and used the Code Letters
Code letters
Code letters were a method of identifying ships before the introduction of modern navigation aids. Later, with the introduction of radio, code letters were also used as radio callsigns.-History:...
GNPP.