SS Empire Barracuda
{{short description|US-built cargo steamship that was sunk in 1942}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image |Ship image= Sacandaga 1919 Louis Claes.jpg |Ship caption= Sacandaga in Antwerp in the 1920s or early 1930s }} {{Infobox ship career |Hide header= |Ship name= *1918: Sacandaga
|Ship namesake= *1918: Sacandaga River
|Ship owner= *1919: United States Shipping Board
|Ship operator= *1919: Emergency Fleet Corporation
|Ship registry= *1919: {{flagicon|United States|1912}} Philadelphia |Ship route= |Ship ordered= |Ship builder= American International Shipbuilding Co, Hog Island, PA |Ship original cost= |Ship yard number= 494 |Ship laid down= 20 March 1918 |Ship launched= 29 October 1918 |Ship completed= 12 January 1919 |Ship maiden voyage= |Ship refit= 1932 |Ship identification= *US official number 217429
|Ship fate= sunk by torpedo, 1942 |Ship status= |Ship notes= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics |Hide header= |Header caption= |Ship class= Design 1022 cargo steamship |Ship tonnage= {{GRT|5735}}, {{NRT|3445}}, {{DWT|7500}} |Ship displacement= |Ship length= {{cvt|390.0|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship beam= {{cvt|54.2|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship draught= |Ship depth= {{cvt|27.6|ft|abbr=on}} |Ship decks= 2 |Ship power= 1 × steam turbine + reduction gearing; 600 NHP; 2,500 ihp |Ship propulsion= 1 × screw |Ship speed= {{convert|12|kn|km/h|0}} |Ship capacity= |Ship crew= 1942: 47, + 5 DEMS gunners |Ship armament= 1942: 1 × 4-inch or 4.7-inch naval gun; 8 × machine guns |Ship sensors= *by 1926: submarine signalling
|Ship notes= }} |
SS Empire Barracuda was a Design 1022 cargo steamship. She was built in 1919 for the United States Shipping Board (USSB) as Sacandaga. American Diamond Lines was operating her by 1926; and in 1931 bought her and renamed her Black Heron. In 1941 the United Kingdom Ministry of Shipping bought her, and renamed her Empire Barracuda. In 1942, a German U-boat sank her by torpedo, killing 13 of the people aboard her.
''Sacandaga''
The American International Shipbuilding Co of Hog Island, Philadelphia built the ship for the USSB as yard number 494.{{harvnb|Mitchell|Sawyer|1995|p=414}} She was laid down on 20 March 1918; launched on 20 October 1918;{{csr|register=MSI|id=2217439|access-date=6 April 2009}} and completed on 12 January 1919.{{cite web |url= http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergency/wwone/aisc.htm |title=American International Shipbuilding Corp., Philadelphia PA |publisher=Shipbuilding History |access-date=4 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081024141944/http://www.shipbuildinghistory.com/history/shipyards/4emergency/wwone/aisc.htm |archive-date=24 October 2008}} Her registered length was {{cvt|390.0|ft|abbr=on}}; her beam was {{cvt|54.2|ft|abbr=on}}; and her depth was {{cvt|27.6|ft|abbr=on}}. Her tonnages were {{GRT|5735}}; {{NRT|3445}};{{harvnb|Lloyd's Register 1919|loc=SAB–SAD}} and about {{DWT|7500}}.{{cite news |title=British Seek Ships of Black Diamond |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=23 November 1940 |page=31 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/11/23/113119022.html?pageNumber=31}} She had a single screw, driven by a General Electric steam turbine via double reduction gearing. She had three water-tube boilers, and their furnaces were fuelled with heavy fuel oil.{{sfn|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1919|p=460}} Her turbine was rated at 600 NHP or 2,500 ihp,{{harvnb|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1919|p=159}} and gave her a speed of {{convert|12|kn|km/h}}. The USSB registered Sacandaga at Philadelphia. Her US official number was 217429, and her code letters were LPKQ.
By 1926, Sacandaga was equipped with submarine signalling,{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1926|loc=SAC–SAE}} and she was one of seven USSB ships that American Diamond Lines was using on its transatlantic cargo service to Antwerp in Belgium. The company was also running eight USSB ships on its transatlantic route to Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In March 1926, the United States Postmaster General awarded American Diamond Lines a contract to carry mail on both routes.{{cite news |last=Carter |first=John |title=Ships Under American Flag Obtain Federal Assistance |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=21 March 1936 |page=206 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1926/03/21/104203807.html?pageNumber=206}}
''Black Heron''
In 1931, American Diamond Lines bought six USSB ships, including Sacandaga, for its transatlantic cargo service.{{cite news |title=Express Freighter off to set Record |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=17 July 1932 |page=62 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1932/07/17/100836182.html?pageNumber=62}} Her new owner registered her in New York.{{sfn|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1932|pp=160, 161, 921}}{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1931|loc=SAB–SAC}} In 1932, the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company refitted her in Kearny, New Jersey, and she was renamed Black Heron.{{sfn|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1933|pp=24, 25, 945}}{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1932|loc=Supplement, B}}
By 1934, Black Heron was equipped with an echo sounding device. Also by 1934, her wireless telegraph call sign was KESC, and this had superseded her code letters.{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1934|loc=BLA}} By 1935, she was equipped with wireless direction finding.{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1935|loc=BIY–BLA}}
In 1937 or '38, the company renamed itself Black Diamond Lines.{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1937|loc=BLA}} By 1939, its ships operated from Weehawken, New Jersey. Black Heron operated between Baltimore, Boston, Newport News, New York, and Norfolk in the United States; and Antwerp, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam in the Low Countries.{{cite web |title=Black Diamond Lines |work=maritime timetable images |publisher=Björn Larsson |access-date=4 April 2009 |url= http://www.timetableimages.com/maritime/images/bdl.htm}}
=Second World War=
In November 1939, the US government imposed a "Neutrality Zone" around parts of Europe, which stopped Black Diamond Line from using US-registered ships for its transatlantic cargo services. By 14 December that year, it had chartered all but one of its fleet to other operators. The States Marine Corporation chartered Black Heron to trade between the Far East and ports in the Gulf of Mexico.{{cite news |title=Black Diamond Line Disposes of 7 Ships |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=14 December 1939 |page=55 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1939/12/14/112732329.html?pageNumber=55}}
In November 1940, Black Diamond applied to the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) for permission to sell eight of its ships to UK shipping interests. It was reported that Cunard-White Star Line sought to buy Black Heron and one of her sister ships, Black Tern.{{cite news |title=Britain Seeks More Ships |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=26 November 1940 |page=3 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/11/26/113119910.html?pageNumber=3}} In fact, it may have been that the UK Ministry of Shipping sought to buy the ships, and place them under Cunard-White Star management. On 3 December, the USMC agreed to the sale of only four of the eight Black Diamond ships: Black Heron and Back Tern, which Cunard-White Star would manage; and Black Condor and {{SS|Black Osprey||2}}, which Cairn Line of Newcastle upon Tyne would manage.{{cite news |title=9 Officials Meet |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=4 December 1940 |page=1 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1940/12/04/91588770.html?pageNumber=1}}
=Fire in Brooklyn=
File:American Aircraft in Royal Air Force Service 1939-1945- Douglas Db-7 Havoc. ATP10433C.jpg ]]
Black Heron loaded a mixed cargo in New York: mattresses, blankets, used clothing, children's sleeping garments, layettes, air raid shelter kits, medical supplies, and food for the American Red Cross; similar items from the British War Relief Society; but also materiel including aircraft parts, and three Douglas bombers as deck cargo.{{cite news |title=Planes for Britain Saved in Fire Here on Loaded Vessel |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times|date=11 January 1941 |page=1 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1941/01/11/85446215.html?pageNumber=1}}{{cite news |title=Fire on Freighter Called Accident |url-access=subscription |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 January 1941 |page=10 |via=Times Machine |url= https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1941/01/12/85266030.html?pageNumber=10}} The Douglas bombers may have been A-20 Havocs; which France had ordered; but which the UK bought after France capitulated in June 1940, and renamed the "Boston".
On 10 January 1941, Black Heron was moored on the south side of Pier 8 at the foot of Pineapple Street, Brooklyn. She had completed loading, her cargo, apart from 300 tons of steel. A welder was welding steel shackles to her deck to secure one of the Douglas aircraft, which was on the hatch cover of her number 3 hold. At about 17:30 hrs, his welding torch burnt a small hole in the deck, and he smelt burning in the hole below. He raised the alarm, but a cargo fire developed in the hold. Black Heron{{'}}s Second Officer alerted a police officer on the pier, who called the New York City Fire Department.
Two fireboats fought the fire; aided by the United States Coast Guard Cutter Hudson. The hatch to number 3 hold could not be opened; because of the bomber secured to it; so firefighters broke a hole in the deck. A Merritt-Chapman & Scott vessel equipped with a derrick stood by, ready to lift the bombers off the ship if necessary. New York City Police Department emergency squads and detectives, and a squad of FBI investigators, also attended the fire and its aftermath. New York Mayor La Guardia came to observe the operation. The fire was put out after an hour, and the bombers were undamaged, but caused damage estimated at about $150,000 to the aid supplies. A hearing the next day confirmed that the cause of the fire was entirely accidental, and there were no suspicious circumstances.
The ship's sailing was not delayed. She sailed to Halifax, Nova Scotia, where she joined Convoy HX 105. The convoy's escorts included the armed merchant cruiser HMS {{RMS|Ascania|1923|2}}, which was a converted Cunard liner. HX 105 left Halifax on 25 January 1941, and reached Liverpool safely on 9 February.{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy HX.105 |work=HX Convoy Series |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html}}
''Empire Barracuda''
By March 1941, Black Heron had been renamed Empire Barracuda.{{cite web |last=Cooper |first=Tony |title=Empire Barracuda (Br) |work=Shipping Movements |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://www.convoyweb.org.uk/movement/index.html?home.htm~movementmain}} She was registered in London; Her UK official number was 168073; and her call sign was GNPP.{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1940|loc=Supplement: E}}
On 12 March 1941, Empire Barracuda left Liverpool. She sailed with Convoy OB 297, which dispersed at sea on 17 March.{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy OB.297 |work=OA OB OG Convoy Series |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=6 April 2009 |url= http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/ob/index.html?ob297.htm~obmain}} She continued to Corpus Christi, Texas, where she loaded scrap iron. She returned via Halifax, where she joined Convoy HX 125B. This convoy had no escorts, but sustained no losses,{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy HX.125B |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html}} and Empire Barracuda safely reached Loch Ewe on 22 May. She continued around the north coast of Scotland to the Firth of Forth, where she called at Grangemouth and Leith, and then on 12 June anchored in Methil Roads.
On 18 June 1941, the ship left Loch Ewe. She reached New York on 3 July, and loaded steel. She returned via Halifax, where she joined Convoy HX 140. This convoy's escorts also included HMS Ascania. HX 140 sustained no losses to enemy action, and Empire Barracuda reached Loch Ewe on 6 August.{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy HX.140 |work=HX Convoy Series |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html}} She continued via Methil Roads to Middlesbrough, where she arrived n 10 August.
File:USS Kearny (DD-432) circa 1940.jpg escorts of Convoy HX 151]]
On 22 August 1941, the ship left Loch Ewe. She joined Convoy ON 9, which had left Liverpool on 20 August, and dispersed at sea on 25 August.{{cite web |title=Convoy ON 9 |work=Warsailors |publisher=Siri Holm Lawson |access-date=6 April 2009 |url= http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/on9.html}} She reached New York on 3 September 1941, where she loaded steel. She returned via Halifax, where she joined Convoy HX 151.{{cite web |title=Convoy HX 151 |work=Warsailors |publisher=Siri Holm Lawson |access-date=6 April 2009 |url= http://www.warsailors.com/convoys/hx151.html}} On this return voyage she carried three passengers. The USA was still neutral at that time, but four United States Navy destroyers formed part of the convoy's escort for one week of the voyage.{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy HX.151 |work=HX Convoy Series |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://www.convoyweb.org.uk/hx/index.html}} Empire Barracuda reached the Firth of Clyde on 5 October. On 10 October she anchored at Tail of the Bank, and then called at Greenock.
From 10 October, Empire Barracuda was in Glasgow, loading stores destined for Gibraltar. By that time, her defensive armament was one 4-inch or 4.7-inch naval gun, and eight machine guns.{{cite web |last=Hague |first=Arnold |title=Convoy OS.11 |work=OS & OS/KMS Convoy Series |publisher=Don Kindell, Convoyweb |access-date=6 April 2009 |url= http://www.convoyweb.org.uk/oskms/index.html?os011.htm~osmain}} On 4 November she moved to Tail of the Bank, and then to an anchorage in the Firth of Clyde. On 7 November she joined Convoy OS 11, which had started from Liverpool, and was bound for Freetown, Sierra Leone. In due course, she and another cargo ship, Empire Panther, detached from OS 11 and safely reached Gibraltar. Empire Panther was the another former USSB cargo ship.{{sfn|Lloyd's Register 1941|loc=EMP}}
=Loss=
{{location map|Morocco|width=
|lat=35.5
|long=-6.283
|caption=Approximate position off Morocco where Empire Barracuda was sunk.
|relief=yes
}}
In December 1941, Empire Barracuda and Empire Panther left Gibraltar, escorted by the corvette {{HMS|Coltsfoot|K140|6}}. Empire Barracuda{{'}}s cargo was 5,800 tons of naval and military stores, including munitions, and she was bound for Suez in Egypt via South Africa. Her Master was Captain Frederick Ridley. Her complement was 52 men, including five DEMS gunners.{{cite web |last=Helgason |first=Guðmundur |title=Empire Barracuda |work=uboat.net |access-date=9 June 2025 |url= https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/1226.html}}
On 15 December, {{GS|U-77|1940|2}} attacked the small convoy. She reported hitting a cargo ship with one torpedo at 04:10 hrs; a tanker at 04:30 hrs; and that both ships were sinking. Empire Barracuda sank at position {{coord|35|30|N|6|17|W|display=inline,title}}, and ten members of her crew and three of her gunners were killed. HMS Coltsfoot rescued 39 survivors, and landed them at Gibraltar. Those lilled aboard Empire Barracuda are commemorated in the Second World War section of Tower Hill Memorial, London.{{cite web |last=Watson |first=Brian |title=The Merchant Navy Memorial |work=Benjidog Historical Research Resources |access-date=7 February 2022 |url= https://www.benjidog.co.uk/Tower%20Hill/ }}
References
{{reflist}}
Bibliography
- {{cite book |author=Bureau of Navigation |year=1919 |title=Fifty-First Annual List of Merchant Vessels of the United States |place=Washington, DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |via=HyperWar |ref={{sfnref|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1919}} |url= https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USMM/Annual_List/1919.pdf}}
- {{cite book |author=Bureau of Navigation |year=1932 |title=Merchant Vessels of the United States |place=Washington, DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |via=HyperWar |ref={{sfnref|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1932}} |url= https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USMM/Annual_List/1932.pdf}}
- {{cite book |author=Bureau of Navigation |year=1933 |title=Merchant Vessels of the United States |place=Washington, DC |publisher=Government Printing Office |via=HyperWar |ref={{sfnref|Merchant Vessels of the United States 1933}} |url= https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AMH/USMM/Annual_List/1933.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1919 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1919}} |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1920ST/page/n915/mode/1up}}
- {{cite book |year=1926 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Internet Archive |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1926}} |url= https://archive.org/details/HECROS1927ST/page/n1000/mode/1up}}
- {{cite book |year=1931 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1931}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/31/31b1048.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1932 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1932}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/32/32b1016.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1933 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1933}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0117.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1934 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1934}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/34/34b0117.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1935 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1935}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/35/35b0112.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1937 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1937}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/37/37b0117.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1940 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=I.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons. Trawlers, Tugs, Dredgers, etc. |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1940}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/40/40a1063.pdf}}
- {{cite book |year=1941 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 Tons Gross and Over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |via=Southampton City Council |ref={{sfnref|Lloyd's Register 1941}} |url= https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/41/41b0276.pdf}}
- {{cite book |last1=Mitchell |first1=WH |last2=Sawyer |first2=LA |year=1995 |title=The Empire Ships |page=414 |place=London, New York, Hamburg, Hong Kong |publisher=Lloyd's of London Press |isbn=1-85044-275-4}}
{{Design 1022 ships}}
{{AIS Ships}}
{{Empire ships}}
{{Cunard ships}}
{{December 1941 shipwrecks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Empire Barracuda}}
Category:1941 fires in the United States
Category:Cargo ships of the United States
Category:Design 1022 ships of the Ministry of War Transport
Category:Maritime incidents in December 1941
Category:Ships sunk by German submarines in World War II
Category:Steamships of the United Kingdom