File No. 43-8364
USNR No. 225023
CONFIDENTIAL
From: Cadet-Midshipman Alfred H. BERGMAN, Second Class (D-1), [ill.]
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet-Midshipman Supervisor, New York.
Subject: Loss of vessel SS JOHN BASCOM; Report on
1: The subject vessel departed from New York with a general cargo including foodstuffs, equipment for an Army hospital and high test gasoline. Her des-tination was Bari, Italy. Upon entering the Mediterranean Sea, the subject vessel joined a convoy of five other ships escorted by Italian coastal craft and proceeded to her port of discharge. The weather was clear and mild prior to the attack on the ship
2: On 2 December 1943, while the subject vessel was tied up to the key at Bari, waiting to discharge, at about 1915, the ship’s time, she was attacked by squadron of enemy bombing planes. During the attack, an ammunition ship, which was also tied up in the harbor, was hit by an aerial bomb and exploded with a terrific explosion. There is some doubt as to whether the subject vessel was hit by a bomb in #3 or #5 hold, or whether the concussion of the exploding ammunition ship caused the damage, but in either case, all hands were forced to abandon her.
3: the #4 lifeboat was employed as the rest of the lifeboats had been blown out of position and part of the crew was forced to swim ashore. The Captain did a great job as he was unusually cool and collected. Many of the ship’s company, including the writer, were severely burned as a result of the explosion and several hours after the attack, the crew was taken off the key by British soldiers in patrol boats. Immediate hospitalization was given to those who were wounded.
4: No enemy craft were sighted due to the darkness.
5: Cadet-Midshipman Leroy Heinse was at his station during the attack and was severely wounded. He showed unusual bravery by carrying on after his serious injury. He was later hospitalized in Bari and, as far the writer knows, has not yet recovered.
6: The writer was sent across Italy to Naples from which port he was given passage back to the United States.
C O N F I D E N T I A L 423 USMMC File No: 43-8364
USNR File No. 225023
23 February 1944
From: Cadet-Midshipman Alfred H. BERGMAN, Second Class (D-1), [ill.]
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet-Midshipman Supervisor, New York.
Subject: SS JOHN BASCOM – loss of
1: The subject vessel departed from New York with a general cargo including foodstuffs, equipment for an Army hospital and high test gasoline. Her des-tination was Bari, Italy. Upon entering the Mediterranean Sea, the subject vessel joined a convoy of five other ships escorted by Italian coastal craft and proceeded to her port of discharge. The weather was clear and mild prior to the attack on the ship
2: On 2 December 1943, while the subject vessel was tied up to the key at Bari, waiting to discharge, at about 1915, the ship’s time, she was attacked by squadron of enemy bombing planes. During the attack, an ammunition ship, which was also tied up in the harbor, was hit by an aerial bomb and exploded with a terrific explosion. There is some doubt as to whether the subject vessel was hit by a bomb in #3 or #5 hold, or whether the concussion of the exploding ammunition ship caused the damage, but in either case, all hands were forced to abandon her.
3: the #4 lifeboat was employed as the rest of the lifeboats had been blown out of position and part of the crew was forced to swim ashore. The Captain did a great job as he was unusually cool and collected. Many of the ship’s company, including the writer, were severely burned as a result of the explosion and several hours after the attack, the crew was taken off the key by British soldiers in patrol boats. Immediate hospitalization was given to those who were wounded.
4: No enemy craft were sighted due to the darkness.
5: Cadet-Midshipman Leroy Heinse was at his station during the attack and was severely wounded. He showed unusual bravery by carrying on after his serious injury. He was later hospitalized in Bari and, as far the writer knows, has not yet recovered.
6: The writer was sent across Italy to Naples from which port he was given passage back to the United States.
(Signed) Alfred H. Bergman
Cadet-Midshipman Alfred H. Bergman, Second Class, (D-1) USMMC
– – – – – – – –
FIRST ENDORSEMENT
23 February, 1944
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
1: Forwarded. Attention invited to the attached copy of discharge from a U. S. Army hospital, indicating the Cadet-Midshipman BERGMAN was severely burned during attack on his vessel. It is recommended that consideration be given him for thr award of a Mariners’ Medal
2: Attention is also invited to paragraph 5, further confirming the heroic actions of Cadet-Midshipman Leroy HEINSE, who was severely injured during the Bari attack. This office was verbally informed by Cadet-Midshipman BERGMAN that, due to the pressure created by the exploding ammunition ship, Cadet-Midshipman HEINSE’s abdomen was badly pitted with holes, caused by the interior pressure breaking through.
P BHENNAN
(Signed) G. S. Findlay, By direction.
HEADQUARTERS 7th STATION HOSPITAL.
Office of the Admissions & Disposition Officer
APO#774, U. S. Army
18 January 1944
Subject: Discharge of Merchant Seaman
To: American Consulate Shipping Officer, Bldg. B, Oran Port, Oran, Alg.
1: This is to certify that Midshipman Alfred H. BERGMAN, was admitted to this hospital on 26 December 1943and discharged 18 January 1944.
2: Diagnosis:
Burns, 2nd & 3rd degree, right hand
chemical, allegedly incurred from
Mustard Gas, during raid on Bari, through enemy actions, while he was
aboard the SS JOHN BASCOM, Bari, Italy on 2 December 1943.
3: Line of duty: Yes
4: Patient is now ready to perform full sea duty.
/s/ WILLIAM C. SCHAEFER
WILLIAM C. SCHAEFER
Captain, Medical Corps
Certified to be a true copy:
G. S. FINDLAY, Lt. Comdr. USNR
FIRST ENDORSEMENT.
23 February 1944
To: S-CC
1. Forwarded. Attention invited to the attached copy of discharge from a U. S. Army hospital, indicating that Cadet-Midshipman Bergman, was severely burned during this attack on his vessel. It is recommended that consideration be given for the award of a Mariners’ Medal
2. Attention is also invited to paragraph 5, further confirmer the heroic actions of Cadet-Midshipman Leroy Heinse, who was severely injured during the Bari attack. This office was verbally informed by Cadet-Midshipman Bergman that, due to the pressure created by the exploding ammunition ship, Cadet-Midshipman Heinse’s abdomen was badly pitted with holes, cause by the internal pressure breaking through.
P. BRENNAN
G. S. FINDLAY
By direction
Encl. (1)
Certified copy of hospital discharge.