National Marine Bank Building
Water & Gay
Baltimore -2, Maryland
May 27, 1943
CONFIDENTIAL
From: Cadet-Midshipman James M. ELLIOTT, Jr., Second Class, (D-1), USMMCC
To: Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: Cadet Instructor – Baltimore
Subject: SS HARVEY W. SCOTT – Loss of
- At 0800 on March 3, 1943 subject vessel left Durban, South Africa, in a convoy bound for the Persian Gulf.
- On March 3, 1943 at 2325 vessel was struck by one torpedo just aft of #2 hold on the port side.
- Writer was in bed at the time and immediately after the explosion, reported to his station on the bridge as messenger to the captain. He was then ordered to carry Code Box from the bridge down to boat deck and to stand by same. After boats had been placed in water and all hands safely left the ship, the writer was ordered to lower Code Box into lifeboat. He was then ordered into the boat, being the next to last man to leave the ship, followed by the captain. The Code Box was dropped over the side of the lifeboat.
- The ship sank about twelve minutes after the four lifeboats had cleared the ship’s side. Approximately five minutes after the disappearance of the vessel, a series of explosions was felt beneath the lifeboat. Following this an arc of 20 mm tracer bullets swept the sea, the source of which was not known. This lasted for about 30 seconds and was followed by the firing of 3 parachute flares. During this time and for about a half hour thereafter, all lights and cigarettes were extinguished and the occupants of the lifeboats remained motionless.
- Following this, with #1 lifeboat in tow, an attempt was made to contact the other boats. The boat motor was started and while idling about the scene a cry for help was heard. Following the cry to its source, approximately two hundred men from other torpedoed ships in the convoy were observed to be swimming in the water. The captain then ordered #1 boat to cast off and both boats began pulling the men aboard. After having saved as many of the men as possible, a line was again made fast to #1 boat and both boats proceeded toward land, leaving the remaining men who were in the water to their fate. During this time, nothing was seen of the submarine or the escort vessels.
National Marine Bank Building
Water & Gay
Baltimore -2, Maryland
-2-
6. At approximately 0530 on the morning of March 4, an airplane was heard flying overhead and lights were flashed into the air. The plane signaled down that help was coming. At 1400 land was sighted and at 1900 a landing was made on the African coast just below Port St. Johns. A family who lived nearby met the boats upon their landing and “all hands,” including five officers and 2 cadet-midshipmen, were taken into their home.
7. On the morning of March 5, transportation was arranged and the crew was taken to Umtata, from there to Kokstad, and then on to Durban. While in Durban, it was learned that 9 out of 11 ships in the convoy were sunk and the remainder of the convoy recalled. The writer stayed in Durban until April 3, 1943 when he was assigned to the MV CAPE HENRY bound for the United States, and arrived in Baltimore on May 20, 1943.
8. During the time spent in South Africa, the crew was treated exceptionally well and everything possible was done for their comfort by the American Consul and the local inhabitants. In appreciation of this fact, two plaques were purchased by the officers and men. One was presented to the family that took us in the first night ashore, and one was presented to the town of Umtata.
Signed _________________________________
Cadet-Midshipman James M. Elliott, Second Class, (D-1), USMMCC
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FIRST ENDORSEMENT May 27, 1943
From: Cadet Instructor – Baltimore
To: Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Corps
- Forwarded.
SAMPSON SCOTT
Lt. Commander, USMS