ear-fajans

TRAINING ORGANIZATION
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE CADET CORPS
39 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y.

April 22, 1943

CONFIDENTIAL

From:  Cadet-Midshipman Wayne Douglas FAJANS, Fourth Class, E-2 USMMCC
To:                  Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via:                 District Merchant Marine Cadet Instructor, New York.
Subject:             Loss of the SS JAMES OGLETHORPE, Report on

1. We sailed from New York, on March 8, 1943, in a convoy composed of more than 40 ships and an escort consisting of only two 4 stack destroyers and three Canadian corvettes. The weather was the usual kind experienced during this time of year in the North Atlantic, i.e., dirty and sloppy seas.
2. During the evening of March 16, several ships in the convoy were sunk by enemy torpedoes. The writer returned to the crew at the aft four inch gun, and while at this station noticed the conning tower of a submarine on the starboard side. This fact was reported to the Gunnery Officer but as far as the writer knows, no action was taken and this was the only time any enemy craft was observed.
3. At 2133, zone plus 2, of the same evening and while a heavy sea was kicking up, our ship was hit by a torpedo on the starboard side, abreast of No. 2 hatch. Our ship began to settle but it turned out that it did not sink, however, the conditions appeared much against us, and we were given permission by the Master to abandon the ship at our own discretion and the major part of the crew proceeded to do so at once. The writer’s station was in No. 5 boat and while it was being lowered, the forward fall carried away, causing about 30 men to be spilled into the water. This incident naturally created considerable confusion and several men lost their lives.
4. About fifteen men managed to keep afloat by hanging on to loose boxes, lumber and other articles floating in the water. At about midnight, the H.M.S. BEVERLY, a destroyer, hove to and picked up four men floating in the water, including the writer.
5. We were well taken care of while aboard the destroyer, and it continued its escort duty until arrival at the Irish Coast when it proceeded to Londonderry, Ireland, where we were landed and eventually repatriated.

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April 22, 1943

C O N F I D E N T I A L

Cadet File No:        43-2547
USNR File No:         181985

From: Cadet-Midshipman Wayne Douglas FAJANS, Third Class, (E-2) USMMCC
To:                   Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via:                  District Cadet Supervisor, New York
Subject:              SS JAMES OGLETHORPE – loss of

1.           Subject Vessel sailed from New York, on March 8, 1943, in a convoy composed of more than 40 ships and an escort consisting of only two 4 stack destroyers and three Canadian corvettes. The weather was the usual kind experienced during this time of year in the North Atlantic, i.e., dirty and sloppy seas.
2.           During the evening of March 16, several ships in the convoy were sunk by enemy torpedoes. The writer reported to the crew at the aft four inch gun, and while at this station noticed the conning tower of a submarine on the starboard side. This fact was reported to the Gunnery Officer but as far as the writer knows, no action was taken and this was the only time any enemy craft was observed.

(continued)

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Copies made   32
Distribution only as follows:

1. Rear Admiral E. S. Land, USN (Ret.) 17. Lt. J. Kelly, USMS
2. Capt. Edward Macauley, USN (Ret.)          18. Lt. Comdr. H. A. Burch, USNR
3. Mr. Telfair Knight                         19. Rear Admiral A. B. Randall, USNR
4. Capt. J. H. Tomb, USN (Ret.)        20. Mr. J. C. Cutler, VISA
5. Comdr. R. N. Sheaf, USNR                   21. Mr. Bruk Rusk, VISA
6. Comdr. Patrick Brennan, USNR        22. Mr. S. B. Schall, VISA
7. Comdr. A. C. Brady, USNR                   23. Lt. Stanton H. Delaplane, USMS
8. Lt. Comdr. H. R. McPhee, USNR              24. Lt. Stephen Wanning, USMA
9. Comdr. B. H. Dodson, USNR                  25. Lt. M Breeco, USNR
10. Capt. Giles C. Stedman, USNR        26. Rear Admiral H. A. Wiley, USN (Ret.)
11. Lt. Comdr. E. S. Hochull, USNR             27. Capt. R. R. McNulty, USN (Ret.)
12. Lt. Comdr. Powers, USNR                    28. Comdr. W. B. Tucker, USNR
13. Capt. Felix Johnson, USN                   29. Comdr. G. E. Lindley, USNR
14. Comdr. J. J. Tunney, USNR                  30. Lt. Comdr. W. F. Thornton, USNR
15. Lt. F. Riosenberg, Jr., USMS        31. J. R. Sandera, USNR
16. Comdr. Paul S Maguire, USNR         32. Lt. Comdr. E Waters, USNR

1.            At 2133, zone plus 2, of the same evening and while a heavy sea was kicking up, subject vessel was hit by a torpedo on the starboard side, abreast of No. 2 hatch. The ship began to settle but did not sink. Conditions appeared so adverse, however, that, permission was given by the Master to abandon the ship at discretion and the major part of the crew proceeded to do so at once. The writer’s station was in No. 5 boat and while it was being lowered, the forward fall carried away, causing about 30 men to be spilled into the water. This incident naturally created considerable confusion and several men lost their lives.
2.            About fifteen men managed to keep afloat by hanging on to loose boxes, lumber and other articles floating in the water. At about midnight, the HMS BEVERLY, a destroyer, hove to and picked up four men floating in the water, including the writer.
3.          Survivors were well taken care of while aboard the destroyer, which continued its escort duty until arrival at the Irish Coast when she proceeded to Londonderry, Ireland, and landed survivors. Repatriation followed.

Signed (Wayne Douglas Fajans)

Cadet-Midshipman Wayne Douglas FAJANS, Third Class, (E-2), USMMCC

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FIRST ENDORSEMENT                                                             April 22, 1943

From:                 District Cadet Supervisor, New York
To:                   Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps

1.         Forwarded.

     Signed (C. P. Jensen)

    Lt. Comdr. C. P. Jensen, USNR

 By Direction