C O N F I D E N T I A L
Cadet File No: 43-857
USNR File No: 232934
From: Cadet-Midshipman Patrick F. GETCHELL, Third Class, (D-2), USMMCC
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet Supervisor, New York.
Subject: SS James W. DENVER – loss of
1. Subject ship sailed from New York on April 1, 1943 bound for Casa Blanca, carrying a general military cargo. The number of ships in our convoy, and the number of escort ships was unknown, both to the writer and the members of the crew. Experienced good weather for almost the entire trip, although at the time of the torpedoing there was a heavy sea running.
2. At approximately 1700, ship’s time, on April 11th, the ship was hit by the torpedo, striking on the starboard bow. The position of the ship at this time was Lat. 28° 51’ North, Long. 25° 27’ West. At the time of the attack, the writer was not on watch and was in his quarters. Immediately after the general alarm sounded, the writer proceeded to the bridge and remained there until the “abandon ship” was sounded, then proceeded to the chart room, took the Second Mate’s sextant and went to #3 boat which was his designated station. The writer worked the forward falls and then got into the life boat.
3. Immediately after the “abandon ship” was sounded, the port boats were lowered. In the process of lowering the boats davit #6 boat, which had evidently been cracked by the explosion of the torpedo, gave way at the arm and scuttled the boat. After the port boats were lowered, the men proceeded to the starboard side and lowered all the boats under the Captain’s supervision.
4. At the time of the sinking, no enemy craft were sighted, but we believe that we sighted a periscope ten days after abandoning ship. There were no suspicious actions among the crew.
5. On May 4th, at about 2035, after 23 days in the boat, we sighted a light on the starboard beam. Sent up Very flares, and at 2130 we furled sails and started rowing. At 2200 we were alongside the Portugese steam trawler ALBUFEIRA. All hands came aboard and the lifeboat was scuttled. Landed in Lisbon, Portugal on May 10th and were met at the pier by representatives of the United States Consulate. After this, survivors were removed to a British hospital, were the writer remained for three days. Were taken to a hotel in Lisbon until June 14th, on which date left by Clipper at 0420, arriving New York at 1430, June 15th, 1943.
Signed (Patrick F. Getchell)
Cadet-Midshipman Patrick F. GETCHELL, Third Class, (D-2), USMMC
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
FIRST ENDORSNMENT
From: District Cadet Supervisor, New York
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
- Forwarded. Attention invited to the fact that these Cadet Midshipman spent 23 days in their lifeboat before being rescued.
TRAINGIN ORGANIZATION
U.S. MERCHANT MARINE CADET CORPS
39 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, N.Y.
June 16, 1943
CONFIDENTIAL
From: Cadet-Midshipman Patrick F. GETCHELL, Third Class, (D-2), USMMCC
To: Supervisor, U. S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet Supervisor, New York. Subject: Loss of vessel JAMES W. DENVERS; Report on
1. The ship to which the writer was attached left New York on April 1, 1943 bound for Casa Blanca, carrying a general military cargo. The number of ships in our convoy, and the number of escort ships was unknown, both to the writer and the members of the crew. We experienced good weather for almost the entire trip, although at the time of the torpedoing there was a heavy sea running.
2. At approximately 1700, ship’s time, on April 11th, the ship was hit by the torpedo, striking on the starboard bow. The position of the ship at this time was 28 deg. 51 min. N., longitude 25 deg. 27 min. W. At the time of the attack, the writer was not on watch and was in his quarters. Immediately after the general alarm sounded, the writer proceeded to the bridge and remained there until the “abandon ship” was sounded, after which he proceeded to the chart room, took the Second Mate’s sextant and went to #3 boat which was his designated station. The writer worked the forward falls and then got into the life boat.
3. Immediately after the “abandon ship” was sounded, the port boats were lowered. In the process of lowering the boats davit #6 boat, which had evidently been cracked by the explosion of the torpedo, gave way at the arm and scuttled the boat. After the port boats were lowered, the men proceeded to the starboard side and lowered all the boats under the Captain’s supervision.
4. At the time of the sinking, no enemy craft were sighted, but we believe that we sighted a periscope ten days after abandoning ship. There were no suspicious actions among the crew.
5. On May 4th, at about 2035, after 23 days in the boat, we sighted a light on the starboard beam. We sent up Very flares, and at 2130 we furled sails and started rowing. At 2200 we were alongside the Portugese steam trawler ALBUFEIRA. All hands came aboard, and we scuttled the life boat. We were landed in Lisbon, Portugal on May 10th and were met at the pier by representatives of the United States Consulate. After this we were removed to a British hospital, were the writer remained for three days. We were taken to a hotel in Lisbon until June 14th, when we left by Clipper at 0420, arriving in New York at 1430, June 15th.