WAR SHIPPING ADMINISTRATION
TRAINING ORGANIZATION
———
UNITIED STATES MERCHANT MARINE CADET CORPS
NATIONAL MARINE BANK BUILDING
BALTIMORE 2. MARYLAND
30 November, 1943
UNOFFICIAL MEMORANDUM
TO: LT Findlay
Some time ago the SS TIVIVIES of the United Fruit Company was in this harbor and I inspected Cadet-Midshipman Cornelius Golding. I understand via the grapevine that this ship was bombed a few weeks ago in the Mediterranean and one of the heroes of the aftermath of the bombing was Cadet-Midshipman, who, I understand, is now in the hospital in Oran and is probably disfigured for life with burns.
As I said, I only heard the above via the grapevine, but what I heard included that right after the bombing when the deck of the ship was being strafed by machine guns, this Cadet-Midshipman ran aft through the line of fire to cut loose a barrage balloon and his wounds were a result of his daring and bravery. Of course, these stories are sometimes magnified as they are passed from one person to another and from Africa to Baltimore but if part of what I heard is true, I believe some recognition should be given this Cadet-Midshipman.
It seems to me that the Gunnery Officer or the Captain would be in a good position to tell the true story of his alleged bravery.
Don’t you think it is worth looking into – perhaps you know the whole story and if so, forget this personal memorandum.
(Signed Sampson Scott)
SAMPSON SCOTT
Lt. Commander, USMS
File No. 43-6258
USNR No. 234307
CONFIDENTIAL
22 December 1943
From: Cadet—Midshipman Cornelius E. GOLDING, Second Class, (D-1), USMMCC
To: Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet-Midshipman Supervisor, New York.
Subject: Loss of Vessel SS TIVIVIES; Report on
1. The subject vessel departed from the port of Algeria bound for Oran with a cargo of 1800 tons of frozen meat when, at about 1850, on 21 October 1943 while she was about 15 miles of Cape Tenez, she was hit by a torpedo. About 1000 that day, the Master had received a communique from British Intelligence warning him to be on the lookout for an attack that evening. During the morning the convoy commodore ordered the barrage balloon to be taken down, but about 1845, Captain Peterson order the balloon to be put back up. While the balloon was being unreeled, 23 enemy planes came over, flying very low, strafing the ships and releasing torpedoes. The subject vessel and a British ship were hit by torpedoes, the subject vessel being hit in #4 hatch about five minutes after the attack started.
2. The writer was standing on #4 hatch together with the Chief Mate and the Bos’n when the torpedo exploded directly beneath them. The three men were blown about 20 feet in the air, the writer turning a somersault and landing on his back. The ship took a sudden list and sank within about 15 minutes.
3. The writer picked himself up and ran to the poop deck, chased into a life boat an A.B. who was running around berserk, and proceeded to follow suit. However, after the reel on the #1 lifeboat jammed, one of the gunners had taken too many turns off the bit letting the boat drop too abruptly and jamming the reel. The writer tried to release the pin but was unable to do so. Everyone was going down the man ropes and not finding any room, the writer jumped over the boat falls and dropped into the water unconscious. When the writer revived, he saw Capt. Peterson in the water, swimming around and directing the #3 boat to survivors in the water. After being taken into the boat, they continued to search for survivors but found no more. The boat the writer was in, along with the #2 boat drifted alongside and were taken aboard one of the escorting corvettes.
4. The writer was taken to Oran and immediately hospitalized suffering with severe burns of the head, face, back, arms, forearms, feet and neck which he received when the barrage balloon was hit by bullets from the planes and exploded. After remaining in the hospital from 22 October until 19 November, the writer was discharged and given passage back to the United States on the SS CARRILLO, arriving in New York on 17 December.
CORNELIUS E. GOLDING
File No. 43-6258
USNR No. 234307
CONFIDENTIAL
22 December 1943
From: Cadet—Midshipman Cornelius E. GOLDING, Second Class, (D-1), USMMCC
To: Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Via: District Cadet-Midshipman Supervisor, New York.
Subject: Loss of Vessel SS TIVIVIES; Report on
1. The subject vessel departed from the port of Algeria bound for Oran with a cargo of 1800 tons of frozen meat when, at about 1850, on 21 October 1943 while she was about 15 miles of Cape Tenez, she was hit by a torpedo. About 1000 that day, the Master had received a communique from British Intelligence warning him to be on the lookout for an attack that evening. During the morning the convoy commodore ordered the barrage balloon to be taken down, but about 1845, Captain Peterson order the balloon to be put back up. While the balloon was being unreeled, 23 enemy planes came over, flying very low, strafing the ships and releasing torpedoes. The subject vessel and a British ship were hit by torpedoes, the subject vessel being hit in #4 hatch about five minutes after the attack started.
2. The writer was standing on #4 hatch together with the Chief Mate and the Bos’n when the torpedo exploded directly beneath them. The three men were blown about 20 feet in the air, the writer turning a somersault and landing on his back. The ship took a sudden list and sank within about 15 minutes.
3. The writer picked himself up and ran to the poop deck, chased into a life boat an A.B. who was running around berserk, and proceeded to follow suit. However, after the reel on the #1 lifeboat jammed, one of the gunners had taken too many turns off the bit letting the boat drop too abruptly and jamming the reel. The writer tried to release the pin but was unable to do so. Everyone was going down the man ropes and not finding any room, the writer jumped over the boat falls and dropped into the water unconscious. When the writer revived, he saw Capt. Peterson in the water, swimming around and directing the #3 boat to survivors in the water. After being taken into the boat, they continued to search for survivors but found no more. The boat the writer was in, along with the #2 boat drifted alongside and were taken aboard one of the escorting corvettes.
4. The writer was taken to Oran and immediately hospitalized suffering with severe burns of the head, face, back, arms, forearms, feet and neck which he received when the barrage balloon was hit by bullets from the planes and exploded. After remaining in the hospital from 22 October until 19 November, the writer was discharged and given passage back to the United States on the SS CARRILLO, arriving in New York on 17 December.
Signed (Cornelius E. Golding)
Cadet-Midshipman Cornelius E. Golding, Second Class, (D-1), USMMCC
FIRST ENDORSEMENT
22 December, 1943
To: Supervisor, U.S. Merchant Marine Cadet Corps
Forwarded
P. Brennan
Signed (G. S. Findlay)
G. S. FINDLAY
By direction