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Built in Oakland, California in 1921 the 6,940 ton tanker M. F. Elliott was en route to Venezuela to pick up a shipment of oil when on June 3, 1942 she was torpedoed by U-502 about 150 miles northwest of Trinidad. The ship sank within a few minuets leaving most of the crew in the oil filled water. The lifeboats all capsized and were useless so the crew got on a few rafts which had floated free of the sinking ship. Two men were taken aboard the U-502 and questioned, and became unwilling passengers when the boat had to crash dive to avoid attack by a U. S. Navy PBY. The aircraft had been signaled by the Elliott shortly after the torpedoes struck and came on the scene shortly afterwards. The men on the U-502 were released a few hours later and placed on a raft. Five days later they were rescued by SS Santa Maria. The others were picked up the following morning by USS Tarbell DD-142. Sadly thirteen men lost their lives either killed by the explosions or drowning before rescue. |
© 2009 Michael W. Pocock MaritimeQuest.com |
Roll of Honor |
In memory of those who lost their lives in SS M. F. Elliott "As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us" |
Name |
Rate |
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Anderson, Adolph |
Chief Engineer |
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Anderson, Anders W. |
2nd Engineer |
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Bodden, Henry A. |
2nd Mate |
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Bradway, Harry H. |
Fireman/Watertender |
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Cahill, Frederick W. |
Oiler |
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Eycken, George A. |
Steward |
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Garcia, Julius A. |
Able Seaman |
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Hartley, George H. |
Storekeeper |
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Heggie, Alexander |
3rd Mate |
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Jones, Thomas J. |
Able Seaman |
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Pearcy, William H. |
Ordinary Seaman |
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Swickard, Edward W. |
Ordinary Seaman |
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Weikel, Samuel G. |
Wiper |
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2007 Daily Event |
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