World War 2 action off Jacksonville Beach, FL

Jacksonville Beach. The wreck of the SS GulfAmerica lies about 4 miles off here.

On April 10, 1942 a German U-Boat attacked the SS GulfAmerica off Jacksonville Beach on the Florida coast.  The SS GulfAmerica was on her maiden voyage carrying 90 000 barrels of fuel oil from Texas to New York.

The German U-Boat fired a torpedo  which struck the Starboard side then maneuvered between the vessel and the shore to attack it with its deck gun in full view of spectators on Jacksonville Beach.

The SS GulfAmerica was ordered evacuated but 19 men died either due to drowning or shellfire.  The vessel and its fuel cargo burned for days before sinkng.  After this the Florida Governor declared a blackout of coastal areas to prevent the silhouetting of passing ships.