Uncovered History: Oil Tanker Esso Baton Rouge Torpedoed and Sunk Twice by German Subs in WWII, First on April 8, 1942

The sprawling Exxon Refinery in North Baton Rouge is a well-known landmark along the Mississippi River, and has earned a long chapter in the history of Louisiana's capitol city. But few from Baton Rouge know the history of the Esso Baton Rouge, an oil tanker that actually was sunk twice during World War 2 while carrying oil from the Baton Rouge refinery in support of Allied war efforts.

The tanker Esso Baton Rouge was sunk on April 8, 1942, off St. Simons Island, GA. Refloated and repaired, she sailed again November 1942.Photo byUS Coast Guard Photo

Built at the Bethlehem Ship Yard in Maryland, the Esso Baton Rouge was launched in 1937. "She completed 58 voyages, mainly from Baton Rouge to New York, and transported - including the salvaged part of the 59th cargo - 5,294,573 barrels, consisting almost entirely of mixed petroleum products," according to Auke Visser's International Esso Tankers site.

Then, in the post-midnight hours of April 8,1942, just off the coast of St. Simons Island, Georgia, German submarine U-123 lurked in shallow coastal waters waiting for freight-laden merchant ships. The stealthy submarine found the SS Oklahoma and the Esso Baton Rouge, and sank both within an hour in shallow coastal waters. Three crew of the Baton Rouge were killed by the torpedo attack, while others were rescued and taken to nearby Brunswick, GA.

A life ring and the ships bell from Esso Baton Rouge are on display at the Home Front Museum in St. Simons, GA.Photo byDeanLand / OurTravelCafe.com

The Esso Baton Rouge was refloated and towed into St. Simon Sound in Georgia, then temporary repairs were made at Brunswick, GA. Finally, the Baton Rouge was towed back to Maryland where repairs were completed. On Nov. 30, 1943, the Esso Baton Rouge was returned to wartime service, where she recorded 10 more journeys.

The fateful 10th sailing was part of Allied Convoy UC-1, with approximately 32 tankers and freighters. On Feb. 23, 1943, approximately 400 miles south southwest of the Azores, the convoy was attacked by German submarine U-202. This time, the Esso Baton Rouge was hit. According to crew reports, ""The force of the explosion carried away the bulkheads between the bunker tanks and the engine room, which began to fill with burning oil. Various parts of the ship and superstructure were torn into fragments of jagged steel and blown a distance of fifty to sixty feet. The Esso Baton Rouge settled by the stern," and sunk stern-first into the Atlantic.

Map of sinking sites of the Esso Baton Rouge. The ship was lost in the Atlantic on Feb. 23, 1943. Five sailors were aboard on both occasionsPhoto byAuke Visser's International Esso Tankers site.

Of the 68 crew members aboard the Esso Baton Rouge as it sank in 1943 for the second time, three were killed and all others rescued.

Amazingly, five officers and men of the Esso Baton Rouge, were aboard the vessel on both occasions of enemy action and sinking. First Assistant Engineer Joseph M. Cooper survived the first attack in 1942, but was lost in the second. Captain James Poche, Radio Operator Michael J. Reilly, Steward John Pinto, and Chief Cook Jose A. Ventoso survived both sinkings.

Follow DeanLand

For more posts on history, outdoors and travel, follow DeanLand on Newsbreak, and visit OurTravelCafe.com