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Stanvac Manila (I) - (1941-1943)
See also : At Close Quarters
"Stanvac Manilla".
A not so very sharp photo of the "Stanvac Manilla".
( Photo thanks to Duncan Montgomery )
SS STANVAC MANILA
Home Port: Panama, R.P.
Company: Socony Vacuum Oil Co.
Master: Gustav Benton
Built: Quincy, MA 1941
Gross Tons: 10,138
Dimensions: 501' x 68' x 37'
Capacity: 134,000 barrels
The Panamanian flag tanker, SS STANVAC MANILA, was torpedoed by the Japanese submarine 1-17 (Hakue Harada) at 0410 ship's time on May 23, 1943 in position 23-44 S./166-30 E. (about 75 miles from Noumea) while en route from New York to Noumea, New Caledonia with a full load of Navy fuel, 150 tons of machinery for the Navy, and 6 Motor Torpedo boats on deck. She left New York on April 2nd and Balboa, C.Z. on May 3rd.
On board was a complement of 165 men consisting of 50 merchant crew, 27 U.S. Naval Armed Guard, and 88 U.S. Navy personnel of different ratings who were crew members of the 6 PT boats on deck. Eight (8) of the merchant crew, 3 of the Navy gunners, and one crew member of the PT Squadron were lost. Eleven crew members were hospitalized at Noumea.
The torpedo struck the ship at 0410 on the port side in the engine room and crew quarters, destroying the engine room and crew quarters directly above. The vessel carried its way for another 3 miles before stopping.
Three boats and 2 rafts were launched. The 6 PT boats floated free as the ship settled. Two of them were so badly damaged they had to be sunk by Navy personnel. One lifeboat, with 20-25 men in it, was overturned on top of these men when a huge wave hit the boat while it was alongside the ship. All of these men were forced to swim away from the ship as it setfied. They were picked up by the PT boats. Later in the day the Mine Layer USS PREBLE (DM 20) came on the scene and towed all 4 PT boats into Noumea.
The 1-17 (Harada) was sunk August 19, 1943 by the New Zealand Armed Trawler TU1 and U.S. Navy Squadron VS-57 in position 23-26 S./16-50 E. or about 40 miles SE of Noumea Bay. Six survivors were taken prisoner.
U.S. MERCHANT SEAMAN LOST
TILLEY, Leroy Jr. - 3rd Engr
FILIPINO SEAMEN LOST
ARMASO, Victor - O.S.
MASA, Catalino - Fireman
CACITOIT, Apalonio - Fireman
SALLADER, Gervasio - Ch. Cook
de VEGA, EIpidio M. - 2nd Cook
PALASPAS, Nicolas - Messman
FLORES, Santiago - Galleyman
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The Miramar Ship Index for "STANVAC MANILA"
IDNo:
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5614173
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Year:
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1941
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Name:
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STANVAC MANILA
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Keel:
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Type:
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Tanker
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Launch Date:
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26.06.1941
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Flag:
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PAN
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Date of completion:
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08.1941
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DWT:
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Yard No:
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1487
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Length overall:
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Ship Design:
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LPP:
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148.8
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Country of build:
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USA
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Beam:
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20.8
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Builder:
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Bethlehem
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Material of build:
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Location of yard:
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Quincy
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Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
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1ST-
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Subsequent History:
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Disposal Data:
Torpedoed & sunk 23.45 S / 166.30 E on 23.05.1943 ( 11 dead )
ON
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LR/IMO
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ID
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Year
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Name
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Tons
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Change
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Main Owner
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|
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5614173
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1941
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STANVAC MANILA
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10169
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-
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Petroleum Sg Co.
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Vessel Name:
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STANVAC MANILA
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Vessel ID:
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500116306
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Vessel Type:
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Steamship
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Tonnage:
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10,296 gross
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Engine:
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Steamship
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Abstract:
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-
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