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The almost "Look A Likes" of T2-Tankers
John D. Gill
A "Look A Like" T2-Tanker

JOHN D. GILL, US,1TE (aft)
11,641 GRT for Atlantic Refining Co., Philadelphia, 528.5 x 70.2
Tanker built by Sun SB. & DD. Co., Chester, Pa. (1/42)  #236, 241335
Torpedoed and sunk by U 158, 13 March 1942, in 33.55 N - 77.39 W (25 miles east of Cape Fear),
voyage Atreco - Philadelphia, crude oil.
( See photo below )
The Miramar Ship Index for "JOHN D. GILL"
IDNo:
2241335
Year:
1942
Name:
JOHN D. GILL
Keel:
Type:
Tanker
Launch Date:
15.11.1941
Flag:
USA
Date of completion:
01.1942

Tons:
11644
Link:
-
DWT:
19200
Yard No:
236
Length overall:
165.7
Ship Design:
LPP:
158.8
Country of build:
USA
Beam:
21.4
Builder:
Sun
Material of build:
Location of yard:
Chester, Pa
Number of screws/Mchy/Speed(kn):
1TE-13

Subsequent History:
-

Disposal Data:
Torpedoed and sunk 33.55 N / 77.37.30 W on 13.03.1942 (23 dead)

History:
ON
LR/IMO
ID
Year
Name
Tons
Change
Registered Owner
241335
2241335
1942
JOHN D. GILL
11644
-
Atlantic Refining Co.

"John D. Gill".

Name
John D. Gill
Type:
Steam tanker
Tonnage
11,641 tons
Completed
1942 - Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co, Chester PA
Owner
Atlantic Refining Co, Philadelphia PA
Homeport
Philadelphia
Date of attack
13 Mar 1942
Nationality: American
Location of attack on John D. Gill.
Fate
Sunk by U-158 (Erwin Rostin)
Position
33.55N, 77.39W - Grid DB 3399
Complement
49 (23 dead and 26 survivors).
Convoy
-
Route
Atreco, Texas (7 Mar) - Charleston (12 Mar) - Philadelphia
Cargo
141,981 barrels of crude oil
History
Completed in January 1942
Notes on loss
At 05.05 hours on 13 Mar, 1942, the unescorted John D. Gill (Master Allen D. Tucker) was torpedoed by U-158 about 25 miles east of Cape Fear, North Carolina. The vessel on her second voyage had stopped zigzagging for about 20 minutes off Frying Pan Shoals, flashed the running lights and then continued on a zigzag course at 15 knots. One torpedo struck on the starboard side amidships under the mainmast in the #7 tank. The tanker seemed to lift out of the water and move sideways, but the explosion did not ignite the cargo. The oil was ignited when a seaman tossed a life ring with a self-igniting carbide light overboard. The ship and sea was turned in a blazing inferno, forcing the eight officers and 34 crewmen to abandon ship within eight minutes, followed by the seven armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, two .50cal and two .30cal guns) seven minutes later. While lowering one of the after boats, the lines became fouled and the occupants were spilled into the sea. At least two of them were killed by the still turning prop. The survivors left the ship in only one of the four lifeboats and one of the six rafts. After abandoning, the tanker was rocked by a series of explosions as one tank after another ignited and exploded. The burned out vessel sank after nine hours in position 33°51’59 N" / 77°28’49" W.
Eight crew members and three armed guards were picked up by the US Coast Guard vessel USCGC CG-4405, transferred to USCGC Agassiz (WPC 126) and landed at Southport, North Carolina. 15 survivors in the lifeboat were picked up by the Robert H. Colley and taken to Charleston, South Carolina. Six officers, 13 crewmen and four armed guards were lost and many of the survivors were badly burned.
On board
We have details of 24 people who were on board.