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KENNETH McCAULIFFE

            Kenneth McCauliffe served aboard the SS Tela as an engine cadet, home ported in New Orleans, LA.  The SS Tela was built in Belfast, North Ireland in 1927 and was 3901 tons and 357’ by 31’.  The SS Tela was Honduran flagged but was under control of the War Shipping Administration with American Master John Shiell.  The SS Tela was enroute alone from New Orleans, LA, to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica via Panama City, FL, with a full load of general cargo.  German U-504 at 0001 EST on 08 June 1942 torpedoed the SS Tela at position 18-15 N 85-20 W. 

            The SS Tela had fifty crew, three US Naval Armed Guard, and one Costa Rican passenger.  Eleven crewmembers were lost when she was torpedoed and two more died when the British rescue ship M/V Port Montreal was torpedoed.  Of the thirteen crewmembers that died two were American, and no US Navy personnel died. 

             Two torpedoes hit the SS Tela, the first hit on the Port side in the engine room demolishing the entire area, and the second hit on the same side at the number three hatch setting the ship on fire.  The SS Tela sank ay 0006 EST. 

             The U-504 was sunk on 30 July1943 northwest of Cape Ortegal, Spain.