KINGS

POINT

LINKS

Welcome aboard, you are visitor

 PETER J. SMITH 

            Peter J. Smith was an engine cadet aboard the SS William Clark At 1235 GCT, a torpedo struck amidship on the port side in the engine room.  The explosion killed 5 men in the engine room, disabled the engine, and flooded the engine room spaces.  After the ship was abandoned, two more torpedoes hit the starboard side amidships, breaking the ship in two forward of the amidship house.  She sank about 1300GCT.  A distress call was sent but not acknowledged.

            The ship was abandoned in #1, 2, 3 lifeboats; #4 was destroyed in the explosion of the first torpedo.  The three boats got together and the motor lifeboat (#1) in charge of the master attempted to tow the other two.  Because of the danger of swamping, The Master ordered the lines cast off.  He told the other two lifeboats he was going to try to sail to Iceland so that he could send help to them.  This boat was never seen again.  It was presumed to have swamped with all hands lost.  Twenty Five survivors in #2 lifeboat were picked up by HMS ST. ELSTAN on November 7 about 20 miles from where the ship down and landed at Reykjavik ok NOV. 14.  HMS CAPE PALLISER picked up #3 lifeboat containing 15 survivors and 2 dead crew members, the second mate and a utility man, on Nov. 12. 

            This ship was one of ten ships selected to sail to Murmansik without a convoy because the previous convoys had suffered horrible losses.  None of the ten ever reached their destination.  The Master of the ship was advised that he would be contacted by an escort vessel 5 hours after leaving Iceland but the only thing but the only thing sighted was a couple of fishing boats.