U.S. Merchant Marine
Service No. B 107183
Award: Mariner's Award
Address of Record: New York, New York
On Sep 5, 1941, JAMES JOHN ABERNETHY was one of 27 mariners who survived when their ship, the SS Steel Seafarer, was bombed and sunk in the Red Sea. A year later, Mr. Abernethy was the Radio Officer on the American merchant ship La Salle when it left Balboa, Canal Zone on Sep 26 1942. The unescorted ship was headed for Capetown South Africa, via Cape Horn, with a cargo of trucks, steel and ammunition. The La Salle never arrived at its destination, however, and on Dec 2, 1942 it was officially designated "Presumed Lost."
The fate of the SS La Salle and her complement of 60 men remained a mystery until after the war when German naval records revealed the facts. On the afternoon of Nov 7, 1942, German submarine U-159 spotted the ship and began shadowing it. During the five hour pursuit, a torpedo had been fired but missed. Now, at approximately 350 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, the sub fired another torpedo and this one hit, igniting the ammunition. La Salle exploded, creating a huge fireball which completely destroyed the ship. The explosion was heard at Cape Point lighthouse, which was over 300 miles away.
There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 20 US Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
Bio
James John and his sister, Marion, were the only children of Nellie and John Abernethy. Both parents were born in Ireland and both became naturalized US citizens. When James was 18, he enlisted in the US Navy. He attended the Naval Radio School at Harvard University from 11/02/1917 until 3/09/18. When he was discharged on 9/01/1919, his rate was Electrician Second Class. He joined the Merchant Marine within a month of discharge. On Apr 3, 1936, he married Catherine M. Fehilly in Manhattan, NY.
Note: This name is spelled "Abernathy" (with an 'a') in some records.
Service No. B 107183
Award: Mariner's Award
Address of Record: New York, New York
On Sep 5, 1941, JAMES JOHN ABERNETHY was one of 27 mariners who survived when their ship, the SS Steel Seafarer, was bombed and sunk in the Red Sea. A year later, Mr. Abernethy was the Radio Officer on the American merchant ship La Salle when it left Balboa, Canal Zone on Sep 26 1942. The unescorted ship was headed for Capetown South Africa, via Cape Horn, with a cargo of trucks, steel and ammunition. The La Salle never arrived at its destination, however, and on Dec 2, 1942 it was officially designated "Presumed Lost."
The fate of the SS La Salle and her complement of 60 men remained a mystery until after the war when German naval records revealed the facts. On the afternoon of Nov 7, 1942, German submarine U-159 spotted the ship and began shadowing it. During the five hour pursuit, a torpedo had been fired but missed. Now, at approximately 350 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, the sub fired another torpedo and this one hit, igniting the ammunition. La Salle exploded, creating a huge fireball which completely destroyed the ship. The explosion was heard at Cape Point lighthouse, which was over 300 miles away.
There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 20 US Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
Bio
James John and his sister, Marion, were the only children of Nellie and John Abernethy. Both parents were born in Ireland and both became naturalized US citizens. When James was 18, he enlisted in the US Navy. He attended the Naval Radio School at Harvard University from 11/02/1917 until 3/09/18. When he was discharged on 9/01/1919, his rate was Electrician Second Class. He joined the Merchant Marine within a month of discharge. On Apr 3, 1936, he married Catherine M. Fehilly in Manhattan, NY.
Note: This name is spelled "Abernathy" (with an 'a') in some records.
U.S. Merchant Marine
Service No. B 107183
Award: Mariner's Award
Address of Record: New York, New York
On Sep 5, 1941, JAMES JOHN ABERNETHY was one of 27 mariners who survived when their ship, the SS Steel Seafarer, was bombed and sunk in the Red Sea. A year later, Mr. Abernethy was the Radio Officer on the American merchant ship La Salle when it left Balboa, Canal Zone on Sep 26 1942. The unescorted ship was headed for Capetown South Africa, via Cape Horn, with a cargo of trucks, steel and ammunition. The La Salle never arrived at its destination, however, and on Dec 2, 1942 it was officially designated "Presumed Lost."
The fate of the SS La Salle and her complement of 60 men remained a mystery until after the war when German naval records revealed the facts. On the afternoon of Nov 7, 1942, German submarine U-159 spotted the ship and began shadowing it. During the five hour pursuit, a torpedo had been fired but missed. Now, at approximately 350 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, the sub fired another torpedo and this one hit, igniting the ammunition. La Salle exploded, creating a huge fireball which completely destroyed the ship. The explosion was heard at Cape Point lighthouse, which was over 300 miles away.
There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 20 US Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
Bio
James John and his sister, Marion, were the only children of Nellie and John Abernethy. Both parents were born in Ireland and both became naturalized US citizens. When James was 18, he enlisted in the US Navy. He attended the Naval Radio School at Harvard University from 11/02/1917 until 3/09/18. When he was discharged on 9/01/1919, his rate was Electrician Second Class. He joined the Merchant Marine within a month of discharge. On Apr 3, 1936, he married Catherine M. Fehilly in Manhattan, NY.
Note: This name is spelled "Abernathy" (with an 'a') in some records.
Service No. B 107183
Award: Mariner's Award
Address of Record: New York, New York
On Sep 5, 1941, JAMES JOHN ABERNETHY was one of 27 mariners who survived when their ship, the SS Steel Seafarer, was bombed and sunk in the Red Sea. A year later, Mr. Abernethy was the Radio Officer on the American merchant ship La Salle when it left Balboa, Canal Zone on Sep 26 1942. The unescorted ship was headed for Capetown South Africa, via Cape Horn, with a cargo of trucks, steel and ammunition. The La Salle never arrived at its destination, however, and on Dec 2, 1942 it was officially designated "Presumed Lost."
The fate of the SS La Salle and her complement of 60 men remained a mystery until after the war when German naval records revealed the facts. On the afternoon of Nov 7, 1942, German submarine U-159 spotted the ship and began shadowing it. During the five hour pursuit, a torpedo had been fired but missed. Now, at approximately 350 miles southeast of the Cape of Good Hope, the sub fired another torpedo and this one hit, igniting the ammunition. La Salle exploded, creating a huge fireball which completely destroyed the ship. The explosion was heard at Cape Point lighthouse, which was over 300 miles away.
There were 40 Merchant Mariners and 20 US Navy Armed Guards on board; none survived.
Bio
James John and his sister, Marion, were the only children of Nellie and John Abernethy. Both parents were born in Ireland and both became naturalized US citizens. When James was 18, he enlisted in the US Navy. He attended the Naval Radio School at Harvard University from 11/02/1917 until 3/09/18. When he was discharged on 9/01/1919, his rate was Electrician Second Class. He joined the Merchant Marine within a month of discharge. On Apr 3, 1936, he married Catherine M. Fehilly in Manhattan, NY.
Note: This name is spelled "Abernathy" (with an 'a') in some records.
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