SS C.J. Barkdull (L): a Virtual Cemetery

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A Virtual Cemetery created by Patricia O'Neal

SS C.J. Barkdull (L)

The SS C.J. Barkdull, a tanker owned by the Panama Transport Company, an affiliate of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey, had been time chartered to the War Shipping Administration in May 1942. Under government orders, her crews were to be American, even though she retained her Panamanian registry and sailed under the Panamanian flag. The tanker was then primarily routed between the Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast of the U.S. with occasional trips to England. On this voyage, the Barkdull's cargo of 60,186 barrels of 'Admiralty fuel and Pool gas oil' was consigned to Casablanca. Of the 38 Merchant Mariners on board, 8 were officers and 30 were crew. Also on board were 20 U.S. Navy Armed Guards whose job it was to man the ship's guns that had been installed the year before. It was foggy and visibility was poor on the night of December 12, 1942, as the C.J. Barkdull sailed out of New York harbor along with 41 other vessels that made up Convoy UGS-3. During that first night out, the Barkdull disappeared from the convoy. According to an unnamed source, the ship "was seen to lose headway and drop back out of convoy." Whatever the reason may have been, the ship never arrived at its destination and on January 30, 1943 the War Shipping Administration reported that it was "long overdue and presumed lost as a result of enemy action." Nothing was ever found of the ship or any of the men. These are the known facts. Although there are many theories and much speculation as to the fate of the Barkdull, what actually happened is unknown. It was thought for a time that German submarine U-632 had torpedoed the tanker but that is now discounted and Barkdull is no longer listed as a "hit" for U-632. It appears that she may have sustained damage in a minor collision during convoy formation and then heavy weather took the damaged ship down. Unfortunately, there is no way to know for sure. There are several articles on the internet about the fate of the C.J. Barkdull, including LOST FROM CONVOY, THE C.J. BARKDULL by David H. Grover and VESSEL LONG OVERDUE from http://www.armed-guard.com/cjbark.html. Both are excellent. Regardless of what actually happened, the 58 men on board all died in service to their country at a time of war; all are heroes.