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M.V. CITY OF RAYVILLE
LocationBass Strait, off Cape Otway VHR NumberS126 Date lost08/11/1940 Year of construction1920 Official number220677 |
Statement of Significance
The City of Rayville has international historical significance as the first US vessel lost in World War II, and is one of four World War II wrecks in Victoria. It represents the strategic importance of Bass Strait as an international shipping lane and of the importance of Australia's raw materials to the Allied war effort. It is socially significant as the wreck and rescue of the crew by Apollo Bay fishermen is still remembered and commemorated by the Apollo Bay community, by members and ... more
| Physical Description | |
|---|---|
| Construction Material | Steel |
| Hull Details | Converted to diesel in 1927. Poop 34' bridge 118' forecastle deck 38'. Water ballast, gyro compass submarine signalling device two decks, longitudinal framing. |
| Propulsion | Motor |
| Engine Specification | Bulch Sulzer Diesel Engine Co., St Louis, Missouri |
| Engine Builder | Oil engines, 2 stroke single acting 6 cylinder 30" x 52" 938 Nominal Horsepower, new engines 1927 by Bulch Sulzer Diesel Engine Co., St Louis, Missouri |
| Length / Breadth / Depth | 401.9 Feet / 54.2 Feet / 31.3 Feet |
| History | |
| Builder | Oscar Daniels Co. |
| Built Date | 1920 |
| Built Port / Country | Tampa, Florida / USA |
| Registration Port / Country | / USA |
| Details |
On 15 June 1940 a Nazi raider named the Pinguin embarked on a mission to capture and destroy as many allied merchant ships as possible. Between June 1940 and May 1941 the Pinguin's Captain Kruder was ... more |
| Voyage Details | |
| Date Lost | 08/11/1940 |
| Voyage | from Port Pirie, SA to New York |
| Cargo |
1500 tons of lead, near capacity with wool and copper |
| Owner | International Mercantile Marine Company, New York, American Pioneer Line, under charter toUnited States Maritime Commission (US Government owned). Operated by Roosevelt Steamship Company Ltd. abcdefghijklmnop |
| Master of Vessel | Capt. Cronin |
| Weather conditions |
Heavy seas, strong northerly wind |
| Cause of Loss |
Struck a German mine |
| Further Details | |
| Number of Passengers | 0 |
| Number of Crew Members | 0 |
| Comments on Crew Members |
Second Officer Green Radio Operator Fred A. Gritzer Engineer H.S Brooks 3rd Assistant Engineer Brooks |