SS R.M. Parker Jr. (refer to picture) as she appeared before WWII, was sunk in the Gulf of Mexico in August 1942. (This is close to home for Julie and I)

Allen Salters, a well known marine archaeologist, working with Department of Interior and Minerals Management Service to document some close-in wrecks in the Gulf, wrote this article.
Rather than try to paraphrase the military report, Salter's quoted directly from the Office of Naval Intelligence's report of the incident.
"The Steam Tanker R.M. Parker Jr., owned by Hartol Steamship Company and chartered by Continental Steamship Company of Wilmington, Delaware was en route from Baltimore to Port Arthur, TX. She was built in 1919 in Oakland, Calif., and measured 425x57x33. She was in salt water ballast drawing 10 feet forward and 20 feet aft. She was a US Registered tanker of 6,779 gross tons.
At 0448 CWT while at position 28 degrees 37' north, 90 degrees 48' west (about 25 miles south of Last Island) she was torpedoed by a two-spread shot directly astern approximately 25 yards. The two lookouts on the ship's stern saw two points of light in the water moving toward the ship, but the torpedoes hit before the warning could be given."

Two torpedoes struck almost simultaneously on the port side approximately admidship causing immediate flooding of tanks five and six, wrecking the runway (an elevated walkway amidship running from the bridge/midship house to the bow) and buckling the foredeck. Exact dimensions and extent of damage is unknown due to heavy list of ship. No distress message could be sent since the main mast fell at the original explosion, carrying away both main and auxiliary antennae. Although armed, no counter offensive could be undertaken due to the heavy list of the vessel and complete darkness. The conduct of the crew of 44 was excellent, and the ship was abandoned, on master orders, in 3 lifeboats. After the ship was abandoned, the sub surfaced off the starboard quarter and from 200-500 yards fired five shells into the ship.

The crew was picked up at 0912 CWT by the shrimp lugger PIONEER, and landed at 2020 CWT, August 13th, 1942, at Morgan City, Louisiana. All hands were saved and the only injuriers were incurred in launching the lifeboats. The crew consisted of 38 and an armed guard of 6 US Navy men.

Since her length was 425 feet and the water was (is) only 60 feet deep, the ship did not sink out of sight. Records show that the US Coast Guard, Geodetic Survey, and the US Corps of Engineers cooperated to dynamite the wreck several times to attempt to reduce the hazard to navigation in this heavily traveled area.

Interesting sorty, Mel! Interesting difference from most naval encounters in that there were no fatalities. And likely not the first time the U.S. Coast Guard has had to destroy a hazard to navigation.
And when I first saw the thread topic, I wondered why a ship was named after the singer who sang Ghostbusters!!!


Then I read the story. ;)

I remember-I think-2 U-Boats were sunk in that area--one by an airplane.
Foss I tried the kitty litter thing-it didn't work! :o

I am ashamed to admit that that was the first thing to pop into my head John! :lol:
Of course after that song, I'd say his career sank too??? :unsure:

Yuppers! Talk about one-hit wonders!!

LOL A VH-1 Story if I ever heard one!! One hit-wonders are a staple as well as has been media stars :lol: b: