World War IIDS Hydra II
SS Hydra II was on a journey from Koh-Sichang to Hongkong with 2000 tons of rice and salt when the war against Japan started. The six Norwegian officers decided to take the ship towards the Philippines. The ship arrived in Manilla 12. December 1941 and anchored two nautical miles from land with the ship blacked out. The situation in Manilla was very tense at this point in time. On the same night one of the guards on duty observed a torpedo coming towards the ship. The torpedo had been fired from land and the ship was struck amidships. The bridge was destroyed by the explosion and the lifeboats was severely damaged. Hydra II sank in just two minutes. After the war the it was discovered that the torpedo was fired from the American submarine S-38 on guard by the harbour entrance. Three Norwegians and 38 Chinese perished in the sinking, but three officers and six Chinese was saved by holding onto debris from the ship.
About DS Hydra II
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Nationality
Norway
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Built
1919
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Wrecked
12.12.1941
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Carrier
Bruusgaard, Kiøsterud & Co.,Drammen
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Tonnage
2000 dvt
