Photo. Copyright http://rapidttp.co.za/museum
Built: 1919
Tonnage: 5,586 / 8,500 tons
Cargo: 7,000 tons of Linseed
Sunk 15 JUN 42 by Italian submarine Archimedi on pos. 04º 45’N 40º 55’W
0 Dead
34 survivors
The Panamanian flag freighter, SS Cardina, former names Deuel and Capac, was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Archimede (G. Gazzano) at 1245 local time on June 15, 1942 in position 04º 45" N 40º 55" W. or about 500 miles NE of Salinas, Brazil, while en route from Buenos Aires to New York with a cargo of 7,000 tons of Linseed in bulk. She was unescorted and unarmed and not zigzagging. She carried a crew of 34 and all survived. Among the crew were 17 Americans.
The first torpedo hit at 1245 on the port quarter at #5 hold. The explosion caused the Cardina to take an immediate list. The crew abandoned ship a few minutes later. When the ship did not appear to sink all hands returned to the ship within an hour. After a few repairs, the engine was started and the ship got underway. About 1730 local time the engines were stopped and the crew abandoned ship again.
It was at this time the Archimede fired another torpedo which struck on the port side tearing a huge hole in the hull. In addition, the sub surfaced and commenced firing her deck gun. Three direct hits were made on the ship's hull. The ship was abandoned in four boats. The Master ordered all boats to head for the Brazillian coast.
On June 22nd landfall was made at Salinas. From there they were taken to Para (Belem) aboard the SS Comandante Ripper where they arrived at 1000 on June 23rd. Seventeen of the crew were repatriated to Miami on July 8th via aircraft. The remainder were flown to Miami July 21st on a USAAF plane.
SS Cardina seen as former Capac. Photo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Cardina#/media/File:SS_Capac_in_Vancouver.jpg