M.S. Sun
MS Sun transiting Panama Canal 1938 - Picture courtesy of The John Curdy Collection
 
The MS Sun in dry dock at Chester, Pa after being torpedoed off the US east coast on February 23, 1942.  There were no deaths.
 
Sun Ship Hull #:  110 Contract Date:
Keel Laid: 12/21/1927 Time on Ways (M/D):  6/25
Date Delivered: 7/27/1928 Time in Wet Basin (M/D):  0/13
Total Time Bldg.:  7/8 Promised Delivery Date:  7/21/1928
D.W.T.:  16856 Propulsion:  diesel
H.P.:  2800 Speed:  10.4 knots
Sponsor:  MRS ETHEL PEW Delivery Price:  
Bbls. Capacity: 104000 Launch Date: 7/14/1928
Previous Owner:   Previous Name:  
Date Purchased:   Date Sold:
 
 1954
Subsequent Owner:  Chandris Subsequent Name:  NONNA DESPO
       
 Length:  480'  Beam:  65'9"
 Depth:  37'  Class:  ABS
       
ON number 227816    
Broken up: Tokyo 08/13/1959
 

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Information on 1942 attacks supplied from:

Allied Ships hit by U-boats

 
Tidbit:
Merchant Marine Heroes: Meritorious Service Medals Awarded "for Conduct or Service of a Meritorious Nature" during World War II

Walls, Norman E. Jr.
Master, MS Sun
While berthed in Bari, Italy, his tanker, MS Sun, loaded with aviation gasoline, was placed in serious jeopardy when an adjacent Liberty ship, with a capacity cargo of bombs, exploded. In the resulting fire, which spread to the bombs, ammunition and gasoline stowed on the docks, Captain Walls gave orders to shift berth to the outer harbor. Under his direction the partially dismantled engines were reassembled and the six mooring lines from the stern to the dock as well as two wire cables to the quay were let go, thus enabling the Master to maneuver his ship through a dangerous area containing many wrecks to a safe anchorage in the outer harbor. Captain Walls' courage, seamanship and utter disregard of personal safety were mainly responsible for saving his ship and vital cargo, as well as the lives of his trained crew, and will be a lasting inspiration to all seamen of the United States Merchant Marine. [Walls lived in Drexel Hill, PA] July 11, 1946
 
     
 

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