Faja de Oro

The "Faja de Oro" ("Golden Belt") was a Mexican oil transporter that was sunk during the Second World War. It had been an Italian tanker, named the "Genoano," but was seized by the Mexican government while anchored in the port of Tampico, Tamaulipas, one day after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The ship was renamed the "Faja de Oro".

The "Faja de Oro" was torpedoed and sunk at 2.15 a.m. on May 21 1942, off Key West in the Gulf of Mexico, while on a voyage from Philadelphia to Tampico by the German U-boat U-160, commanded by Captain Lieutenant Hermann Rasch. The attack was made despite Mexican neutrality, presumably because the ship's nationality had been undiscernable in the dark. The sinking killed 10 of the 37 crewmen and prompted the Mexican government to declare war on the Axis powers on May 22, 1942.

History

Built as "Barneson". Renamed "Oyleric" in 1915; in 1937 name changed to Italian "Genoano" for Ditta G.M. Barbagelata, Genoa.Owner: Petróleos Mexicanos S.A.; Year: 1914; Armer: Hawthorn, Leslie & Co.;Displacement: 6,067 tons; Dimensions :433-5x54-6x32-4; Propulsion:536n.h.p.; triple-expansion engines.

Position: 23.30N, 84.24W - Grid DM 4157

Mexico responded with the creation of the Escuadrón 201.