SS Statendam (1917)

SS "Statendam" was a 32,234 gross ton ocean liner built for the Holland America Line by the Belfast, Northern Ireland based Harland and Wolff shipyards. On July 9, 1914 she was launched, christened and fitting out began. But before fitting out could be finished, World War I started, and work stopped on her for one year. In 1915 the British government requisitioned the "Statendam" for use as a troop ship. The ship was at first given to the Cunard Line to manage because of the sinking of the "Lusitania", and she was renamed "Justicia" (Latin for justice) because of their traditional ship suffix -ia. Cunard had a hard time getting a crew for the "Justicia", so the ship was given to the White Star Line, who had the crew of the sunken "Britannic" available. The ship’s grey hull was repainted in a dazzle camouflage paint, and transported troops successfully, but soon she would meet her fate. On July 19, 1918, she sailed from Belfast to New York. When she sailed 23 miles south of Skerryvore, Scotland, she was torpedoed by U-boat "UB-64". She took a list, but fortunately, her watertight compartments closed in time, preventing her from sinking. A destroyers were called to escort her to safe water. However, "UB-64" got more clear shot, it fired two more torpedoes to "Justicia". Two torpedoes struck the "Justicia"'s side. It still can't sink the ship. But most of the crew were evacuated, only a small number of people were still on board. They can't use her engine now, so she was towed by the tug HMS "Sonia" to beach her safely at Lough Swilley, where the water were shallow enough. But then the fourth torpedoes struck the wounded "Justicia". The ship still remained afloat. In that time, "UB-64" was now been damaged, designing to stop stalk its prey and then escaped the scene, but the "UB-64" had reported "Justicia"'s position. The following day, "UB-124" caught up "Justicia" and fired two more torpedoed at "Justicia". Those torpedoes slammed into the "Justicia"'s side. The "Justicia" can't survive these last two hits. By noon, she rolled over onto her side and sank beneath the wave. The destroyers "Marne", "Milbrook", and "Pigeon" attacked and sank "UB-124". Totally, she was hit by six torpedoes. Today, she lies 28 miles north-west of Malin Head, Ireland in waters 68 metres deep.

References

* http://www.greatoceanliners.net/justicia.html
* http://www.galwaydiving.com/lb/LeighBishop/Justiciabow-b.jpg