R.P. Resor (ship)

The R.P. "Resor" was a tanker ship built in 1936 by the Federal Shipbuilding and Drydock Company of Kearny, New Jersey for the Standard Oil Company. She was torpedoed by U-boat "U-578" on 28 February 1942, and later sank.

Disaster

Leaving Houston, Texas on February 19, 1942, the R.P. "Resor" was carrying 78,729 barrels (12,517 m³) of crude oil to be carried to Fall River, Massachusetts. She had a crew of 41, and carried an ensign and eight navy gunners. These men were needed to man a four-inch gun mounted on the stern. German U-boat activity compelled the R.P. "Resor" to steer a zigzag course with no navigation lights. Extra lookouts were posted.

Attack

According to the account of John Forsdal, seaman on the boat during the attack, an unidentified object was spotted in the water. It flickered its lights, and subsequently, Forsdal reported by voice to the bridge. Soon after, a torpedo hit the port side. Debris flew into the air, and the deck erupted with flames. The crew, including Forsdal, was knocked down by the violent explosion. As he released the life raft and slid down the safety line into the water, three more torpedoes destroyed the port side hull. Oil poured out, coating the sea. Soon, the life raft had floated off. Forsdal swam for approximately 20 minutes before reaching the raft, which was half a mile from the burning R.P. "Resor". On it, he joined radio operator Clarence Armstrong. John Forsdal released the following statement after being rescued:

12:40 am—land reaction and rescue

Flames were spotted by a lookout at the Shark River Lifeboat station, which was 20 miles (40 km) away. A picket boat was dispatched. In attempt to find survivors, they shone a searchlight, combing the surrounding areas. They saw Forsdal, and after much difficulty, manually pulled him over the gunwale. Radio Operator Armstrong was never seen again.

Now, many coast guard boats were on scene. Coxswain Daniel Hey was found, but due to congealed oil, they resorted to extreme measures, namely removing the oil-soaked, weighted clothes. Mr. Hey was one of the eight navy gunners on the ship. According to his testimony, he was sleeping in his bunk when the torpedo struck, and subsequently jumped off the boat, along with three other gunners. The port lifeboat had been effectively immobilized by the raging flames. Mr. Hey was the only one of the three to survive the burning sea. He also said that "he saw the starboard lifeboat shove off into the gunnel".

When the flames on the water's surface died out, Navy vessels and aircraft searched the surrounding area for survivors. One body was recovered, but no other survivors, nor was the starboard lifeboat ever found.

inking and subsequent effects

Since trapped air prevented the immediate sinking of the R.P. "Resor", it was partially afloat for 46 hours. The USS|Sagamore|AT-20 took the drifting wreck in tow. The tow ended about 30 miles (55 km) east of Barnegat Lighthouse, where it grounded.

The American Marine Insurance Syndicate paid US$1,716,416 to the Standard Oil Company: the total hull value in its insurance agreement.

A buoy floats over the wreck, placed by the Hydrographic Office of the United States. The wreck was demolished and moved with wire to a safe depth of 50 feet (15 m). The R.P. "Resor" was investigated by the Coast Guard's Sunken Tanker Project to determine if the tanker posed an ecological hazard. No further action was deemed necessary.

The wreck today

The wreck is partially destroyed, due to its relocation. The bridge and after tanks are unrecognizable. There is a large hole near the engine room, which allows easy access to inside rooms. The stern is still intact. Most of the superstructure has been destroyed.

References

*cite book
last = Gentile
first = Gary
title = Shipwrecks of New Jersey
publisher = Sea Sports Publications
date = 1988
location = Norwalk, CT 06852
id = ISBN 0196163992X