Laertes
Cargo Steamer · Netherlands · Lost 1942 · Florida's Atlantic Coast
A Dutch cargo steamer sunk by U-109 off the Florida coast in May 1942, with 18 lives lost.
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The Vessel and Her Loss
Laertes was a Dutch cargo steamer completed in 1919 by Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co of Hong Kong Ltd, Hong Kong. On May 3, 1942, bound from New York to Bombay with 5230 tons of war material, including 3 aircraft, 17 medium tanks and 20 trucks, she was attacked by the German submarine U-109 off the Florida coast and sank. Of the 66 aboard, 18 died and 48 survived.
Vessel
- 1919
- Taikoo Dockyard & Engineering Co of Hong Kong Ltd, Hong Kong
- Not established
- Steel
- Not established
- Not established
- 5,825 gross tons
- Steam
- Nederlandsche Stoomvaart Mij ´Oceaan´, Amsterdam
Loss
- May 3, 1942
- Enemy action
- Off the Florida coast
- Atlantic Ocean
- New York → Bombay
- 5230 tons of war material, including 3 aircraft, 17 medium tanks and 20 trucks
- 66
- 18
- Casparos Johannes van Heel
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 28.35° N 80.38° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Florida
Approximate attack position reported in the U-boat's war diary; wreck not surveyed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (78/100)
The position is the attack position reported by the U-boat, not a surveyed wreck site; depth and condition are not established.
uboat.net Allied ships hit by U-boats
Particulars, route, cargo, attack narrative, complement and reported attack position.
