SS Caribou
Passenger And Rail Ferry · Newfoundland · Lost 1942 · Newfoundland
A Newfoundland Railway ferry torpedoed by U-69 in the Cabot Strait in October 1942, the worst single loss of life in Canadian waters during the Second World War.
Become Captain of Record
The Vessel and Her Loss
SS Caribou ran the overnight passenger and rail-car ferry route between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland from 1928. On the night of October 13-14, 1942, while escorted by the minesweeper HMCS Grandmère, she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-69 in the Cabot Strait. The ferry sank quickly, with 136 of the 237 aboard lost, including many women and children. The sinking shocked Newfoundland and Canada and remains the deadliest attack on shipping in home waters during the war.
Vessel
- 1925
- Goodwin - Hamilton S. Adams Ltd.
- Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Steel
- 265 ft
- Not established
- 2222
- Steam
- Newfoundland Railway
Loss
- October 14, 1942
- Enemy action
- Cabot Strait, Gulf of St. Lawrence
- Cabot Strait
- North Sydney, Nova Scotia → Port aux Basques, Newfoundland
- Passengers and military personnel
- 237
- 136
- Benjamin Taverner
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Regarded as a war grave
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Cabot Strait, off Port aux Basques
General torpedoing position in the Cabot Strait is documented but a confirmed wreck position was not verified in the sources reviewed.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (85/100)
The precise wreck site and depth have not been established in the sources reviewed.
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Sinking narrative, casualty figures, and escort details.
Canadian Disaster Database, Public Safety Canada
Casualty totals and event dates.
