Velma Lykes
Cargo Steamer · United States · Lost 1942 · The Mexican Gulf Coast & Campeche
An American cargo steamer sunk by U-158 in the Gulf of Mexico in June 1942, with 15 lives lost.
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The Vessel and Her Loss
Velma Lykes was an American cargo steamer completed in 1920 by McDougall-Duluth Shipbuilding Co, Duluth MN. On June 5, 1942, bound from Galveston to Cristobal with 3629 tons of general cargo, she was attacked by the German submarine U-158 in the Gulf of Mexico and sank. Of the 32 aboard, 15 died and 17 survived.
Vessel
- 1920
- McDougall-Duluth Shipbuilding Co, Duluth MN
- Not established
- Steel
- Not established
- Not established
- 2,572 gross tons
- Steam
- Lykes Bros SS Co Inc, New Orleans LA
Loss
- June 5, 1942
- Enemy action
- Gulf of Mexico
- Atlantic Ocean
- Galveston → Cristobal
- 3629 tons of general cargo
- 32
- 15
- Hans G. Beck
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 21.35° N 86.60° W
- Reported, unconfirmed
- Gulf of Mexico
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.
