Tommy Jess remembers that they thought they were safe as they neared Kola Inlet as U-boats were only interested in stopping supplies being delivered to the Soviets and if they were around, would concentrate on the merchant ships. Everyone was looking forward to their 11 AM rum ration when the torpedo hit.
"The blast lifted me off my post and threw me about 10 to 12 feet across the deck. It took the skin off my knuckles but that was the only injury I had."
He was 22 at the time and awaited the order to abandon ship which did not come quickly as the captain had been knocked out. When it did, they were told it was every man for himself and he jumped 40 feet over the side into the freezing water.
He was not a good swimmer, but fortunately had his life belt on. Very shortly afterwards, he was hauled onto a life raft with sixteen others. Only seven were left alive by the time they were rescued.
Quite the Story. --GreGen
The USS North Carolina (BB-55) My all-time favorite warship. As an elementary school student in North Carolina, I donated nickels and dimes to save this ship back in the early sixties.
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