The U-66 was 160 miles east of Cape Hatteras on a moonless night on January 19, 1942, when it discovered the Lady Hawkins zig-zagging at nine knots. The submarine came up alongside at 01:35 AM and its searchlights identified it as a cargo-passenger ship.
Commander Zapp of the U-66 then moved ahead and fired two stern torpedoes 1,200 meters away. The Lady Hawkins saw them and took evasive maneuvering, but, both struck. The first torpedo hit Hold No. 2, forward of the bridge. The second hit Hold No. 3 near the engine room and the Lady Hawkins immediately began to list.
Three of the six lifeboats couldn't be lowered because of the list.
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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