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Irish Pine was a cargo ship which was built in 1919 for the United States Maritime Commission (USMC) and named West Hematite. She was chartered in 1941 by Irish Shipping Ltd and renamed Irish Pine. On 16 November 1942, Irish Pine was torpedoed and sunk by .
The ship was built to Design 1013 by J. F. Duthie & Company, Seattle, Washington, was launched on 26 April 1919 and completed in June of that year. The ship was 409feet long, with a beam of 54feet and a depth of 27feet. She was propelled by a triple expansion steam engine which had cylinders of 24.5inches, 41.5inches and 72inches bore and 48inches stroke. It was built by the Llewellyn Iron Works, Los Angeles.[1] She could make 10.5kn.
Irish Pine was recorded in Lloyd's Register as being 410feet long, with a beam of 54feet and a depth of 30feet.
West Hematite was built for the USMC.[2] She was initially chartered to Cosmo Shipping Co and was used on the Bordeaux – Rotterdam – Le Havre – New York route.[3] On 16 February 1923, she ran aground in the Weser. The American cargo ship went to her assistance and also ran aground.[4] By 1933, she had passed to the United States Shipping Board (USSB).[1] She was later withdrawn from service and placed in the reserve fleet.[2]
On 26 September 1941,[2] West Hematite was chartered from the USSB by Irish Shipping Ltd and renamed Irish Pine. was also chartered from the USSB.[5] On 4 August 1942, the Union-Castle Line's was torpedoed and sunk by off Cape Farewell. Irish Pine rescued 15 of the 50 survivors and landed them at Kilrush.[6]
At 00:15 on 16 November 1942, Irish Pine was hit by a single torpedo from U-608. Although the 33 crew started to take to the lifeboats, the ship sank at 00:17, costing everyone on board their life.[2] Her position was 42.75°N -58°W, in the North Atlantic south of Cape Breton Island, Canada. Ireland had not declared war on Germany, and therefore Irish Pine was a neutral vessel.[7]
Official Numbers were a forerunner to IMO Numbers. West Hematite had the United States Official Number 218111.[1] Irish Pine had the United Kingdom Official Number 159843.[8]
West Hematite used the Code Letters LRGF from 1930[1] and KLCS from 1934.[9] Irish Pine used the Code Letters EINQ.[8]
Seattle (1919-41)
Dublin (1941-42)