M/T Mexico

To Mexico on the "Ships starting with M" page.

Crew List

(A picture is available at the external website that I've linked to at the end of this page).

Mexico struck a mine near the Thames estuary at about 09:05 on March 6-1941 (51 53N 01 37E), while on a voyage in convoy from Curaçao (via Halifax and Methil?) to London with 3823 tons fuel oil. This probably refers to her voyage with Convoy SC 22, mentioned above.

The explosion occurred under the engine room, killing all those who were on duty there, and instantly stopping the engine with the result that all the lights went out. 3rd Mate Grøn, the officer on watch, was in the wheelhouse at the time, Ordinary Seaman Mønnerød was at the wheel, while the Latvian Ordinary Seaman Plume was on lookout duty on the starboard side on the bridge. Some of the crew, among them one of the casualties, the Belgian Able Seaman Verheyden, were working on getting the mooring ropes out, supervised by Boatswain Gustavsen.

The captain, who was on the port side of the bridge, was lifted up and fell backwards, and when he got on his feet again he saw a dark cloud of smoke obscuring the entire after section of the ship. As the smoke cleared he saw that the aft deck was under water, the 2 lifeboats there were gone, with the starboard boat floating upside down in the water. A raft was seen on edge near the funnel. The ship started to go straight down very quickly, without listing.

The captain shouted towards aft for those who were there to use the raft, but both rafts were gone. The 3rd engineer and 3 crew managed to get themselves forward*, and the gig was lowered with 11 men, including the captain. They picked up 4 from the water, namely the radio operator, who had jumped overboard from amidships, and 3 others who had jumped from the after part of the ship, meaning there were 15 in the gig. The 1st mate, the 1st engineer, the boatswain, a Canadian gunner (who was injured) and 1 of the crew were in the forward lifeboat**. All 20 were picked up by the British destroyer Witherington, which came to assist shortly thereafter. 3 had to be taken ashore on stretchers upon arrival Sheerness.

* The crew's quarters and mess room, the officers' messroom and the engine room officers' cabins were aft, while the deck officers' cabins were amidships (the 1st engineer and the 1st mate would have their meals with the captain in the saloon).

** Mexico had an extra lifeboat on the foredeck, set in gripes in such a way that it would float clear if the ship sank. This arrangement had been obtained at Mobile Drydock in Febr.-1934 (this boat could not be launched in the ordinary manner). The gig was located on the port side amidships. Additionally, she had 2 rafts aft, 1 of which was built in New York in Aug.-1940, the other in Halifax in Jan.-1941. They were located on each side of the ship on special bridges, and were also installed in such a way that they would glide out by themselves when the lashings were cut. An axe had been placed alongside for this purpose. She also had a motorboat aft on the port side, and another lifeboat on the starboard side, both in davits and swung out.

An inquiry was held in London on March 24-1941, with the captain, the 3rd mate, Ordinary Seaman Mønnerød, and the 1st and 3rd engineers appearing.

Boatswain Gustavsen had joined D/S Vigrid in London on March 15.

Roger W. Jordan's "The World's Merchant Fleets" says Mexico sank in position 51 55 04N 01 38 01E (claiming that 23 survived).

Back to Mexico on the "Ships starting with M" page.

The text on this page was compiled with the help of: "Nortraships flåte", J. R. Hegland, "Sjøforklaringer fra 2. verdenskrig", Norwegian Maritime Museum, Volume II, and misc. (ref. My sources).