S.S. Robert C. Tuttle: American ESSO Tanker

The Robert C. Tuttle was an American steam tanker of 11,615 tons completed in July 1940 at Sun Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company, in Chester, Pennsylvania. The Tuttle was owned by the Atlantic Refining Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where it was also homeported.

On April 9, 1942, the Robert C. Tuttle sustained minor damage in a collision with the Norwegian steam merchant Benwood (3931 grt) northeast of Molasses Reef, Florida. The Norwegian ship was grounded on the Alligator Reef but slid off and sank in shallow waters on April 14th.

On June 15, 1942 Convoy KN-109 came into a minefield laid on June 11th by U-701 (commanded by Horst Degen) off Virginia Beach. The anti-submarine trawler HMS Kingston Ceylonite (FY 214) sank and the tankers Robert C. Tuttle and Esso Augusta, along with the destroyer USS Bainbridge (DD 246) were damaged.

The Robert C. Tuttle (Master Martin Johansen), carrying 152,000 barrels of crude oil, traveled in the last position of the port column of the two-column convoy when at 2304 hours a mine struck at the Number 2 tank on the starboard side about 100 feet from the stem. The explosion blew oil over the whole length and the second assistant engineer overboard, who drowned. As the engines were stopped, she swung out of the line because all forward compartments were flooded. The tanker settled by the bow, but rested on the bottom in 54 feet of water after ten minutes. The ship was awash to midships with the after section out of water. The eight officers, 33 crewmen, five armed guards and a Navy signalman abandoned ship in three lifeboats. After rowing six miles, they were taken in tow at 2350 hours by USS PC-474 and brought to Little Creek, Virginia.

The back of the Robert C. Tuttle was broken, but the tanker was salvaged and brought into drydock in Baltimore, where she was repaired and returned to service.

Norwegian ship S.S. Benwood after collision with the S.S. Robert C. Tuttle near Molasses Reef, off the Florida coast, on April 9, 1942.

Another view of the S.S. Benwood after colliding with the S.S. Robert C. Tuttle.

S.S. Benwood, loaded with phosphate, collided with the tanker, Robert C. Tuttle, off of Key Largo during the night of April 9, 1942. One crew member of the Benwood was killed and the ship ultimately went aground in what is now John Pennekamp State Park. Early reports suggested that the Benwood was sunk by a German U-boat, but official records indicated that no U-boats were in the area.

S.S. Robert C. Tuttle.

S.S. Robert C. Tuttle.

S.S. Robert C. Tuttle after striking a mine on her starboard side.

S.S. Robert C. Tuttle after striking a mine on her starboard side.

S.S. Robert S. Tuttle (ESSO tanker) afire off Cape Henry, Virginia, after striking a mine, 15 June 1942. She was salvaged. [US National Archives 80-G-14047]

Fighting the fie on the S.S. Robert C. Tuttle.

Salvaging operation underway on the S.S. Robert C. Tuttle.

S.S. Robert C. Tuttle (ESSO tanker). In drydock at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, circa July 1942, showing mine damage to her bow. After preliminary repairs at the Navy Yard, she was towed to Newport News for completion.