The Norwegian Motor Tanker Hamlet was chartered to the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission of New York City when it was torpedoed without warning in the early morning of 27 May 1942. The attack occurred while headed to United Kingdom ports from Beaumont, Texas, via Key West, Florida, carrying 64,139 barrels of crude oil. She sank at 4:30 a.m. after receiving three torpedoes. Photo taken 1 January 1942. by C.J. Christ What do most people think about when the word Hamlet is spoken? A play by William Shakespeare. The quote “To be or not to be”? A name for Hagar the Horrible’s son in the Sunday comics? A small village of Germanic origin? Or a ship sunk southeast of Morgan City during World War II? It’s easy to guess by now where I stand. Let me tell you the story with the help of the U.S. Naval Intelligence report “Summaries of Statements by Survivors.” The Norwegian Motor Tanker Hamlet was chartered to the Norwegian Shipping and Trade Mission of New York City when it was torped...