The U-boat's torpedo set off the forward magazine of the Reuben James, and the front of the ship was gone in an instant.
The back part of the ship stayed afloat for about five minutes, enabling sailors to abandon ship. Because the ship's two lifeboats were disabled, sailors had to jump into the freezing water.
As the ship sank, its unsecured depth charges fell into the water and detonated. These explosions killed an estimated 40-50 more sailors.
At a reunion several decades later, the surviving crew members said they never knew Guthrie had written a song about their ship until they heard the Trio's version on Close Up.
Responses