She was loaded with stores for Allied forces in North Africa and sailed from Hampton Roads on 4 March 1943, with Convoy UGS 6. At 20:51, on 16 March 1943, she was struck by two torpedoes fired by German submarine U-172, part of Wolfpack Unverzagt, during the only successful wolfpack attack on the trans-Atlantic UG convoy. Benjamin Harrison was struck in the #5 hold on the starboard side and began to slowly settle, but did not sink quickly. As the crew began to abandon ship, confusion caused the two of the lifeboats to be improperly launched, allowing the occupants to be dropped into the ocean. Only one lifeboat was launched successfully, due to the last boat being damaged in the torpedo attack. Two officers and an Armed guard perished. The escort ship RowanscuttledBenjamin Harrison at 21:30, with gunfire, 150 mi (240 km) east northeast of Terceira, Azores, near 39°09′N24°15′W / 39.150°N 24.250°W / 39.150; -24.250.[5]
Further reading
Rohwer, J. and Hummelchen, G. Chronology of the War at Sea 1939–1945 Naval Institute Press 1992 ISBN1-55750-105-X
Hague, Arnold The Allied Convoy System 1939–1945 Naval Institute Press 2000 ISBN1-55750-019-3
Maritime Administration. "Benjamin Harrison". Ship History Database Vessel Status Card. U.S. Department of Transportation, Maritime Administration. Retrieved 18 February 2020.