14-15 August 1942 – S-39 (SS 144) While on Patrol in the Coral Sea the SS 144 ran aground in heavy seas off Rossel Island. The 21 by 10 mile volcanic island it lies at the end of the Louisiade Archipelago, about 230 miles Southeast of New Guinea and is ringed by coral reefs. As SS 144 ran aground she took a 30-degree list to port. Heavy seas of 20-foot waves pounded the boat as the crew remained on-board in vain attempts to refloat her. Eventually the list went to 60 degrees. It was then that Lt. C.N.G. Hendrix and Chief Petty Officer W.L. Schoenrock swam toward shore and secured mooring lines for crewman to use as riding lines, 32 of the crew reached shore in that manner. On the 15th the Australian Minesweeper HMAS Katoomba arrived to initiate rescue efforts for the remaining crew. All hands were rescued, SS 144 remained stuck on the rocks and broke up.
© Gregg Smith
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