French Submarine Surcouf (N N 3) - Fate

Fate

Surcouf was sunk on 18 February 1942 about 80 mi (70 nmi; 130 km) north of Cristóbal, Colón, while en route for Tahiti via the Panama Canal. The American freighter SS Thompson Lykes—steaming alone from Guantanamo Bay on what was a very dark night—reported hitting and running down a partially submerged object which scraped along her side and keel. Her lookouts heard people in the water but the freighter carried on its course without stopping, as they thought that they had struck a German U-boat, though cries for help were heard in English. A signal was sent to Panama describing the incident.

Inquiries into the incident were haphazard and late, while a later French inquiry supported the idea that the sinking had been due to "friendly fire"; this conclusion was supported by Rear Admiral Auphan in his book The French Navy in World War II in which he states: "for reasons which appear to have been primarily political, she was rammed at night in the Caribbean by an American freighter." Charles de Gaulle stated in his memoirs that Surcouf "had sunk with all hands".

The wreck lies 3,000 m (9,800 ft) deep at 10°40′N 79°32′W / 10.667°N 79.533°W / 10.667; -79.533Coordinates: 10°40′N 79°32′W / 10.667°N 79.533°W / 10.667; -79.533.

There is a memorial to Surcouf in Cherbourg harbor.