Remembering World War II

William Alfred Murphy

Sources: Benjidog Historical Research uboat.net findagrave

William Alfred Murphy Mess Room Boy Canadian Merchant Navy SS San Emiliano (British Motor Tanker) January 1, 1924 Bedford, Halifax Co., Nova Scotia August 9, 1942 18 Halifax Memorial Commemorated on Page 199 of the Merchant Navy Book of Remembrance Displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower in Ottawa on April 20, September 17, and November 23 William Alfred Murphy was the son of William Patrick Murphy (1897-1951) and Alice Maude (Folks) Murphy (1900–1956) of Halifax, Nova Scotia. William Alfred Murphy joined the crew of the SS San Emiliano, owned by the Eagle Oil and Shipping Company Ltd, London, serving as a Mess Room Boy. SS San Emiliano was en-route from Trinidad to Capetown with a cargo of 11,500 tons of 100 octane aviation gasoline. On August 9, 1942 the ship was off the coast of South America when it encountered U-155 about 450 miles west of Trinidad. The ship was hit by two torpedoes, and sank in flames after breaking in two. “The weather was fine and visibility good but very dark, there was a slight sea and swell with light airs. The first torpedo struck under the bridge on the starboard side, followed about 20 seconds later by another torpedo which struck also on the starboard side in the pump room about 60ft. abaft the bridge. I was in my cabin at the time and heard a loud humming noise just before the first torpedo exploded, I thought we were being dive bombed, but on hearing the second explosion I realised we had been torpedoed. Both explosions were very noisy but I am unable to say whether any water was thrown up or if there was a flash. The first torpedo appeared to strike deep down, splitting the ship open and covering the decks with gasoline, while the second one set fire to the ship, and within half a minute the vessel was a blazing inferno from the bridge aft; the crew abaft the bridge had no hope of surviving.” (From an Account of the event by Chief Officer Thomas Finch) The master, 33 crew members and six gunners were lost. Eight surviving crew members were picked up by the United States troopship General Thomas S. Jessop. The name of William Alfred Murphy is listed on the Halifax Memorial, Halifax, Nova Scotia.