Local historian Scott Grant delivered a presentation on Thursday, March 8 at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club on the 1942 Nazi U-boat sinking of the SS Gulf America oil tanker less than 10 miles off the coast of Jacksonville Beach.
During his presentation, Grant recanted the story of Captain Reinhard Hardegen – a German submarine commander responsible for sinking 24 merchant ships in World War II – and the damage he inflicted with his U-123 submarine. Taking place on April 10, 1942, Grant said the sinking of the SS Gulf America was the worst homeland disaster in American history that took more lives than 9/11 or Pearl Harbor.
The local historian who leads Standfast Asset Management is dedicated to educating the public on this war story through presentations and question and answer sessions.
