Last month, The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club hosted a presentation by Scott A. Grant on the infamous Nazi U-boat attack on the SS Gulfamerica. April 10 marked the 84th anniversary of the event, which took place less than four miles off the shore in Jacksonville Beach.
The Inn and Club played its part in the rescue attempts of the crew in the burning water. Nineteen men perished in the attack. The U-boat was successful at striking terror in the hearts of those who watched on the beach. Citizens were in shock that Nazi submarines were coming so close to the United States; the subs were sinking hundreds of our merchant vessels killing more than 3,000 Merchant Marines and Navy personnel.
The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club has a history marker that commemorates the event and, in the lobby, is displayed the models of both the SS Gulfamerica and the U-boat 123.
Grant is proud of his work with the Daughters of the American Revolution to erect a memorial in Oceanfront Park dedicated to the 19 men who lost their lives that night. The park is located on 1st Street South between 5th and 6th Avenues South.
Grant has perfected his presentation on the history of the SS Gulfamerica attack over the last decade. He has spoken to more than 300 civic clubs, libraries, museums and neighborhood communities.
Grant owns a local business, Standfast Asset Management. It is a boutique fiduciary managing more than $100 million in private equity stocks.
