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Photo Title: | Service for the men who died on the USS "Pollux" and USS "Truxtun", Argentia cemetery, Newfoundland |
Image No.: | PF-306.430 |
Image Location: | Box39/pf306_430.jpeg |
Date of Creation: | 1942 |
Physical Description: | 1 photograph : b&w ; 10.5 x 15.5 cm |
Biography/Admin History: | One of the worst natural shipping disasters of the war occurred at Lawn Point on the Burin Peninsula, Newfoundland, on 18 February 1942. The USS "Pollux" (AKS-2) and the USS "Truxtun" (DD-229), both bound for Argentia, Newfoundland, were off course and ran aground during a raging snowstorm. The valiant efforts of local residents saved the lives of several men. Two hundred and four men lost their lives in the tragedy; one hundred of whom were then buried in the Argentia cemetery. After the war, their bodies were exhumed and returned to the United States. In appreciation for the help given to the survivors by the residents of the Burin Peninsula, the United States Government later built a hospital there. |
Custodial History: | This photograph was collected by John Cardoulis from Mr. John Pappas of St. John's, Newfoundland. Mr. Cardoulis later donated it to the Maritime History Archive in 1997 as part of the John Cardoulis Photograph Collection. |
Collector: | John Cardoulis |
Source Donor: | Donated by John Cardoulis, 13 February 1997 |
Collection Title: | John Cardoulis Photograph Collection |
Associated Material: | John Cardoulis fonds |
Restrictions on Access: | Copyright expired. |
Copyright: | p |
Physical Condition: | Very good |
Notes: | Title taken from caption in "A Friendly Invasion", by John N. Cardoulis, page 147. |
Subjects: | Truxtun (Ship) / Pollux (Ship) / Shipwrecks--Newfoundland and Labrador / Cemeteries--Newfoundland and Labrador--Argentia. |