Welcome to the first episode of our new series, “Ocean Echoes: North Carolina’s Shipwreck Chronicles.” In this series, we explore the mysterious and often tragic stories of shipwrecks along the North Carolina coast. Today, we start with the gripping tale of the Chilore, a vessel whose journey ended in tragedy during World War II.
The Fateful Night
On the night of July 15, 1942, the Chilore was part of convoy KS-520, navigating the treacherous waters off North Carolina. Between 20:20 and 20:25 hours, the German U-boat U-576 launched a deadly attack. Four torpedoes were fired; the first struck the Chilore, causing severe damage below the waterline.
A Series of Misfortunes
The hit reduced the Chilore’s speed to five knots, forcing it to fall behind the convoy. The convoy commodore on the J.A. Mowinckel, along with the USS Spry, decided to escort the Chilore to shallower waters for anchoring. Unbeknownst to them, a defensive US minefield lay ahead, extending in an arc from Cape Hatteras to Ocracoke Inlet.
As the ships headed towards the minefield, a US Navy blimp dropped smoke bombs to warn them. Tragically, the crew misinterpreted the smoke as a signal of nearby U-boats. Four hours after the initial torpedo strike, the Chilore hit two mines, causing further catastrophic damage.
The Aftermath
The explosions prompted part of the crew to attempt an unauthorized evacuation. In the chaos, two men fell overboard and drowned. Eventually, the remaining crew successfully abandoned ship and were rescued by a US Coast Guard vessel, which took them to Ocracoke.
The master of the Chilore stayed with the ship until the next morning. The vessel was later towed to Hatteras Inlet and beached. Although the J.A. Mowinckel also suffered mine damage, it was saved. The Chilore, however, capsized and sank near the entrance to Chesapeake Bay on July 24, 1942. Her wreck was sold for scrapping in August 1954.
A Legacy of Lessons
The story of the Chilore is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by maritime crews during wartime. Misunderstood signals, treacherous waters, and hidden minefields combined to create a fatal situation. This tale is just one of many that illustrate the perilous nature of naval navigation in the “Graveyard of the Atlantic.”
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Join us every Saturday!
We hope you enjoyed this deep dive into the history of Chilore. Be sure to join us every Saturday for more episodes of “Ocean Echoes: North Carolina’s Shipwreck Chronicles.” Each week, we’ll bring you new stories of sunken ships, maritime mysteries, and the brave souls who sailed them. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on our latest episodes.
Thank you for joining us on this journey through history. Until next time, stay curious and keep exploring!
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